GRANT GUIDELINES

Grant requests in the subject areas of women and children are accepted by the Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson each spring from nonprofit organizations, governmental entities, churches and schools in Hinds, Madison and Rankin Counties in Central Mississippi. An organization may apply for a specific project or operational support. This year's deadline was February 15, 2007. Applications are NOT being accepted at this time.

As a guide for your request, in our inaugural year, the Women's Fund made seven grants, averaging about $3,000 each.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

To apply for funding from the Women's Fund, open the application form here. Re-type the requested information on your computer, save it as a Microsoft Word-compatible file, and either e-mail the file as an attachment to info@womensfundms.org or mail it on an IBM-formatted computer disc to Women's Fund, 525 East Capitol Street, Suite 5B, Jackson, MS 39201.

If you do not possess a computer and e-mail account, Internet access is available at no cost to you at your local library. Many services, such as Yahoo and Hotmail, offer free e-mail accounts.

Each organization may submit only one application per year.

A certification form available on the Web site here should be printed out, completed, signed and mailed to the Fund. Your application submission is not complete until this form has been received.

SELECTION PROCESS AND NOTIFICATION

Upon receipt of proposals, Fund staff and Grants Committee members will conduct a thorough study of each proposal. Site visits may be scheduled. If the Committee determines that additional information is needed, you will be contacted.

All applicants will be notified by mail or e-mail of the result of their application around late April or early May. We regret that we cannot respond to calls in reference to application status.

In assessing the merits of each grant proposal, the Committee considers many items, including the extent to which your request addresses a community need. Special consideration may be given to those proposals that reflect substantive collaborations among various organizations or agencies, a special opportunity or new approach in a field, or a commitment to bringing together different segments of the community. Applicants should keep in mind that the Fund receives many more requests than it can possibly fund.

The Committee may consider additional criteria when reviewing an application, including whether the proposal:

  • demonstrates foresight and careful planning for long-term impact
  • articulates clear, measurable goals
  • includes an evaluation plan by which goals are measured
  • reflects appropriate racial, ethnic or religious diversity in governance, personnel, planning, population served or content
  • reflects sufficient organizational and managerial capacity to carry out the project
  • reflects inclusive and strategic planning in line with the Fund's mission

    RESTRICTIONS
    The Fund does not fund items such as parties, t-shirts or evangelical activities. Priority will be given to grant proposals that reflect frugal and efficient use of monies. Additional items not requested in the application are not to be attached. Incomplete applications will not be considered, and providing false information on an application is cause for denial. By submitting an application, you are agreeing to the following:
  • 1. Funds received will be expended only for the purposes stated in the grant application and in accordance with section 501(c)(3), section 4945 and other applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • 2. The Fund may monitor and conduct an evaluation of operations under this grant, including requesting financial records related to the grant or your tax status, which must be provided in a timely manner if requested.
  • 3. You must immediately notify the Fund of any change in your organization's federal tax status or that of your fiscal agent during the time the funds are being spent.
  • 4. The grant may be discontinued, modified or withheld if, in the Fund's sole judgment, such action is necessary.
  • 5. At the conclusion of the grant period, a written report describing the activities carried out and benefits to the community from the grant usage must be submitted to the Fund.
  • 6. No funds from the Fund may be used for propaganda purposes, to influence legislation, to influence the outcome of an election, or for direct or indirect use in a voter registration drive.
  • 7. Any request for a change in purpose of use of grant funds must be submitted in writing to the Fund and approved before said changes may take effect.
  • 8. Any portion of grant funds not used in accordance with these terms must be returned to the Fund.
  • 9. Publicity around the grant award is encouraged. Any promotional materials, press releases, etc. produced in connection with or to publicize the funded program should note that it was funded in part or sponsored by the Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson. It is suggested that the Fund logo be used in such publications, and we will be happy to supply it to you.

    For further information or clarification, please e-mail or fax questions to info@womensfundms.org or 974-6045.

    TO PROCEED TO THE ACTUAL APPLICATION, PLEASE CLICK HERE.