LHiNC Grants

Linden Hills Youth Grant Program

January 7, 2013

The Linden Hills Neighborhood Council (LHiNC) is currently accepting proposals for the Linden Hills/NRP Youth Grants Program. LHiNC makes this program available through its Neighborhood Revitalization Program funds in an effort to increase/improve programming that will support the development of Linden Hills Youth. LHiNC currently has $11,500 available for this program and its goal is to sponsor more rather than fewer worthy programs, but awards will be based on merit in view of the funds available at any given time.

Youth Grant Program Objectives

The program aims to foster collaboration between existing youth service oriented agencies, institutions and organizations to promote active programming that strengthens youth activities within the community. The Program objective is to encourage the strengthening of what the Search Institute calls the "40 Developmental Assets" that are the essential building blocks of healthy adolescent development.

The major criteria to be used to evaluate the grant applications include:

• Project sustainability post Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) funding (including matching funds, in-kind contributions, etc.)
• Overall program impact on Linden Hills youth and the greater community.
• Extent to which the search Institute's "Developmental Assets" (Attachment B) are incorporated in the proposal and the degree to which youth are involved in the planning of the program.

Proposals/projects will be evaluated by the members of the Linden Hills Youth Grants Program Evaluation Team which will be selected by the LHiNC Finance Committee.

The LHiNC Finance Committee will disburse awarded funds. Revenue generated from the use of awarded funds will be returned from grantees to the Youth Grants Program.

Youth Grants Program Timelines

Applications for all or part of the available funds will be considered (up to $11,500). The Evaluation Team reserved the right to fund grant requests in full or in part.

The LHiNC Finance Committee may disburse funds awarded to grantees either as a single payment or in increments as is determined to be most appropriate.

Proposals will be requested and reviewed in the Spring and Fall of 2013.

Please note that any funded program would need to be completed by December 31st, 2014.

Youth Grants Program Guidelines

Who/What will the Linden Hills Youth Grants Program fund?

• Grants are available to groups and organizations whose programs will serve Linden Hills youth, ages 10 to 17.

Who is eligible?

• NonProfit 501c3 groups primarily working in the Linden Hills or adjacent neighborhoods, including schools, religious organizations, scout troops, etc.
• Informal groups (three or more individuals) who have secured the service of a fiscal agent. A fiscal agent is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that receives Linden Hills Youth Grant Program funds and agrees to manage the financial aspects of the project on behalf of a group that does not have nonprofit, tax-exempt status or the group is not a school or religious institution, secure a fiscal agent and submit the Fiscal Agent Acknowledgement form (page 7) and an IRS 501c3 letter for the fiscal agent.
• Collaborative efforts consistent with above.

What can be funded?

• New projects and programs aimed at strengthening youth assets in the neighborhood.
• Existing projects and programs whose activities would be expanded with grant funds.
• Staffing costs (excluding staffing in religious organizations), stipends, services and supplies to support these projects.

What is NOT funded?

• Capital improvements, construction or renovation costs, purchase of property.
• Office equipment, office furnishings or vehicles.
• Endowment and scholarship funds.
• Conferences, seminars, tuition or training for individuals.
• Emergency funding
• Budget deficits
• Fundraising events
• Staffing costs in religious organizations.

What is expected of grantees?

• Perform services in a timely manner (prior to December 31, 2014)
• Stay within budget
• Prepare and submit a Final Evaluation following the close of the grant period.

Click here for complete program guidelines and the grant application form.

Applicants are encouraged to contact LHiNC with questions.

LHiNC Spring/Fall Grants

Background

The Linden Hills Neighborhood 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?

Create a grant proposal (There is no application form). 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 Council
Attention: Treasurer
P.O. Box 24049
Minneapolis, MN 55424

What are the timelines 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 relevant dates:

Spring grant cycle dates:

• Applications must be postmarked by: March 15
• 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:

• Applications 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.