Step 1: Determine Your Eligibility
The first step in applying for a grant is to determine whether your organization fits the Bethany Fund requirements for grantees. To be eligible for a grant, you must meet the following requirements:
• Your organization is tax-exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or is a government or public sector entity.
• Your organization is not a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is also not a Type I or Type II supporting organization.
• Your organization is not a private foundation, and you are not applying for funds for an endowment, or a donor-advised fund. Your application is also not being submitted for a private provider or as an individual.
• Your organization is not requesting an award to support fundraising events, advertising or other for-profit business ventures, medical research or national health agency appeals, individual daycare center operations, large capital campaigns, or propaganda organizations or committees whose efforts are aimed at influencing legislation.
• Your organization's mission and project that will be proposed does align with one or more of the four Bethany Fund's Priority Areas for funding (employment and training, school-dropout prevention, diabetes, violence prevention).
• The main office of your organization is located within one of the five Bethany Fund Communities (Austin, Garfield Park, Humboldt Park and North Lawndale), and the services provided will be located primarily within the Bethany Fund Communities.
• Your organization is seeking a grant for a program and not a capital request. NOTE: A small amount of capital (including the renovation of facilities, repairs, as well as the purchase of equipment, etc.), may be included as part of your program grant; however, total cost of capital request should not exceed $5,000.
• In policy and practice, my organization offers opportunity and service to all, regardless of age, race, creed, gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation and ethnicity.
• Your organization is not requesting funds soley for a one-time event/service.
Step 2: Attend a LOI Meeting
Though not mandatory, we do encourage all new applicants interested in applying for a grant from the Bethany Fund to attend an LOI informational meeting. This meeting will provide detailed information about what the Bethany Fund is looking for from a successful applicant. Click here for LOI meeting dates.
Step 3: Submit an LOI
Submit a complete Letter of Intent (LOI) packet. The deadline for submitting a 2013 LOI for funding in 2014 is Friday, April 12 at 5 pm. All LOI packets must be complete in order to be considered for funding. A complete LOI packet consists of an LOI application and supporting documents. LOI packets must be submitted via commercial carrier or U.S. mail. Walk-ins and late submissions will not be accepted. Incomplete packets will also be immediately declined. Please click on Letter of Intent (LOI) for a complete copy of the LOI application and information about required supporting documentation.
Step 4: Review
If your request for funding meets the Bethany Fund's basic guidelines, your LOI packet will be submitted for review. Your LOI will be reviewed over an approximate two-month period. During this time, program staff may contact you by phone or site visit, or request you to send additional material. Applicants will be notified about the status of their LOI submission by Friday, June 28, 2013.
Step 5: Submit a Full Proposal
If your LOI has been accepted, your organization will be invited to submit a full proposal. The Bethany Fund staff will contact you in writing and will mail you a full proposal application package. Please note that though your LOI application has been approved, you are not guaranteed to receive a grant from the Bethany Fund. All applicants who have been invited to submit a full proposal may attend a Request for Proposals (RFP) informational meeting, which will provide more detailed information about what is required from the Bethany Fund in order to submit a successful proposal. Though the informational meeting is not required, it is strongly encouraged. Click on Informational Meeting/Workshops for information about meeting dates.
The deadline for submission of all proposals is Friday, August 30 at 5 pm. All proposals must be complete in order to be considered for funding. All proposals must be submitted via commercial carrier or U.S. mail. Walk-ins and late submissions will not be accepted. Incomplete packets will also be immediately declined. Copies of full proposals may only be obtained by contacting the Bethany Fund staff directly. Your full proposal will be reviewed over an approximate three-month period. PLEASE NOTE: Only organizations whose LOIs have been approved may submit full proposals for funding.
Step 6: Award Decisions
The Bethany Fund Board of Directors will review applications and make final decisions regarding 2013 awards by Friday, November 29, 2013.
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