Supporting Our Sisters Grantmaking

Overview
Grant proposals are accepted once each year according to our grant cycle. Proposal requirements may change from year to year; therefore, grantseekers are advised to revisit this page prior to beginning the grant application process. Grants are normally given as one-time support of a project but may be considered for additional support for expansions or outgrowths of an initial project. Visit our Apply for a Grant page for instructions on submitting a proposal.

Grant Cycle
We consider proposals for grants on a yearly cycle which begins each August. At the start of each cycle, a notice is mailed to nonprofit organizations that serve Spencer County women and girls. The requirements and instructions provided here are to be considered current and accurate only for the duration of the Supporting Our Sisters grant cycle, which runs from August through December each year. Proposals will be accepted from August through the October deadline. Proposals submitted after the October deadline will not be considered.

Eligibility
The Supporting Our Sisters Fund welcomes proposals from non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and from governmental agencies serving Spencer County women and girls.  Proposals from other non-profit organizations to carry out charitable projects or activities that address issues facing women and girls in Spencer County may be accepted.

2008 Grant Program Focus Areas
In 2008, the Supporting Our Sisters Fund will focus its funding on projects that serve Spencer County women and girls, specifically addressing one or more of the following issues:

Healthcare Resources

• Restorative dental care for uninsured/underinsured women.

• Routine health exams for uninsured/underinsured women.

Childcare Assistance

• Assistance for underemployed women in need of childcare services while at work.

• Assistance for women who are in need of emergency childcare services during times of high stress or while job searching.

Youth and Young Adult Wellness Education (young women ages 12 through 30)

• Drug and alcohol prevention education.

• Character-building, confidence, and self-esteem instruction.

• Health, physical fitness, and abstinence education.

Fiscal Sponsors
Proposals submitted by an entity under the auspices of another agency must include a written statement signed by the agency's board president on behalf of the board of directors agreeing to act as the entity's fiscal sponsor, to receive grant monies if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project. 

Funding Range
The Supporting Our Sisters Fund will accept funding requests of any amount.  The amount available to grant is $8,000, and multiple grants may be awarded.  The Supporting Our Sisters Steering Committee reserves the right to award only a portion of the total amount available to grant during this current grant cycle and will base its decision on the quality of the proposals received and the anticipated impact the proposed projects will make in the community.

Deliberation
The Supporting Our Sisters Steering Committee will make its recommendations on funding to the Spencer County Community Foundation Board of Trustees, which will make final funding recommendations to the Community Foundation Alliance Board of Directors (our governing board). No lobbying or soliciting of Steering Committee members will be permitted.  All organizations that have submitted a grant proposal will be notified of the outcome in writing no later than November 30, 2008.

Reporting Procedures
If the grant proposal is approved, the organization is required to submit a six-month progress report and a final report at project completion as instructed by the Community Foundation Alliance.  Organizations approved for funding must complete their projects within one year of receiving the grant award.  Appropriate reporting forms will be provided at the time of award.