About 2009 Operating Funds Grants
Please Note: The Fall 2009 round of the Operating Funds Grants Program is now closed. Applicants will be notified of the Trust's decision in mid-December.
As part of MMT’s response to very challenging economic conditions, MMT has launched an Operating Funds grant program to help small- and mid-sized organizations that have been hit particularly hard by the current economic crisis. Additional information on MMT’s economic response can be found in on MMT's blog.
The Operating Fund includes two rounds: Spring 2009 (awards announced in June 2009) and Fall 2009 (applications accepted beginning September 1, 2009 with a deadline of October 1, 2009.)
The purpose of this initiative is organizational stability. Organizations for which a cash infusion is not critical to stability, but wish to request funds to maintain or expand current programming, should continue to apply for support through MMT’s Responsive and Grassroots Grant programs, as usual.
Description
Program Goal: To help sustain small- and mid-sized organizations that play a critical role in their communities, whose stability is seriously jeopardized due to current economic conditions and for which a modest cash infusion will be critical to weathering the economic storm.
Type of award: Bridge funding
Awards: Grants of up to $50,000 will be made. MMT anticipates receiving more requests than it is positioned to fund.
Award period: One year
Requirements
Basic eligibility criteria (in addition to MMT’s general eligibility requirements:
- Recipient of an MMT General Purpose/Responsive Grant/Program Related Investment within the past five years (since January 2004), and in good standing.
- Annual operating budget of $50,000 to $3 million (excluding in-kind)
- Organization’s sustainability is at risk due to economic conditions (as opposed to other organizational challenges)
- A grant of $50,000 would have significant impact on organizational health and stability
- Organizations in all fields/focus areas may apply; priority will be given to those providing critical services and those who fill other key roles in their communities
- Organizations may only receive one grant through this program. Organizations that received an award in the spring round of funding are not eligible to reapply.
Please note: Organizations that do not meet this program's eligibility criteria should apply for support through MMT's Responsive and Grassroots grant programs.
Timelines and Process
Applications will be accepted beginning September 1, 2009. Please do not submit a proposal prior to September 1. Application deadline is October 1, 2009. Awards announcement is anticipated in December 2009.
- Applications will be accepted through MMT's Responsive Grant inquiry process.
- To allow for timely awards, a one-stage application process will be used, rather than MMT’s usual two-stage Responsive Grant process of an inquiry followed by a full proposal.
- To support the decision-making process, MMT staff may request additional information and/or schedule a site visit.
Fall 2009 Application Instructions
MMT welcomes responses to the Fall round of this program September 1 through October 1, 2009. Please submit responses via MMT’s Responsive Grant Initial Inquiry application form. Applicants who have not used MMT’s online application system must register their organization before accessing the application form. Access the application here.
Before starting the application, please read the program FAQs here.
Please use the following guide to complete the Initial Inquiry application form:
Organizational Summary:
- Complete all sections.
- Summarize your organization: Please limit your response to one brief paragraph.
Project summary:
- Short Project Description Field
- Please put “2009 Operating Funds Grant” in this field.
- Length of project: Enter one year, beginning January 1, 2010.
- Project description:
- Describe why the organization is in need of bridge funding at this time. Be sure to include:
- The organization’s current financial situation and clear description of the deficit projected for the end of the fiscal year.
- The circumstances that led up to the current situation.
- When and how the funding gap was realized, and if it had been anticipated.
- What are the consequences to the community and to the organization if bridge funding is not secured? Clearly describe any reductions in services, numbers of people affected and how, and the potential impact on other organizations in your community.
- Describe how the board of directors has been engaged in discussions and decisions about the organization’s financial situation.
- Describe any actions that board and management have taken to address the situation and identify when these actions were taken.
- For example, have reserve funds been tapped? Have there been reductions in staffing? Has programming been reduced? Have other operating expenses been reduced? Has board giving increased? Have new strategies for revenue generation been explored?
- Has the organization explored partnering with other organizations providing similar services to meet the community’s needs? If so, please explain.
Budget Summary:
- Describe how a general operating grant of up to $50,000 would improve the stability of the organization.
- Describe any organizational reserve and/or quasi-endowment funds. If funds exist, describe the organization’s plans for these funds, reasoning of how much to maintain in reserves, and any restrictions on funds.
Sustainability:
- What do you expect your organization’s financial situation will be after a year?
Please email the following supplemental financial information, indicating the name of the organization in the body of the message:
- Profit and loss statements* for the past fiscal year and current fiscal year-to-date.
- Balance sheets for last fiscal year and current fiscal year-to-date.
- Organizational budgets for the prior year, this fiscal year and projections for next fiscal year.
*Please provide high-level/summarized versions, not detailed statements. If sending audited documents, please do no include functional expenses.
Questions about the guidelines or application instructions should be emailed to MMT's grants administration department.
