Community Development Grant Workshop 2 0 1 4 COL L A B O R AT I V E - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Community Development Grant Workshop

2 0 1 4 COL L A B O R AT I V E GRANT ORIENTAT ION OC TOBER 8 , 2 0 1 3

RISE’S MISSION

Work in partnership with community‐based and other

• rganizations to redevelop and strengthen neighborhoods and

communities.

AGENDA

CDC Capacity Building and Collaborative Grant Program Overview Applicant Eligibility Setting the Stage: Fund Development Best Practices Key Themes for Effective Grant‐Seeking Program Timeline and Process Question/Answer Session

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PURPOSE

Provide an overview of the 2014 Collaborative Grant Program and offer technical assistance that fosters

• rganizational capacity‐building and effective grant‐seeking

strategies.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

• Providing insight into Rise’s CDC Capacity Building and Collaborative Grant

Program ‐‐‐‐ (Understanding the 2014 Collaborative Grant application and process)

• Best Practices ‐
• Making sure your organization is ready to accept grant funds
• Informing on what it takes to be a successful grantee
• Identifying and linking outputs as well as projecting and measuring
• utcomes for grant performance and effectiveness

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COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Brian Hurd Technical Assistance Program Manager

CDC CAPACITY BUILDING AND COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM

• CDC CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM
• With the support of local banks and foundations, and local and

federal government agencies, Rise provides capacity building technical assistance to St. Louis area community development corporations (CDCs).

• Rise’s capacity building programs help CDCs successfully

undertake the revitalization of neighborhoods. Capacity building includes individualized technical assistance as well as group training classes for CDCs.

• Individualized technical assistance focuses on six core areas of
• rganizational capacity development: 1) Aspirations; 2)

Strategies; 3) Organizational Skills; 4) Human Resources; 5) Systems and Infrastructure; and 6) Organizational Structure

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CDC CAPACITY BUILDING AND COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM

• Partial list of individualized organizational capacity services –
• Organizational Strategic Planning
• Mapping, Data and Demographic Services
• Board Development Planning
• Project and Feasibility Analysis and Planning
• Financial Management Services
• Outcome Measurement and Performance Analysis
• Community Engagement Planning
• Marketing and Fund Development Advisory Services
• Human Resource Advisory Services

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CDC CAPACITY BUILDING AND COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM

• COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM
• Focuses on providing financial resources coupled with technical

assistance to build the capacity and sustainability of local CDCs.

• Since 1998, the program has awarded approximately $2.8 million in

grants to nearly 20 CDCs.

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CDC CAPACITY BUILDING AND COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM

• To date, 14 funders have contributed financial resources to the program
• Participating funders become members of the CDC Capacity Building and

Collaborative Grant Program Oversight Committee and work closely on grant awards and related capacity building activities conducted by Rise staff in working with grant recipients

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CDC CAPACITY BUILDING AND COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM

• For members of the Oversight Committee that represent banks and

financial institutions, the program helps them establish partnerships, such as those with CDCs, that can help meet the three Community Reinvestment Acts (CRA) tests: Lending Test, Investment Test, and Service Test

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CDC CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM Provides technical assistance and

• rganizational

training to local CDCs. COLLABORATIVE GRANT PROGRAM Provides financial support for place‐based community projects and partnerships.

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Rise seeks to partner with local Community Development Corporations to identify those neighborhoods that could benefit from our work.

APPLICANT ELGIBILITY

Community Development Corporations (CDCs) with a place‐based mission, serving St. Louis County, the City of St. Louis, Madison County, IL and St. Clair County, IL. The Collaborative Grant Program is designed to support place‐based projects and collaborations, not general operating costs.

