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How To Apply For A Grant
     -How to apply for a Special          Projects Grant
      -Grant Guidelines

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Online Grant Systems FAQ

Below are a few questions that we think may be helpful, if you feel like we are missing one let us know and we will add it! 
1. Which browser would be most compatible with the Online Grants System?

• For the best user experience when applying for a grant, we recommend using Google Chrome 14 or higher, Firefox 9 or higher, or Safari 4 or higher. It is fine to use Internet Explorer, but you may encounter some minor technical issues.
  

2. How do I upload files to my application?

• For application questions that request an uploaded attachment, click the Browse button and then choose the desired document from your computer. The file name of the uploaded file will be indicated under the Browse button. Then save your application (button at the bottom of page). Pay attention to your file names – remove extra periods or replace them with a dash or underscore character.  If you need to add more than one please contact Walker Area Community Foundation staff for additional help.
  

3. What is the maximum size file upload?

• The file size limit is noted next to the Browse button and the system will not accept files greater than this limit. Some users have trouble with appropriate settings on a scanner and end up with larger file sizes. If these documents are converted using the Fax to File tool, the file size can be dramatically decreased.
  

4. How do I delete a file that I have uploaded to the application?

• There are two ways to remove an uploaded file from an application:
  

1. Once the file has been uploaded a delete button will appear below the file name. Clicking Delete will remove the file.
   
2. To replace the file a new file can be uploaded in its place. Simply upload the correct form to the question and the old uploaded form will be erased.
   

5. Can I upload more than one file upload per category? Applicants can only upload a single document in response to an upload question. If an applicant has more than one file they need to upload, they need to combine the files either electronically or via scanning. There are two methods applicants can use:

• If the files to be uploaded are in a format that is editable (such as Word or Excel), the applicant may take multiple Word documents or Excel sheets and combine them into one file.
  

6. Why am I having trouble uploading my file?

• There a few different reasons one may experience file upload issues:
  

1. File names – Remove extra periods or replace them with a dash or underscore characters.
   
2. File size – Files that exceed the maximum file size limit will cause an error. Compress the files or use Fax to File to create a smaller file.
   

Grants may be made for the following charitable purposes:

♦ Environment
♦ Health & Medicine
♦ Recreation
♦ Social Welfare

No grants are made to or for:

♦ Individuals
♦ Religious Organizations for religious purposes
♦ Dinners, Balls or other Ticketed Events
♦ Political Purposes

♦ Lobbying Activities
♦ Replacement of Government Grants or Funding
♦ Endowments or Other Discretionary Pools

Requests from public school systems must come from the superintendent's office. If the request is for an individual school, it must be for a pilot project that, if successful, would be duplicated in other schools in the system. 

Requests from large organizations with many branches or departments (e.g. colleges, universities, the YMCA and public libraries) must come through the development or president's office and have the approval of the head of that office.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR
The Walker Area Community Foundation has limited funds with which to make grants since the request for qualified grants greatly exceeds the grant funds available. 

Applicants will not be funded on an ongoing annual basis unless the terms of the grant specifically provide for multi-year funding. 

In order to make the greatest impact with the funds available, we prefer requests that address a critical community need. 

• Get at the root causes of a problem
• Do not duplicate existing services unless they serve a population not already being served 
• Are pilot projects which, if successful, can be expanded to serve a wider population or be duplicated by other organizations
• Involve collaboration and cooperation with other organizations and agencies
• Include an effective mechanism for measuring the impact of The Community Foundation’s investment.

Ordinarily, we do not make grants for: 

• Operating expenses unless they are for the initial stages of a pilot project. 
  
• Program expenses that occur on a regular basis. (e.g. annual workshop series, regularly needed medical equipment or patient care) 
• Regularly supported activities of fundraising organizations.
  

The requesting organization should: 

• Demonstrate the expertise and experience necessary to accomplish the project
• Operate under sound financial principles
• Have a future funding plan
• Have a solid base of community and financial support to insure the future of the organization and program

We prefer requests for partial funding of projects rather than full support. Because we cannot provide ongoing support, plans for future funding are critical. We believe that sound and realistic financial planning must underlie any request.

FREQUENCY OF APPLICATION

• Organizations that have received grants must wait one calendar year before submitting another request.
• Ordinarily, an organization receiving multi-year support may not apply for another grant until the final payment on the multi-year grant is made.
• Applicants who are not successful in receiving funds must wait at one year to reapply, and should not reapply at that time unless the terms of the request have changed materially from the original request.