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Leadership Grant

Background and Instructions
Printable Instructions - Leadership Grant
Letter of Intent - Leadership Grant

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines Mission
The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines is a donor-driven public foundation whose purpose is toimprove the quality of life in Greater Des Moines through philanthropy.   The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines works to improve the quality of life for all by connecting donors with their passions, fostering links between community organizations and convening local leaders to advance the common good. Increasing our community’s connectedness includes building trust, civility, volunteerism and encouraging informal socializing and civic engagement.   Making community connections builds on our remarkable tendency to reach out to one another and lend a hand to those in need…we’re simply better together.

Leadership Grant
Leadership Grants are intended to advance the Community Foundation's Leadership Agenda and positively impact Greater Des Moines. The Community Foundation's Grantmaking Committee is committed to strengthening Greater Des Moines by proactively responding to community trends and opportunities. Therefore, the Community Foundation allocates a significant portion of its discretionary dollars to fund Leadership Grants. 

Eligibility Requirements
Grants are made only to charitable organizations or causes with 501(c)(3) status, or to governmental agencies. Geographically, funding is limited to projects that will significantly improve the Greater Des Moines community.

Grant Cycle Timeline
First Cycle: Letter of Intent due on or before 4:00 p.m., May 3, 2010.
Second Cycle: Letter of Intent due on or before 4:00 p.m., July 26, 2010.
Third Cycle: Letter of Intent due on or before 4:00 p.m., October 4, 2010.  

The Community Foundation will notify applicants on the status of their proposals within ten business days after it is received.  Proposals that advance in the process will receive further instructions at that time.  

The Community Foundation WILL CONSIDER grant applications for projects that:
*  Advance the initiatives included in the Community Foundation's Leadership Agenda (see the Community Foundation's Grantmaking Guidelines for more information).
*Include an opportunity for the Community Foundation to participate in a "signature" program or project within the scope of the entire project.
*Demonstrate significant community impact, are broad and wide-reaching in nature, and are inclusive of the entire Greater Des Moines community.
*Include evidence of a strong statement of community need and broad-ranging community support and endorsement, demonstrated by a broad donor base and community buy-in.
*Show evidence of long-term community planning for the project and an organizational strategic plan that has included and planned for the project.
*Include a well-developed plan for evaluating success.  Grant recipients may be asked to present project results to the Community Foundation Grantmaking Committee.
*Have an achievable plan to sustain the program well beyond the grant period.
*Recognize and celebrate our community's diversity, and provide access for underserved populations.
*Show planning for outreach and accessibility to underserved populations.
*Demonstrate evidence of sufficient planning and organizational capacity to suggest a good opportunity for success.
*Show strong probability for leveraged funding from other sources.
*Funding will be most favorably considered for those organizations that have not received a Leadership Grant in the prior year.
*Funding will be most favorably considered for those organizations committed to meeting the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence identified by the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center http://inrc.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu.

Funding will be most favorably considered for those organizations that:  
*Build social capital.
*Have not received a Leadership Grant in the prior year.
*Have committed to meeting the Iowa Principles and Practices for Charitable Nonprofit Excellence identified by the Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center http://inrc.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu.

Specific examples of eligible projects include:   
*New programs and projects that are the result of an expansion or building project (enhanced programming as a result of a capital project).
*Seed funding for a long-term community betterment project (annual festival).
*Projects that will enhance recreational or community economic development.
*Programs or projects that will significantly impact emerging community needs, opportunities and trends.
*Projects that address a critical issue and build community connections and partnerships.

The Community Foundation WILL NOT CONSIDER:
*Ongoing annual operating expenses.
*Grants to individuals.
*Sectarian religious programs.
*Projects not serving residents of Greater Des Moines.

Application Procedures
Please submit ONE Letter of Intent electronically to raedeker@desmoinesfoundation.org and THREE hard copies along with the following documents:    
*A copy of the 501(c)(3) designation letter of organization or fiscal agent unless your organization is a governmental entity.
*A projected budget for the project.
*A list of the organization’s Board of Directors with contact information and email addresses.
*Your Iowa Nonprofit Principals and Practices of Excellence Board Resolution (if your board has adopted one).
 
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1915 Grand Avenue ~ Des Moines, IA 50309 ~ PH 515.883.2626
Email: info@desmoinesfoundation.org ~ http://www.desmoinesfoundation.org
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