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Sample Grant Application No. 3
This sample grant application pertains to government or public grantseeking to the U.S. Government by a community-based non-profit organization with 20 years experience. This sample does not apply to private grantseeking, is designed for an established, experienced organization, and will not assist, individuals or start-up organizations. This multi-section grant application contains five (5) exhibits and is presented on three (3) pages. You are on page one. To page two. To page three.
Most Government Agencies use a specific grant application form. Our sample grant application below uses an application form which was required by one Government Agency for one specific program during a prior year. It is now obsolete.
Grantseekers must ensure that they have the correct and most current application forms and instructions before beginning any public application process.
In addition, most Government agencies only invite funding applications through Request for Proposals (RFP). Therefore, grantseekers must first obtain the RFP's and must follow exactly the policies, procedures and other mandates and application requirements contained within the RFP's in order to qualify for the application process. Applications which do not meet the public grantsgiver RFP requirements will be disqualified prior to review by the public grantsgiver.
All public grant applications must include, but are not limited to:
1. one or more budgets. A program budget, and, if applicable, a specific project budget. We have included a sample grant budgetin this grants-writing guide.
2. a cover letter, and, if required, a cover sheet. A sample cover sheet and cover letteris included in this grants-writing guide.
It is very important in making applications for public grants to always follow the exact guidelines specified by grantmakers in their grant application and guidelines.
Sample Public Implementation Grant Application
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Federal Housing and Retraining Program (HRP)
Exhibit 1:
Program Summary
The Community Based Organization, Inc. (CBO) and the Local Neighborhood Organization, Inc. (LNO) have developed an exciting and innovative proposal for assisted housing in the economically distressed area (Area) of any major city (City) which will combine advantageous features of traditional housing financing while at the same time providing services to extraordinarily disadvantaged members of the community. We anticipate that the Federal Housing and Retraining Program (HRP) program through an implementation grants will be an essential and primary part of the program and will add a crucial training and educational component to the plan permitting us to both extend our efforts in the field of counseling and training and also to lower our construction costs so as to serve the community with a larger number of assisted units.
The program which the partners envision is multifaceted, comprehensive and innovative. The Area has a tremendous need for additional assisted housing with little vacant land and few appropriate sites. The CBO and the LNO have identified an appropriate location for the construction of 40 units of housing and are requesting a Federal HRP grant as a part of the financing for this program. The housing proposal itself will provide aid not only to those families requiring assisted housing but also to those families left homeless after fire. We anticipate that 25 percent of the units will be set aside for transitional housing for homeless families that are victims of disaster. Social and other necessary services will be provided for them on site. The remaining units will be financed through the State Housing Fund, tax credits and Federal and State subsidy. Funds for the acquisition of the site will be obtained through the State Housing Agency, the HRP, city funds, conventional lending and private solicitation and other grant and loan funds.
We have the enthusiastic cooperation of the State, City, the Housing Authority, the District Leaders as well as community groups and other private organizations.
Participants
The CBO has been instrumental in establishing programs for social services, housing and education and training for the entire area for the past 20 years. The CBO has been instrumental in its advocacy on housing issues as well as protesting the level of safe, decent, affordable housing provided throughout the city. In addition the CBO has built or rehabilitated and managed hundreds of units of low income housing in the past decade.
The LNO is a singular and primary source of essential services for residents of the community. The LNO is an umbrella organization which with its affiliates administer a comprehensive retinue of programs involving social services, health, educational, vocational and housing. The LNO itself provides fundamental social services involving counseling in a variety of governmental, social, health and family related programs.
The mission of the LNO is focused in three major areas. The first is the providing a range of direct hands-on constituent services including but not limited to counseling and referral on assisted housing, social security, employment and education services and health care. The second is fundamentally directed towards planning and development with an emphasis on housing development, business planning and job training. The third area of importance is community relations and advocacy for issues of importance for the community.
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HRP Activities
The HRP program in conjunction with other funds will be a small component of our housing program. The bulk of the funds will be used for job training, counseling and education within the various construction trades. We estimate that between 220 to 260 people will be served in the year long program. Project housing components such as site acquisition, architectural and building components will be a relatively minor amount per unit.
Abbreviated HRP Cost breakdown is as follows:
Non-Housing Component $600,000.00
Housing Project Component $300,000.00
Administrative Cost $100,000.00
Total Project Budget $1,000,000.00
The Non-Housing Component of the program will be used for salaries, staff, trainee stipends and wages, liability insurance, job placement, legal expenses, recruitment, and tools and materials for training and education and construction work. Housing Project Components are to be used for options for the acquisition of sites, architectural and engineering fees and construction materials to build on site training and educational facilities as a client of the construction training program. Administrative expenses will be utilized for all of the appropriate financial and program reporting requirements, accounting and auditing costs, payroll and secretarial work and other proper administrative costs.
