Grantmaking Process

nccjhands

How the process works

Nonprofit organizations serving Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount or Walker counties are eligible to receive grant support from the Community Funds of the Community Foundation through a competitive process that includes two separate grant cycles. Each cycle addresses two different Results, but nonprofits follow the same process and use the same on-line system to register their organization and to apply for a grant.

A series of conference calls is scheduled prior to each grant cycle, in order to review grant guidelines which are available for download here:  2012 Grantmaking Guidelines.

To apply for a grant, a nonprofit organization submits a Brief Proposal on-line and then, if that is accepted, a Full Proposal. Community Foundation staff members work with the Grant Review and Evaluation Committee, including Community Foundation board and community representatives, to review organizations that will be asked to submit a Full Proposal.

Full Proposals are reviewed and rated, along with site visits to or meetings with applicants.

After grants are awarded, the Community Foundation works in partnership with successful applicants to measure progress within the Results Framework (Results, Strategies, Objectives and mutually agreed upon benchmarks/milestones).

Representatives of nonprofit organizations should contact James McCrary, Vice President Grants and Evaluation.

2012 process

Cycle 1:  Brief proposals were submitted by Jan. 16, 2012, and the evaluation process continues for proposals that address strategies for the following Results :

Cycle 2: The Community Foundation is holding information sessions for Cycle 2 proposals at the dates and times listed below. The process for on-line submission begins Monday, June 4, 2012, and Brief Proposals are due by midnight, Monday, July 16, 2012 for strategies for the following Results:

If you represent a nonprofit serving the Birmingham region, read below and sign up by following the links to the particular information session that suits your schedule. Contact James McCrary with any questions.

Grant Strategy and Process Conference Calls: