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STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ENGAGEMENTS What’s a change agent model?
What’s a “tipping point opportunity?”
Why does the Community Foundation focus its grant making funds on a limited amount of opportunities?
COMPETITIVE FUNDS
What's the best way to make initial contact with the Community Foundation?
How often do you consider grant proposals for competitive funds?
Who decides whether to fund competitive grant proposals?
To whom should proposals for competitive funds be addressed?
Can multiple program within a consortium or umbrella organization apply in the same grant cycle using the same 501(c)(3) registration document?
My organization doesn't meet all of the requirements as outlined in the competitive grant guidelines. May we still apply?
Will the Community Foundation accept proposals from organizations that are not registered with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations?
Do competitive grant guidelines ever change?
Should hard copy documents be submitted with my organization's proposal? Are these documents required?
How will I know whether you received a proposal from our organization?
How and when will I know whether my organization has received a grant?
The Community Foundation declined to fund our proposal. Will we be able to submit the same proposal the following year?
What are the responsibilities of grantee organizations?
How do I publicize my grant?
Does the Community Foundation want to be included on our organization's mailing list? STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ENGAGEMENTS What’s a change agent model?
The Community Foundation is a change agent that identifies and acts on opportunities to improve Lancaster County in profound and impactful ways.
The change agent model indicates the following for the Lancaster County Community Foundation: - We engage in “transformational philanthropy” by seeking out and acting on opportunities rather than addressing problems or needs
- We serve as a catalyst and facilitator to identify and act on opportunities
- Our approach is always highly collaborative and defined by community stakeholders; at no time do we own a Strategic Initiative
- We define our commitment as support, voice, resources, expertise, partners, knowledge, and access
- We are committed to knowledge sharing
Return to Top What’s a “tipping point opportunity?”
“The theory of tipping points hinges on the insight that . . . fundamental changes can occur quickly when the beliefs and energies of a critical mass of people create an epidemic movement toward an idea.”
“The theory of tipping points . . . is well known: it hinges on the insight that . . . once the beliefs and energies of a critical mass of people are engaged, conversion to a new idea will spread like an epidemic, bringing about fundamental change very quickly. The theory suggests that such a movement can be unleashed only by agents who make unforgettable and unarguable calls for change, who concentrate their resources on what really matters, who mobilize the commitment of . . . key players, and who succeed in silencing the most vocal naysayer’s.”
W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, “Tipping Point Leadership.” Harvard Business Review on Leading Through Change. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 2006. 19-44. To determine our current Strategic Initiatives, the Community Foundation’s board of directors utilized these “tipping point” indicators: - The right people are willing to come to the table because they are “ready”
- The engagement can achieve critical mass due to recognized importance
- Sufficient research has been conducted and is accepted
- There is recognition and a voicing by the necessary stakeholders and/or publics
- Greater impact with the same or fewer resources can be achieved
Return to Top Why does the Community Foundation focus its grant making funds on a limited amount of opportunities? - The focus of the strategic initiatives is to effect broad community change. This is most likely "system change" work with a limited amount of partners committed to change over a handful of years. This type of work is time and funding intensive. The Community Foundation works to leverage our limited resources for optimal community impact. For more questions about our strategic initiatives, contact our Program department at 397-1629.
- Significant staff time will be required to facilitate the planning process for the Strategic Initiatives and to implement related action steps.
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COMPETITIVE FUNDS
What's the best way to make initial contact with the Community Foundation?
If you represent a new organization in the community, an organization that hasn't applied to the Lancaster County Community Foundation in the past, or you're a new executive director, development director or grant writer, call our Program department at 397-1629 to introduce yourself.
Depending on the situation we may want to schedule a time to visit to learn more about your organization’s mission. Return to Top How often do you consider proposals for competitive funds?
The Community Foundations awards competitive grants several times per year. Please refer to the "Grant Opportunities" page for dates of an upcoming grant cycle. Please note that all dates are subject to change. Return to Top Who decides whether a proposal for competitive funds will receive a grant?
Since 1924, the Community Foundation has been the living legacy of hundreds of local donors who have entrusted us with their assets. We create extraordinary community, in part, by funding projects that are likely to significantly increase the quality of life of residents and to build social capital.
