-
Volunteerism
Projects which have paid staff but
involve significant and continuous
community volunteer support to enhance
their existing programs will be
favorably considered.
-
Discrimination
Applications from agencies offering
services exclusively to one gender, age
group or race will be closely
scrutinized for discriminatory
practices. Funding will be based on the
needs of the individuals being served.
-
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.
-
Fund Distribution
Disregarding the advised funds
designated for various communities, 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.
-
Operating Expense for Public Service
Agencies (Gov't)
No South Dakota Community Foundation
funds will be awarded to subsidize
operating expenses for public service
agencies.
-
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.
-
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. Only those projects likely to
succeed will be funded.
-
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. The Foundation
encourages communities to create advised
funds within the South Dakota Community
Foundation.
-
Technical Assistance
Technical assistance is funded only as a
part of the grant when it is used to
achieve project objectives.
-
Loans
No loans are awarded by the South Dakota
Community Foundation.
-
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.
-
Multi-Year Funding
Only proposals for one year will be
considered by the Foundation Board. 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.
-
Challenge or Matching Grants
The South Dakota Community Foundation
encourages matching funds from all grant
applicants. When the Board 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.
-
Applicant Stability
The South Dakota Community Foundation
board 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.
-
Public or Private
The Board will concentrate on funding
public non profit corporations, but not
to the exclusion of organizations which
meet grant guidelines.
-
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.
-
Exceptions
The Board 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 decision.
-
Grant Review Process
Grant applications will be accepted
throughout the year. The Foundation will
respond to all applicants in a timely
manner. Those applications which do not
fit the mission of the Foundation, or
clearly do not qualify will be
eliminated by staff. A listing of all
grant applications and applications
assigned high or medium priority will be
forwarded by staff to the Grantmaking
Committee and other board members. The
Grantmaking Committee will review the
applications and staff comments,
prioritize the applications and make
their recommendations to the full board.
The full board will review the
recommendations of the Grantmaking
Committee and make the awards.
-
Communications with Applicants
All applicants will be informed in
writing within two weeks of Board
approval or disapproval of their
application. The Board will hold
decisions in confidence until publicly
announced by the South Dakota Community
Foundation Executive Director or
Chairperson.
-
Final Evaluation Report
A final evaluation report shall be
submitted to the Foundation office
immediately following project completion
where Foundation funds were used.
Applicants shall inform the Foundation
office in writing of any significant
changes in grant applicant status,
organizational status or project
implementation information. When
informed of such changes, the Foundation
may require a site visit to monitor
progress, determine difficulties and
provide consultation regarding
accomplishment of project objectives.
Continued funding may be reviewed based
upon findings from the site visit which
shall be communicated in writing to the
Board as soon as possible.
-
Re-applications
Multiple or repeat applications from one
organization in less than a twelve month
period are discouraged.
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.
