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Revised November 2008
1.
Volunteerism
Projects which have paid staff but involve
significant and continuous community
volunteer support to enhance their existing
programs will be favorably considered.
2. Discrimination
The South Dakota Community Foundation
closely scrutinizes all grant proposals for
discriminatory practices. Funding will be
based on the needs of the individuals being
served by the grant.
3. Innovation
The South Dakota Community Foundation funds
ongoing, well established projects as well
as innovative projects designed to address
existing community needs in innovative ways.
Staff is available, on a limited basis, to
work with communities to address those needs
and to offer assistance in arriving at
solutions.
4. Fund Distribution
Disregarding the endowed funds designated
for specific charitable purposes, the
remainder of the funds should be distributed
statewide to best meet the needs of the
statewide constituency. Grantmaking
decisions will be made by the South Dakota
Community Foundation Board of Directors
based upon their evaluation and the
recommendations of the grantmaking committee
and staff.
5. Operating Expense for Governmental
Entities
No South Dakota Community Foundation funds
will be awarded to subsidize operating
expenses for governmental entities.
6. Project Longevity
The South Dakota Community Foundation
recognizes that there are worthy projects
that begin and end the same calendar year.
Projects that are ongoing are encouraged but
multi-year funding is low priority.
7. Seed Grants
Applications requesting start up money must
provide feasibility data indicating a need
for the project, support for the project and
the ongoing probability of success.
8. Capital Improvements
Due to the limited amount of annual
discretionary funds and the rising cost of
building and remodeling, capital bricks and
mortar projects generally will not be
funded. The Foundation generally will not
provide transportation vehicles or equipment
purchases over $10,000.
9. Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is funded only as a
part of the grant when it is used to achieve
project objectives.
10. Loans
No loans are awarded by the South Dakota
Community Foundation.
11. Minimum Awards
Grant applications requesting $2000 or more
will be considered. Exceptions to this
figure will be considered based upon the
merit of the proposal.
12. Multi-Year Funding
Generally only proposals for one year will
be considered by the Grantmaking Committee.
If projects require more than one year to
accomplish their objectives, they should
submit a letter with the first year
application indicating their intent to
request additional years of funding. No
guarantee of continued funding will be
communicated until subsequent grant
applications are reviewed. Once initiated
under Foundation funding, projects with good
track records should be considered favorably
in subsequent grant decisions. No more than
three years of sequential grant funding
shall be awarded to any one grantee for the
same purpose.
13. Challenge or Matching Grants
The South Dakota Community Foundation
encourages matching funds from all grant
applicants. When the Grantmaking Committee
perceives the need for more local
involvement and support of a given project
in order to establish ownership in the
community, it may require challenge grants
in any proportion. Funding may be contingent
upon acquisition of the required matching
money. There may be times when the South
Dakota Community Foundation perceives a need
is not being met, may issue a challenge
grant or request for proposal to participate
in a challenge grant to address that need.
14. Applicant Stability
The South Dakota Community Foundation
Grantmaking Committee should establish a
balance of new and well established projects
to fund with neither predominating.
Regardless of duration, ability to be
accountable for Foundation funds will be a
determining factor.
15. Public or Private
The Grantmaking Committee will concentrate
on funding public non profit corporations,
but not to the exclusion of organizations
which meet grant guidelines.
16. Partnerships
Applications received from partnership
applications of two or more organizations
will be considered if their proposal meets
the guidelines of the Foundation. However,
communications and accountability must be
established with one organization.
17. Exceptions
The Grantmaking Committee may make an
exception to any printed policy upon motion
duly made, seconded and carried by 2/3 of
the members present and voting. Motion must
state rationale for the exception.
Exceptions taken in one instance do not
constitute precedent exceptions for future
grant decisions.
18. Grant Review Process
Letters of Inquiry (LOI) will be accepted
throughout the year. The Foundation will
respond to all applicants in a timely
manner. Those LOI’s which do not fit the
mission of the Foundation, or clearly do not
qualify will be eliminated by staff.
Following review of the LOI, applicants may
be invited to complete a full grant
application. All grant applications will be
forwarded by staff to the Grantmaking
Committee. The Grantmaking Committee will
review the applications, prioritize the
applications and make their recommendations
to the full board. The full board will
review the recommendations of the
Grantmaking Committee and approve the
awards.
19. Communications with Applicants
All applicants will be informed in writing
in a timely manner of any action taken on
their grant application. The Grantmaking
Committee will hold decisions in confidence
until publicly announced by the South Dakota
Community Foundation.
20. Due Diligence
A due diligence form shall be completed and
returned to the Foundation before any grant
funds are disbursed. Applicants shall inform
the Foundation office in writing of any
significant changes in grant applicant
status, organizational status or project
status. Funding may be reviewed based upon
the significance of changes in project
status.
21. Final Evaluation Report
A final evaluation report shall be submitted
to the Foundation office immediately
following project completion. A grant file
is considered complete only after the final
evaluation report is received in the
Foundation office, and until received, no
additional grant requests will be
considered.
22. Re-applications
Multiple or repeat applications from one
organization in less than a twelve month
period are not allowed.
23. Verification
Organizations applying for funds from
the South Dakota Community Foundation must
be verified by the Internal Revenue Service
under Publication 78.
Grant applications are received on a
revolving basis. Applicants are notified
by our office approximately 60 days of
receipt of the completed application and
all necessary attachments required by
the applicant. |