For this reason, and because grant requests typically exceed the funds that we have available to grant, we strongly believe in the judicious evaluation of funding proposals through a competitive process.
The Community Foundation staff, community volunteers, and ultimately, our Board of Directors, evaluate proposals thoroughly before determining the projects that we feel are most likely to meet our mission. Return to Top To whom should proposals be addressed?
Proposals must be submitted electronically using our online submission process. Questions should be directed to our Program department at 397-1629.
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Can multiple programs within a consortium or umbrella organization apply in the same grant cycle using the same 501(c)(3) registration document?
Yes. Organizations with multiple programs may apply to multiple competitive funds as long as they meet the Community Foundation's funding criteria. Please review the competitive grant guidelines and the criteria for each fund to determine the fund that aligns best with your program. A proposal for the same program cannot be submitted to multiple funds. Return to Top My organization doesn't meet all of the requirements as outlined in the Competitive Grant Guidelines. May we still apply?
The easiest way to determine whether your organization or project is eligible for funds is to contact our Program department prior to beginning the proposal. Return to Top Will the Community Foundation accept proposals from organizations that are not registered with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations?
Pennsylvania law requires that charitable organizations that are eligible for Community Foundation funds register with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations, an agency under the jurisdiction of the Department of State.
In accordance with state law, the Community Foundation requires that all applicant organizations register with the Bureau, except for organizations that are not required to register (examples include schools and libraries). Additional information is available at the Pennsylvania Department of State. Please do not contact the Community Foundation for information about Bureau policy or registration. Return to Top Do grant guidelines ever change?
The Community Foundation was designed to evolve in step with the community. Changes in the needs and opportunities available to residents influence our competitive grant guidelines and social change efforts, just as technological innovations can lead to revisions in our proposal process.
We will utilize various communications tools, such as our website and e-mail, to update the community on the evolution of our organization. These tools present the simplest and most convenient opportunities for interested parties to stay abreast of changes at the Community Foundation. If you have any questions, please contact our Program Department at 397-1629. Return to Top Should I send any printed documents with my organization's proposal? Are these documents required?
Yes, applicant organizations are required to submit an electronic copy of their 501 (c)(3) certificate, a PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations registration form, their most recent audited financial statement, current fiscal year budget and current board of directors roster no later than the due date of the proposal unless otherwise noted on our website. Return to Top How will I know whether you received a proposal from my organization?
Applicant organizations will receive a receipt via e-mail to verify that their proposal has been received by the Community Foundation. If an organization does not receive an e-mail receipt within 24 hours, please call 397-1629. Return to Top How and when will I know whether my organization has received a grant?
Applicants will be contacted by mail when final decisions are made. The announcement dates can be found in our grant brochure. Return to Top The Community Foundation declined to fund our proposal. Will we be able to submit the same proposal the following year?
A variety of factors including the number of grant proposals that we receive and the competition in a given grant cycle can effect whether a proposal receives a grant. Organizations that wish to re-submit a proposal that was declined in a prior funding cycle must contact our Program department, prior to re-submitting the proposal. Return to Top What are the responsibilities of grantee organizations?
In order to be effective stewards of the community’s trust, the Community Foundation requires grantee organizations to implement projects in a manner that is consistent with the original proposal of the grant and regularly report on their project through the steps outlined in the policies and procedures document that accompanies a grant contract. All grantees must submit the required reports and invoices to successfully complete a grant.
How do I publicize my grant?
As a Community Foundation, our impact is directly related to the meaningful programs of our partners, and it is important that the public is aware of our partnerships. When the good news of your grant is spread, there are many benefits, and you recieve positive attention for your important work in the community.
We do ask that you use our logo and identify the Community Foundation as a partnering organization with any communication related to your grant. Many partnering organizations have included our logo in e-newsletters, print newsletters, advertisements and on their websites. For questions about logo usage or when to recognize the Community Foundation, please contact Diana Martin, Communications Specialist, at 397-1629. Return to Top Does the Community Foundation want to be included on our organization's mailing list?
Nonprofit organizations based in Lancaster County should feel free to add the Community Foundation to their organization's mailing list. Return to Top
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