INSIDE WHAT WE DO

LHiNC Grants

Background

The Linden Hills Neighborhood Council (Council) usually generates a certain amount of revenue from events such as the annual Linden Hills Festival. Over the years, the Council has donated most of this revenue back to the community in the form of grants to organizations or projects that make Linden Hills a better place to live and work. These Guidelines explain how to apply for a grant from the Council, as well as how the Council will make its determinations. Please review the Guidelines carefully.

Who is eligible to apply?

The Council prefers to make grants to tax exempt, nonprofit organizations. However, the Council recognizes that some projects may not be associated with a formal nonprofit organization and thus will consider proposals from neighborhood groups that can show appropriate administration and public accountability for the grant, and those that otherwise meet the Guidelines. Units of government may apply for funding for specific projects, but not for activities that are traditional responsibilities of the government.

What type of support do we provide?

Grants from the Council under these Guidelines will be for specific projects only. The Council will not make grants for planning, operating, or capital grants. Please also note that grants from the Council cannot be used to promote religious or partisan political purposes. Grants are typically less than $1,000, but there are no firm rules about grant allocations.

What are we looking for?

The level of the Council’s support will depend partly on an applicant’s commitment to and practice of the following principles:

How does the organization relate to or affect Linden Hills? (The Council plans to make grants to organizations in Linden Hills, or to those organizations or programs that predominantly serve Linden Hills.)
How does the organization or program involve participants in shaping its work?
How does it draw on participants’ strengths?
How does it encourage people and institutions within the community to support one another?
How does it support flexible, responsive, and respectful relationships among people in the community?
If applicable, how will the project be sustained beyond the life of the Council’s grant?

How to apply?

Proposals should be typed and not exceed five pages in length (excluding financial information).
Proposals should include the following information:

organization mission, history, and connection to Linden Hills
description of project goals, history
explanation of how the project relates to Council’s principles (“What we are looking for”)
organizational (annual budget), including income and expenses
project budget, including income and expenses
other sources of support for the project (either received or pending)
evaluation plans, if applicable
copy of 501©(3) letter if the application is from a tax exempt, nonprofit organization.

Applicants should submit an original and five copies by U.S. mail to:

Linden Hills Neighborhood Countil
Attention: Treasurer
P.O. Box 24049
Minneapolis, MN 55424

What are the timeless and review process?

Proposals will be reviewed initially by members of the LHiNC Finance Committee, who will make a recommendation to the full Council for final decision. The Council reserves the right to reject proposals even if the Finance Committee recommended the proposal for approval.

The Finance Committee (and Council) will review proposals twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

Please note the following relavant dates:

Spring grant cycle dates:

Applicants must be postmarked by: March 15, 2008
Finance Committee will review proposals by: April 30
Full Council review by: First Tuesday in May
Notice provided or sent by: First Wednesday in May

Fall grant cycle dates:

Applicants must be postmarked by: July 15
Finance Committee will review proposals by: September 30
Full Council review by: First Tuesday in October
Notice provided or sent by: First Wednesday in October

Questions?

Applicants are encouraged to contact LHiNC with questions.