ELIGIBILITY

• Critique of eligibility relative to:
• Compatibility of your organization’s mission and organizational

strategic plan

• Place‐based community need/population served
• Organizational leadership and participation
• Collaboration (Networking or referrals is not collaboration)
• Track record
• Financial accountability (accurate budgeting is a factor)
• Potential place‐based impact and outcomes
• Firm and committed leveraging

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

Broadly used and defined term but Rise and its current funders of the program identify it being consistent as a nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status that serves and has a place‐based strategy for a defined target area. The primary purpose is to encourage and promote the industrial, economic, entrepreneurial, commercial and civic development or redevelopment of a community or area, including the provision of housing and community economic development projects that benefit low‐income individuals and communities.

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PLACE‐BASED APPROACH

Place‐based initiatives take a comprehensive approach to community development and aim to revitalize multiple aspects of an entire neighborhood to create lasting change for its residents

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ELIGIBILITY

• Previously funded place‐based initiatives under the Collaborative Grant

Program

• Example 1 – Grantee’s summer youth employment and neighborhood

beautification program (targeted geographic area where there was a need to address several issues – physical appearance, seniors, service delivery, public safety, costs, community engagement, jobs and employment training skills)

• Rise’s technical assistance and capacity building activities included –

customer satisfaction surveys and analysis, data management system for tracking and auditing (human resource management), youth pre – and post test self‐esteem assessment tool to help determine job readiness and skill development

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ELIGIBILITY

• Example 2 – Property management software and conversion.
• Grantee has a portfolio of market rate and affordable rental housing in

specific neighborhoods. The software is able to help the organization with its accounting systems and reporting, process maintenance orders faster and electronically reducing response and turnaround time for repairs.

• Rise technical assistance capacity building was provided to the Grantee on

integrating the software, development of data management systems, producing better property management reports. The increase capacity is allowing the Grantee to be more competitive as a property management firm, specifically with its market rate units because of a better operating performance.

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ELIGIBILITY

• Example 3 – LIHTC to Homeownership Conversion
• The Grantee used Collaborative Grant funds that helped leverage a larger

source of funds in collaboration with a local credit union. The combined funds are helping the Grantee with capital improvements to its Low Income Housing Tax Credit homes that have gone through the 15 year compliance period in addition to providing mortgage and closing cost assistance allowing the homes to be sold to the currents residents that are in good standing.

• Rise technical assistance capacity building was provided to assist the

Grantee with its LIHTC to homeownership conversion program ensuring compliance with the state’s housing finance agency.

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CDC CAPACITY BUILDING AND COLLABOARTIVE GRANT PROGRAM

Rise

Oversight Committee Grantees

COLLABORATIVE PLACE‐BASED COMMUNITY IMPACT

SETTING THE STAGE: FUND DEVELOPMENT BEST PRACTICES

Larry Perlmutter Communications and Development Manager

Sustainability and Capacity Fund Development as defined by NSC/Nonprofit Services Center :

Fund development is the process by which organizations use fundraising to build capacity and sustainability. Fund development is a part of the strategic marketing of a nonprofit organization. It is concerned not only with raising money, but doing so in a way that develops reliable sources of income that will sustain the organization through the realization of its long term mission and vision.

How Are Nonprofits Funded?

S o u r c e s o f R e v e n u e f o r R e p o r t i n g P u b l i c C h a r i t i e s 2 0 0 9

T h e N o n p r o f i t S e c t o r i n B r i e f, 2 0 1 1 N a t i o n a l C e n t e r f o r C h a r i t a b l e S t a t i s t i c s , T h e U r b a n I n s t i t u t e F r o m G r a n t S p a c e , a s e r v i c e o f t h e F o u n d a t i o n C e n t e r

Other 2.10% Government Grants 8.9% Private Contributions 13.6% Fees for Services & Goods from Government 23.2% Fees for Services & Goods from Private Sources 52.4%

The Funding Pie – National Data From 2012

L o u i s i a n a A s s o c i a t i o n s o f N o n p r o f i t O r g a n i z a t i o n s “ E s t a b l i s h i n g a d i v e r s e a n d w e l l ‐ r o u n d e d r e v e n u e s t r a t e g y f o r y o u r n o n p r o f i t o r g a n i z a t i o n .”

