Takoma Foundation
Spring Grant Cycle 2008
GUIDELINES
Takoma Foundation: The mission of the Takoma Foundation, established in 1988, is to raise funds and make grants that promote and facilitate a socially, environmentally, economically and culturally healthy Takoma Park community. The Takoma Foundation supports a dynamic, vibrant community that is inclusive, accepting, supportive and understanding.
Area Served: Organizations providing services and activities to residents of Takoma Park, Maryland and surrounding neighborhoods.
Priority Activities: The Takoma Foundation seeks to ensure that everyone can participate in community life. We have a preference for projects that (1) encourage and involve resident participa-tion in community life; (2) build social capital and connections between people; (3) empower small groups in dealing with immediate community concerns; and (4) provide opportunities to community residents that would not be possible otherwise; and (5) to meet the needs of low and moderate income residents, especially among youths aged 12 to 18, and through adult education and workforce development programs.
We prefer to fund small organizations with limited access to resources, generally those with budgets under $100,000. Projects might include cultural enrichment, civic action, community education, economic improvement, assistance for the needy (especially children and the elderly), environmental enhancement, educational advancement, and activities that encourage the health and well being of the community’s residents.
More specifically, we will rank proposals according to how well they meet the following objectives:
- The project/activity contributes to the greater Takoma Park Community. If the project is not based in Takoma Park, there is a clear benefit to the greater Takoma Park Community.
- The project/activity plan is well thought out, seems likely to achieve its goals, and is ready to be implemented (or is underway.) Additionally, the project can be completed within a reasonable timeframe (usually a year or less.)
- The project/activity leads to a result(s) that would not be achieved without the support of the Takoma Foundation. Projects and activities that are innovative or that come from new applicants are especially welcome.
- The project/activity plan includes a means of evaluating the results and reporting them to the foundation, so we can demonstrate to our donors what their dollars are achieving.
Grant Amount: $500 - $2,000
Eligibility: Non-profit organizations that have a letter of determination from the IRS are eligible to apply. Projects that have a non-profit fiscal agent may also apply. Other kinds of groups that are eligible include: PTA’s, schools, neighborhood associations and civic groups. We cannot make grants to individuals or for-profit businesses. If you are not sure if you are eligible, please call us before you apply.
Application Process: Click here for an application template
Deadline: The Takoma Foundation has a spring and fall grant cycle. Spring 2008 applications must be postmarked by Friday, March 28, 2008 or dropped off in person by 5pm on that date. Grant decisions will be made in the beginning of May.
How we operate: The Takoma Foundation is a public charity, operated as a donor advised fund of the Montgomery County Community Foundation. The Takoma Foundation’s board raises money from the community to carry out Foundation activities. A committee of the board coordinates the grants process and makes recommendations to the Takoma Foundation board for grant awards.
Contact: For more information, visit www.takomafoundation.org or contact Bruce Baker at bruce.l.baker@verizon.net or (301) 589-3633.
TAKOMA FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION
Please submit your application using this template. Please keep your answers short and to the point. We suggest that proposals be no more than three pages plus attachments (please use 12 pt. type). The Foundation should be able to fully evaluate your request based on the information you provide in the proposal and not depend on lengthy attachments. Applications must be received in the Montgomery County Community Foundation Office by 5:00 pm on Friday, March 28, 2008
1. APPLICANT INFORMATION -- 2008
Name of Legal Entity Submitting Request:
Project Name:
Contact Person/Title:
Address:
Telephone:
Email address:
Amount Requested:
Applicant Signature:
Tax ID Number:
Non-profit organizations must attach a copy of the IRS Letter of Determination. Organizations that do not have an IRS Letter of Determination, please attach materials which provide the Foundation with information about how your group operates.
2. SUMMARY OF PROJECT/ACTIVITY (2-3 SENTENCES)
What will the project accomplish?
3. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY
Describe the program activities including a description of who will perform the activities, where and how. Are there other organizations or individuals who are participating in or supporting the activity?
4. BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY OF PROPOSED PROJECT/ACTIVITY
Identify who will benefit from the project and how. How does this activity promote and facilitate a socially, environmentally, economically, and culturally healthy Takoma Park community? If the project does not take place within Takoma Park, please be specific about how it will benefit the Takoma Park community.
5. TIMELINE
What are the major tasks for this activity and when will it happen? How long will the project/activity continue? (The Takoma Foundation generally funds projects that last a year or less.)
6. BUDGET
Provide a budget for the project/activity, including any support you expect to receive from other sources, and an organizational budget, if one is available. For the purpose of this application, support may be financial or in-kind, such as volunteer hours that community members have pledged to the project. If the budget is over $100,000, please enclose recent income and expense statements. Please also tell us how the funding from the Takoma Foundation will impact the project.
7. EVALUATION
How will you know if this activity was a success? How will you communicate that information to the Takoma Foundation?
Mail completed application to:
Takoma Foundation
c/o Montgomery County Community Foundation
8720 Georgia Avenue #202
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Applications must be postmarked or dropped off in person by 5:00pm on
Friday, March 28, 2008