Planning Costs, provided through matching funds, will be utilized by the partners for the building of the consortium, feasibility studies, identifications of other potential sites and the securing of the appropriate financing for the permanent, long-term program.
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Training Program Experience
Since 19XX, the CBO has been providing training and supportive services to high school drop-outs through the Department of employment Housing-Related Work Experience Training Program. 160 participants have already obtained full-time, unsubsidized jobs, but actually, intense placement has not yet started due to this agency's desire to provide a full training cycle to as many of the participants as possible. By so doing, we believe that higher quality placements can be achieved. The training has included full participation in the gut rehabilitation of more than 100 units. this experience is being reinforced through related field trips, lectures, and demonstrations. Remedial education is improving the participants job readiness by improving math and reading skills. Supportive services being provided include help obtaining day care, housing, medical and legal help, etc., as well as intensive work education and counseling.
For the past 10 years, this agency has worked with the Area Vocational High School training 30-50 students a year from the school. The students are chosen to work along with our rehabilitation and maintenance crews in order to receive work experience training. Classroom training is provided on alternate weeks by the high school. this program has resulted in 3000 students obtaining valuable rehab skills and hundreds of repairs/rehabilitation of low-income tenants' apartments made possible due to the assistance of the trainees. this agency's Community Program actively follows the policy of hiring unemployed local residents and training them on-the-job for maintenance and clerical positions. this policy has resulted in numerous local residents obtaining skills; some of these employees have moved on to private-sector jobs. Since 19XX, this agency hosted Summer Training employment Program workers. We have provided on-the-job training and limited counseling for approximately 100 trainees. The trainees have received experience both in clerical and maintenance work. For many years, this agency has provided architectural drafting training to students from the Area Vocational School. These students have participated in drafting rehabilitation plans and specifications for the building trades.
Since 19XX, training has been provided to the Area school students in computer work. The students are assisting this agency with a heavy workload of inputting, and at the same time are receiving valuable on-the-job experience. In a previous program, this agency trained unemployed local youths in its Recycling Program. Professional quality recycled products were sold to local businesses and other establishments. Not only did the students obtain professional skills, but the re-use and conservation ethic was instilled and the businesses have benefited from the end products with cost savings and more customers. Also previously, this agency participated with other local community based agencies with the local Training Center on a job placement and training program. Neighborhood people were recruited to come to the office and be interviewed by the Training Center personnel. Those who were ready were matched with available jobs in the community; those who were not job-ready were referred to the appropriate training program.
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Exhibit 2:
Applicant Information
Background
Housing
The CBO's housing work can be roughly divided into three areas: tenant/landlord mediation, rights in court; housing management; and housing development. The CBO offers assistance to tenants and landlords regarding their housing rights and responsibilities. this assistance preserves more low income housing than could ever be developed. When mediation and negotiation do not settle housing problems, Housing Court cases follow. In order to work for better housing laws and to utilize volunteers in teaching tenant rights, CBO organized the Area Tenants League. The Tenants League has been in operation for more than six years, with regular monthly meetings and housing rights clinics. The CBO manages 25 buildings (City-owned), 222 residential units in all. management and rehabilitation of City-owned buildings, many previously abandoned, is through the City Program. The CBO has been under contract with the City since 19XX to manage housing.
Housing development projects include the moderate rehabilitation of a 50 unit residential building purchased from the City in 19XX. this project marked the beginning of CBO's bank mortgage-financed rehabilitation. After four years of organizing and pressure, a Federal new construction housing project was awarded in 19XX. this project brought 150 units of desperately needed low income housing to the Community. Facade Improvement Program funds from the City have stabilized and beautified the Area's main commercial strip. Historic restoration of other residential properties, funded through the National Historic Fund, is also taking place. Several vacant buildings are being renovated under an area program, which provides up to $6,000 per building. All told, over 160 buildings on ten blocks are receiving assistance. The CBO also sponsors and provides technical assistance to local groups working to rehabilitate vacant City-owned multi-family buildings on the Street. The CBO sponsors, networks and facilitates the formation of housing advocacy groups.
The organizational structure of the CBO is typical of many local community organizations. It is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit with a governing board comprised of local residents and community leaders.