Corporations 5% Foundations 14% Bequests 8% Individual Giving 73%

The Competitive Climate – Best Practices

There are many local grantors that are competitive locally and nationally. Learn best practices. Once you have a strong proposal you can use the information for many other grants.

Excerpt from United Way’s Quality Standards:

• The agency’s revenue streams are sufficiently diverse to assure continuance of operations.
• The agency takes proactive action in the event of a disruption of planned revenue or unusual expenses.

Excerpt from Community Development Block Grant Application:

• If you plan to seek other funding to supplement CDBG funding, describe the sources to which

you will apply, the amounts you intend to seek, anticipated date of award and the proposed use of the funds. Please also list any funding already secured for the proposed activity (by source and amount).

• Due to federal budget cuts, the total amount of CDBG funds awarded by the City for 2014 may be reduced.

Describe, in detail, what changes the organization would make in the proposed activity if awarded only 70%

• f the requested amount.

Resources :

• www.grants.gov
• www.nonprofitservices.org
• M. Brad Smith – Nonprofit Resource Manager/St. Charles City‐County Library District ‐ Fundraising and

Prospecting Resources 636‐441‐0794, ext. 1445 bsmith@stchlibrary.org

• The Grants & Foundation Center of the St. Louis Public Library,

314‐539‐0357, e‐mail: kparks@slpl.org Located on the 2nd floor of Central Library, Social Sciences Room (directly east of the Great Hall) 1301 Olive,

• St. Louis, MO 63103

The Process Will Build Capacity ‐ Our Goal at Rise

Start by writing strong proposals and giving funders what they ask for. Funders want to see diverse funding streams. They want to know you are supported by

• ther sources or

see planning to seek funding elsewhere (I.E.

• ther applications

submitted or plans to do so). You need to build credibility for your

• rganization and

build a group of supporters who will vouch for your success. Be prepared to demonstrate how you will run your program if not fully funded. Especially important being funded for the first time. Evaluation counts. Keep what you want to learn and evaluate in mind, as well the assessment tools you will use to evaluate your project (e.g., records, surveys, interviews, pre‐ and post‐tests).

Organizational Capacity

KEY THEMES FOR EFFECTIVE GRANT‐SEEKING

Rick Bonasch Director of Technical Assistance Eleanor Tutt Data Management Coordinator

THREE KEY THEMES

While Rise will be scoring all responses based on the point system detailed in the application, there are three key themes that are critical to success in this application process. 1) Partnerships & Collaboration 2) Leveraged & Realistic Budget 3) Measurable Outcomes Note that these are areas many other funders are interested in as well.

PARTNERSHIP & COLLABORATION

APPLICATION LANGUAGE

Applications from two or more organizations are encouraged. If you are proposing a collaboration or partnership initiative with this application, please describe the roles of each partner in completing the project. Required for consideration: Commitment Letter(s) from any partnering or collaborating

• rganizations referenced in this application

FORMING STRONG PARTNERSHIPS

• Ensure partnership is mutually beneficial and aligns with each
• rganization’s strategic plan and/or objectives
• Come to an agreement on shared goals and how to measure

progress

• Seek out partners who bring unique strengths to the collaboration
• Consider a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to

solidify the partnership and clarify expectations. (This is not required.)

FISCAL AGENTS

• If an applicant is partnering with another organization, the lead

applicant organization will serve as fiscal agent for the grant.

