Small Grants Program
Discretionary Grant Guidelines
Spring 2010
Introduction
The Tennessee Disability Coalition is pleased to announce our semi-annual round of discretionary grants, awarded in May and November each year. The Application with Guidelines for May 2010 is now available at our website.
Purpose
In keeping with the mission of the Coalition to help build a society that includes and values people with disabilities, the purpose of the grants is to build capacity in the disability community to serve individuals with disabilities and their families. In general, there is no funding available for one-time conferences.
Deadlines
Letter of Interest: March 19, 2010 by noon
Full Proposal, if requested: April 30, 2010 by noon
Eligibility
The Tennessee Disability Coalition will make grants to IRS-designated tax-exempt organizations-501(c)(3) and governmental entities. Private foundations and agency members of the Coalition Grant Committee are not eligible to apply.
Amount of funding
The Coalition has approximately $100,000 available for discretionary grant making this year, with $50,000 available for the Spring grants. Five grants for up to $10,000 each for a one-year term may be awarded in this grant cycle. Awards will be merit based, following the point system outlined in the application.
Application process
There is a two-step application process:
1. Submission of a brief Letter of Interest with budget outline
2. Submission of a full proposal, if requested, using the standard application format
Letter of Interest
The Coalition will accept only one Letter of Interest per organization. The Letter should not exceed three (3) pages in length including a budget outline. The letter must be signed by an officer of the organization or the organization’s Executive Director. To be considered for funding for the current grant cycle, your letter must be received by noon on March 19, 2010. If letters are e-mailed or faxed, do not follow up with a mailed letter.
A Letter of Interest should include the following:
* Organization/Agency information:
* Agency name
* Mailing address with zip code
* Indication of not-for-profit agency or governmental entity
* Federal ID number
* Name and title of person submitting Letter of Interest
* Telephone number / E-mail address
* A brief statement of the history, mission, and services of your organization.
* The geographic area and population served (if applicable)
* A brief description of the project to be funded including a statement on how the project will contribute to capacity building
* A description of the overall goal of the project to be funded
* Budget outline
Note: The letter should not exceed three (3) pages, inclusive of the budget outline.
All Letters of Interest will be reviewed to determine if the Coalition Grant Committee and Coalition Board wish to pursue a full proposal. Applicants will be notified not later than April 5, 2010 of the results of the review process. The deadline for a full proposal, if requested is noon on April 30, 2010. Notifications of awards will be sent by e-mail by May 28, 2010.
Submission information
Letters of Interest can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed.
Mail:
Donna DeStefano
Tennessee Disability Coalition
955 Woodland Street
Nashville, TN 37206
Fax: 615-383-1176
E-mail: donna_d@tndisability.org
Funding Process
Funds will be awarded in two installments: half of the award after a contract is signed, with the second payment half to be made upon receipt and approval of the five-month Summary of Activities report.
Required Reports
All grantees will be required to submit:
• A five-month progress report
• A final report, including a final budget report, within six weeks following the end of the project term.
For more information, contact:
Donna DeStefano
Email: donna_d@tndisability.org
Phone: 615-383-9442
