STIPEND APPLICATION
2008
A Project of The Cleveland Foundation and the Board of County Commissioners
OVERVIEW
The goal of Project Access is to strengthen and improve the effectiveness of
faith- and community-based organizations in the city of Cleveland and the inner-
ring suburbs by partnering with them to adopt and integrate best practices in
organizational capacity building into their routine operations. A component of
Project Access is to make sub-awards available to support the capacity initiative.
I. WHO CAN APPLY?
Only organizations participating in Project Access for a second or third year
Project Access organizations that have 3 or less absences
II. WHAT ARE ELIGIBLE REQUESTS?
Project Access funds can only be used for capacity building services or purchases.
Legitimate examples are displayed below. Project Access grants CAN NOT be
used for direct services, administrative or overhead expenses such as salaries,
rent, electricity, gas, or program services
Equipment Technology Training
Office Internet Access Board Development
Computer Networking Staff Development
Phones
Software Consultants Other:
Computer Finance
Financial Management Human Resources This category may not include
administrative or overhead expenses
Project Management Information Tech
such as salaries, rent, utilities, or
Marketing Strategic Planning
program services
Community Outreach
III. HOW MUCH CAN YOU APPLY FOR?
Stipends will be awarded on a competitive basis to Project Access Alumni/Stars
Stipends of $2000 will be awarded to successful Alumni/Star applicants
Stipends will be awarded by mid-November 2008
IV. ROLE OF THE COACH
Assist you with strategic thinking and guidance
Coaches will not prepare the grant application and will not do a final review
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V. GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS
Must complete the Grant Application on the form provided herein and arrive by
mail or be hand delivered to The Cleveland Foundation by Friday, October 10,
2008 by 5:00 p.m.
Must supply supporting documentation to substantiate your request in the form of
estimates, quotes or other documentation to verify costs of goods or services
If you are a 501(c) (3) organization, provide copies of your exemption letter and a
list of your current board members.
Applicants that do not have or are awaiting tax-exempt status must apply through
a tax-exempt fiscal sponsor in which case supporting documentation must be
provided by the fiscal sponsor on their letterhead:
Name of executive director and telephone number
A copy of the sponsor’s 501 (c) (3) federal tax exemption letter
A list of the current board members
Agreement to act as your organizations fiscal sponsor, agree to receive
grant payments on behalf of your organization and comply with
submitting the required financial reports to The Cleveland Foundation
Signed by an officer of the fiscal agent’s board
Complete and submit the attached budget form and narrative for your project
Provide a letter on the organization’s letterhead from the applicant’s governing
board, signed by an officer of the board, authorizing participation in this project.
If the application is from two or more organizations, each organization must
submit a letter of authorization from its governing board
The original plus two (2) copies of the above materials must arrive by mail or
be hand delivered (no faxes or emails) no later than Friday, October 10, 2008 at
5:00 pm to:
The Cleveland Foundation
1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2001
Attn: Project Access
Questions concerning application format and content should be directed to:
Harold Garling Jr., Project Assistant
216-685-2016
hgarling@clevefdn.org
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PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Each proposal will be evaluated on its merits. Project Access and Cuyahoga County reviewers
will assess the proposal’s content and relevance to Project Access objectives. Additional
emphasis will be placed upon a program’s ability to implement its objectives effectively and
efficiently. It is critical that project outcomes and impact be both identifiable and measurable. In
evaluating the proposals, reviewers will look at a number of factors including, but not limited to,
the prospective grantee’s ability to:
Demonstrate need of organization
Demonstrate level of participation in trainings, coaching and peer to peer networking
sessions
Demonstrate realistic nature of achieving proposed capacity building goals
Demonstrate effective leveraging of resources through collaborations or other alliances
Demonstrate impact on organizations service delivery
Demonstrate impact on organizations overall ability to increase capacity
CONTRACTUAL ISSUES
Participation in evaluation activities of Project Access: Organizations selected to receive funding
from Project Access will be expected to participate in interviews with research staff and to
complete data collection forms that will track progress against project objectives.
Performance criteria:
Award letters and contracts will be sent to successful organizations on or before 10/20/08.
Organizations not receiving the full amount of their request will have to submit a revised
project and budget along with the signed contract by 10/29/08. Contracts must be signed by
the Executive Director and Board Chair, and returned to The Cleveland Foundation. Only
after contracts are received will funds be released.
Organizations must submit a final report upon completion of the project verifying that grant
funds were expended as requested by 01/30/09.
Failure to meet performance criteria may seriously impact future activity with Project Access
and The Cleveland Foundation.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNANCE
The frequency of the application review process occurs annually and is dependant on the
availability of funds.
The Cleveland Foundation reserves the right to have application reviews conducted in concert with
other funders, i.e., Cuyahoga County, other private and/or public foundations.