CO‐APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY

• Co‐applicants may be, but are not required to be, other CDCs

and/or community‐based non‐profit organizations

• If your organization does not meet the eligibility requirements to

be a lead applicant, you must collaborate with an eligible CDC with complementary goals

LEVERAGED & REALISTIC BUDGET

APPLICATION LANGUAGE

Please provide an itemized budget including all funding leveraging the proposed Collaborative grant. Describe how you will leverage Rise Collaborative Grant funds to increase the scope of the activity being

• funded. Be specific about the amounts and sources of other funds to

be used. Please indicate whether proposed leveraging funds are approved or pending applications. Budgeted expenses must equal budgeted

• revenues. Co‐applicants may be, but are not required to be, other

CDCs and/or community‐based non‐profit organizations

APPLICATION SAMPLE BUDGET FORMAT

SOURCE COMMITTED (yes or no) AMOUNT Collaborative Grant Request (should equal amount of application) Secured Funds Pending Funds Total Sources EXPENSE AMOUNT Salaries and Benefits Supplies Printing and Publication Other Other Total Expenses

MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

APPLICATION LANGUAGE

Collaborative grants will be awarded to organizations for activities that address a specific community need. In this section, please describe the critical community need(s) your organization is currently facing, the specific community need you are addressing, the grant funded activity and the associated outcomes your organization will seek to accomplish in 2014.

RESOURCES FOR NEED IDENTIFICATION

Neighborhood Data Gateway http://www.datagateway.org

RESOURCES FOR NEED IDENTIFICATION

Missouri Census Data Center http://mcdc.missouri.edu/acs/profiles/menu.php

RESOURCES FOR NEED IDENTIFICATION

Mining Your Own Data! Does your organization have:

• Program reports from prior grants that demonstrate continued or

additional needs?

• Documentation tracking community issues?
• Qualitative data such as interviews with neighborhood

stakeholders or notes from a community‐wide planning process?

• Interns who can walk the neighborhood and collect baseline

information on physical needs/built environment or conduct a resident survey?

OUTCOMES: ACTIVITIES VS RESULTS

• Conducting an activity is NOT the same as achieving desired

results – although both are important

• Studying (activity) for ten hours (output) is NOT the same as

understanding a subject (outcome) well enough to pass a test (measure)

• Outcomes should be related to the initial needs identified

A BASIC LOGIC MODEL

Activities Outputs Outcomes

Did you implement your planned activities? How many persons, households, or housing units did you serve? Were you efficient? What was the result of your activities being implemented? Were you effective? NOTE: Should tie back into needs idenfified What are you planning to do?

Inputs

What resources do you have to bring to an activity? Financial resources? Staff skill sets? Community strengths?

A BASIC LOGIC MODEL

Activities Outputs Outcomes

25 buildings Decreased property crime Neighborhood cleanups

Inputs

Volunteers, Grant for supplies

OUTCOMES MUST BE MEASURABLE

You must have systems in place to measure outcomes. Keep in mind:

• What data is available (or can be created via surveys, pre/post

tests, etc.)

• How often that data will be updated
• How you will track it and how much time/money that will cost

LETTER OF INTENT

Use the required letter of intent as a tool! Letter of Intent asks for a brief overview of needs, activity, outputs, and outcomes. We will review these and provide feedback, so the more specific you are (within the word limit), the better.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

Velvet E. Bryant Rise Intern

APPLICATION PROCESS AND TIMELINE

September 23 Program Announcement and Request for Proposals October 8 Grant Workshop October 9‐15 Rise staff will respond to written follow up questions sent to rick@risestl.org through the Rise website: www.risestl.org *October 18 Letters of Intent Proposal Due November 1 Receive written feedback from Rise staff November 22 Full Applications of approved Letter of Intent proposals due December 11 Oversight Committee will meet to decide on staff recommendations December 18 Grant Awards Announced

PROCESS OF COLLABORATION

Oversight Committee works with Rise to develop program

• bjectives

Rise provides technical assistance to community‐based

• rganizations during the

application process Oversight Committee approves grant recommendations Grantees implement proposed place‐based project/partnership Rise provides ongoing technical assistance and capacity‐building training to Grantees Grantees present project

• utcomes to the

Oversight Committee Collective feedback is shared between Grantee, Oversight Committee, and Rise Efforts to sustain project/partnership and community impact are implemented

QUESTION/ANSWER SESSION