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For nearly twenty years the LNO has been a primary resource for the people of the Area. With other affiliated organizations, it has been involved with scores of programs mostly in the social service context, but increasingly involving urban development. The LNO has been active in housing and economic development both singly and through its affiliates and partners for a considerable period of time. It is currently involved in numerous commercial, civic and housing developments in the area. It is responsible for the local Women and Children program, the Home Improvement Program, a Health Care Center, Home Attendant and Housing Counseling programs and has been in charge of Federal, State and Programs. It has been responsible for ten civic, commercial and housing developments since 19XX all of which were privately funded.
The LNO with other local community groups sponsored the Gardens Housing project, six buildings involving 500 units of affordable housing in the Area. At the present time the LNO is attempting to find sites that will attract a large supermarket into the area and is involved in the Area Housing Development Project which is involved in purchasing, developing and constructing a mixed income, ownership and rental housing development in several buildings in the area. The LNO is examining the possibilities of new enterprises based on the existing skill levels of the working population to effect a positive change in halting business flight and attracting additional sophisticated industries.
Other business development activities which are being pursued as a result of the LNO's mission are:
A Community Revolving Loan Fund
Community Re-Investment Proposal
Potential Food Cooperative
Health Care Agency Startup
Planning and Development Study
Vocational Training Program
HRP Consortium
The organizational structure of the LNO is the same as that of the CBO. It is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit with a governing board comprised of local residents and community leaders.
Fiscal Responsibility
As evidence of our ability to handle, manage and adequately account for financial resources we have appended a "Schedule of Financial Resources Managed by CBO from 199X to 199X" and refer the reader to the statement made by to CPA in the Appendix. For evidence of ability to use acceptable financial control procedures, please see the appended "Fiscal Internal Control Procedures and Regulations" and a report from the Director of the office of Fiscal management of the Mayor's office of The City. (All appendices are part of this Exhibit.)
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Program Linkages
The CBO and the LNO both have a history of dealing with other community groups and forming partnerships and alliances with other neighborhood organizations and a wide variety of groups and programs.
The CBO has performed these significant linkages over the past ten years with these results.
A co-venture with the Service Agency for transitional housing for battered women. The CBO is the owner and developer and the Service Agency is the tenant. The program houses and counsels battered women and provides them with appropriate legal and social services. Partnership with the Local Housing Development Corporation. for the development of low income housing. Linkage with the Senior Citizens Center of the Area advocacy for the construction of additional elderly and disabled housing. Alliance with the Area Legal Services for the protection of tenants' rights and requiring that landlords provide adequate services. Association with the Community Training Center for job training, counseling and placement services. Partnership with an Hispanic housing non-profit corporation for development of assisted housing, housing advocacy and tenants rights and the Home Improvement program. Affiliation with the Coalition of Neighborhood Women. Affiliation with the Home Improvement Coalition to provide updated Home Improvement services to the residents of The Area.
The LNO has been in partnership with many groups and organizations in attempting to fulfill its mission.
Some of these activities are:
Affiliation with the Opportunity Improvement Corporation in various activities including the building of a community health center and the construction of the Gardens Apartments assisted housing development. At the present time the LNO is engaged with another local non-profit housing organization, in the joint development of a 20 unit housing project on another Street. The LNO is negotiating with the Economic Improvement organization to produce a study of the community. At the present time LNO is attempting to find sites that will attract a large supermarket into the area and is involved in the Area Housing Development which is involved in purchasing, developing and constructing a mixed income, ownership and rental housing development in several buildings in the area. For the purposes of providing proper training and counseling for the HRP program the partnership has approached the Council for Training and Education for help in providing the appropriate specific and broader curriculum that will necessary for the progress of each of the program participants.
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Exhibit 3:
Economic Distress Information
Recruitment Area
The Area is a diverse collection of many communities which includes mixed use residential, retail and small manufacturing firms located in the northern area of The Area. The Area is an ethnic blend with a predominance of Minorities, a large Polish population in north and a significant Chinese population in the south, and the rest of the mix is Hispanic, other Asians and Pacific Islanders and Black. The population has been in continual decline throughout the 19X0's until the last decade. One cause of the population exodus has been the decline of the previously dominant manufacturing base that sustained the community throughout the years between the world war to the 19X0's.
The Area is particularly vulnerable and dependent on expanding employment opportunities for both cultural and demographic reasons. Culturally, the predominance of Hispanic and Chinese populations feature large extended families with many children and therefore require greater financial resources to sustain themselves in difficult times. Furthermore the Chinese population is confined to the area and is unable to search for opportunities elsewhere. Demographically, the population of the Area is unusually youthful. More than one third of the population is under 28 years of age with the majority under 18.