The Cleveland Foundation may use intermediary organizations and consultants to provide technical
assistance that enhances effective implementation of the faith-based initiative.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION DEADLINES
Applications must be submitted by Friday, October 10, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
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STIPEND APPLICATION
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION
Applicant Organization:
Mailing Address:
City: State: OH Zip:
Telephone: Fax: County:
Website:
Executive Director: Email:
Board Chair: Email:
Annual operating budget: $
Revenue Sources: Revenue Source Percentage Distribution
Corporations %
Using the chart to the right, please Foundations %
Generated Income %
indicate, by percentage, the revenue
Government Agencies %
sources for your organization last tax
Individuals %
year (2007) Religious Organizations %
Total: 100 %
Does organization possess 501(c)3 status? yes/no Using Fiscal Sponsor? yes/no (if yes, fill out below)
Name of Fiscal Sponsor:
Mailing Address:
City: State: OH Zip:
Executive Director: Telephone:
Federal Tax Exempt #: Date of incorporation:
ORGANIZATION’S MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT:
AMOUNT REQUESTED FROM THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION: $
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PROJECT INFORMATION:
Capacity Building Project Title:
Total project budget:
Identify which core capacity areas the capacity building project will increase: (you may select more than one)
Community Engagement Leadership Development Organization Development Program Development Resource Development
Describe how the requested funds will be used, with specific attention to the core capacity area(s) checked above:
(suitable description to be shared for Project Access and County staff review)
If additional space is needed, please type and submit on 8½ X 11” paper (max 2 pages)
Briefly state the needs of your organization and how this project will increase your organization’s capacity to serve
the community:
Briefly describe one or more measurable outcomes you hope to achieve. Indicate how you will measure.
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Briefly describe, in sequential order, how your organization used any Project Access sub-awards/stipends
previously received.
Does your request involve any collaborations or alliances with other Project Access organizations? yes/no
If yes, please provide name of organization(s):
MAIL ORIGINAL PLUS TWO (2) COPIES OF APPLICATION INCLUDING ATTACHMENTS TO:
The Cleveland Foundation
1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2001
Attn: Project Access
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Questions concerning application format and content should be directed to:
Harold Garling Jr., Project Assistant
216-685-2016
hgarling@clevefdn.org
APPLICANT SIGNATURES
Executive Director Date
Chair, Board of Trustees Date
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PROJECT BUDGET AND NARRATIVE GUIDELINES
OVERVIEW
Two important components of the grant application are the line-item budget and budget narrative. Both
documents must be submitted with a grant request. Carefully read the guidelines before completing the
budget documents, which are also available online at www.clevelandfoundation.org
LINE-ITEM BUDGET GUIDELINES
o The line-item budget should include all income and expenses associated with the proposed
project. Please note that not every line item applies to every project.
o Total income should equal total expenses. If income exceeds expenses, please explain the
rationale in detail in the budget narrative.
o Each budget form should include the name, phone number, and e-mail address of the contact
person responsible for and familiar with the project budget.
LINE-ITEM BUDGET DEFINITIONS
Salaries and Wages include full, part-time and temporary employees.
Fringe Benefits include FICA, pension, health insurance, workers’ compensation, etc.
Contract Services/Professional Fees include outsourced services or workers.
Office Space includes rent, utilities, furnishings, maintenance and insurance.
Equipment/Supplies include office supplies, postage, copier rental and supplies, telephone, fax and
computer supplies, equipment repair and maintenance, etc.
Staff/Board Development includes trainings, retreats, seminars, and conference expenses designed for
professional development of staff and board.
Travel/Related Expenses include air travel, out-of-town expenses, conference travel expenses and per
diem, in-town parking and mileage expenses.
Indirect Costs include business expenses not directly connected with the proposed project; for example,
legal expense, public relations and printing.
NARRATIVE GUIDELINES
The budget narrative must include an explanation of every line item for which you are requesting
support from The Cleveland Foundation’s Project Access, for example:
(Contract Services/Professional Fees – Computer Consultant: The total requested for this
contract is $2,000 which covers the cost of upgrading all the computers with additional memory;
provide internet connectivity, networking and staff training. )
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THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION
PROJECT BUDGET
(Must be accompanied by the Project Narrative)
Organization Name:
Fiscal year end date:
Capacity Building Project Title:
Total amount requested from The Cleveland Foundation: $
Project start and end date:
PROJECT INCOME
Anticipated Committed Total Internal Use Only
Contributed Income
Local Government
State Government
Federal Government
The Cleveland Foundation
Other Foundations*
Corporations*
Board/Individual
Contributions
Other*
Earned Income
Client Fees
Membership Dues
Contract Services*
Publications and Products
Ticket Sales
Organization Income
Other*
PROJECT EXPENSES
Fdn. Request Other Funding Total Internal Use Only
Personnel Expenses
Salaries and Wages*
Fringe Benefits
Non-Personnel Expenses
Contract Services/
Professional Fees*
Office Space
Equipment/Supplies
Staff/Board Development
Travel/Related Expenses
Indirect Costs*
Other*
Total Project Expenses
Excess (Deficiency)*
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PROJECT BUDGET NARRATIVE
*Please explain itemized budget in narrative form below:
Contact Person:
Telephone:
Email Address:
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Submit original plus two copies of application and all required documentation
Download electronic application at www.clevelandfoundation.org.
Save document to computer.
Complete application electronically. Print three.
Compile three sets of required documentation.
Include required signatures.
Mail all documentation to:
The Cleveland Foundation
1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300
Cleveland, Ohio 44115-2001
Attn: Project Access
Checklist
Completed Project Access Application form
Estimates, quotes or documentation to support cost of goods and services
IRS 501 c 3 Tax Exemption letter
Completed budget form and narrative
Board Authorization letter
If using a fiscal sponsor include:
Name and phone number of executive director
Fiscal sponsor’s IRS 501 c 3 Tax Exemption Letter
Board List
Agreement by Fiscal Sponsor to serve
Signed by board officer
Submission deadline is Friday, October 10, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
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