The poverty rate is overwhelming. The Area has one of the highest poverty rates in all of The City. Over one third of the population is below the poverty line. Over 50% of the residents are foreign born and have great difficulty in speaking and writing English. The unemployment rate is over 10% with some census tracts over 20%. And this does not account for the hidden unemployment and underemployment that is pervasive in the local area.
From the figures available at the present time the future looks no better. Half of the available population is in the labor force. Much of this can be traced to the lack of available employable skills, or a mismatch between the skills of the residents and those required by regional industries. Most of the members of the local community who are employed work in low wage jobs such as machine operators, clerical support, service work, sales and general labor. thirteen percent of the population are professionals, managers, or in technical positions, another twelve percent are involved in the crafts. With the emerging young population entering the work force, the Area is drastically in need of new employment possibilities.
The Area, as is the case in many of the neighborhoods of The City, has been losing manufacturing jobs. The firms that provided these positions in the past have and continue to move to other parts of the country and abroad. One in five manufacturing plants left the Area in the last fifteen years but the number of jobs that disappeared in that period in these industries declined by 41%. Those industries that remaining utilize fewer and fewer workers, emphasizing basic skills and experiencing high turnover because of the nature of the employment and the low wages that these jobs pay.
Many of the manufacturing firms that still employed local individuals tend to hire immigrants as machine operators and for other low skilled positions. Technical and skilled positions in local businesses employed educated residents, however, for these skilled positions there is little if any turnover and thus no opportunity for new employment for the emerging youthful population.
The Area is facing an inevitable crisis involving the continuing viability of the surrounding communities and industries to support and employed the local population. Without a significant change in the current trends younger people will be forced to leave to find employment to support their families.
One of the potential areas of economic growth in the next decade is likely to be housing construction. The housing situation is in crisis. After the initial population loss between 19X0 to the 19X0's, the population rose dramatically in the late 19X0's and increased by close to 10% officially in the last decade. Unofficially, we believe the growth was even more dramatic, if only because of the number of immigrants (1/3rd of the community) and the potential for under-reporting in a region where large families, language skills, and closed communities make official census reporting extraordinarily difficult. Thus housing is at a premium and affordable housing even more precious.
With recent changes in zoning concomitant with huge increases in the number of young families its is extremely likely that housing production in the area will be a major development sector in the local economy. Space has been at a premium for the past several years, however the rezoning of vacant industrial space and the federal government's abandonment of the waterfront will provide vast tracts of necessary space for the expansion of both market rate and assisted housing.
In these circumstances training for the construction trades has the potential to have a major impact on the local labor force. The likelihood of both union and non-union employment in construction for building both housing and the resulting infrastructure improvements is likely to be a growth industry in the near future. Training dollars for the purposes of instructing young people in the capability of performing construction work and related tasks is liable to be well spent.
Job training and education is not a luxury for this community and its citizens, it is a necessity.
(see related census data and other information from Community Needs: 199X, The Area as attached in Appendix A)
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Housing Area
The community in which the housing site is located is one in which housing has been identified as a critical need. The shortage of affordable and assisted housing is at a crisis level. Overcrowding is rampant and homelessness pronounced. It will be unlikely that public housing construction alone will be able to effect any change in the near future. Although The City has 2000 units of public housing in development, there is difficulty in finding sites which meet both Federal Housing criteria and are able to pass community standards.
Thus the need for affordable housing will primarily be the province of public-private partnerships, who will have the backing of community support and the capability of producing affordable housing for the residents of the local community.
This will be especially true in the Area where there is a preponderance of public housing (6506 units) as a percentage of assisted units and a resistance to new public housing construction a small portion of the units will go to local residents.
New ways must be found to finance and construct affordable housing. From the census data it can readily be observed that the Area experienced a growth of only 661 units (1.21%) in the past decade, while the population increased by nearly ten percent. Most of the new construction was of market rate units, which had no effect on the population requiring assisted housing.
The vacancy rate of all rental housing in The City is under 5% and in the Area the shortages are even more severe. There is no available public housing and there are over 200,000 families on the waiting lists. There are large numbers of substandard and deteriorated units and many abandoned buildings.
It should also be noted that there are large numbers of young families who as yet are unable to afford the full cost of market rate housing because of their incipient position in the workforce and the wages that the positions that they hold now pay.
It is clear from even a cursory reading of the data that there is a drastic need for new construction of affordable units and within this program the HRP initiative may play an essential role.
(see related census data and other information from Community Needs: 199X, The Area as attached in Appendix A)
To Sample Grant Application No. 2, Page 2
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