About 2009 Operating Funds Grants
Please Note: Proposals for the next round (tentatively scheduled for October 15th) should not be submitted prior to September 1st. In the interim, requests for operating/core support may be considered under our Responsive and Grassroots Grants programs. More information about Meyer Memorial Trust's support for core operations is available here.
As part of MMT’s response to very challenging economic conditions, MMT is launching 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 CEO Doug Stamm's recent message on MMT’s blog.
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/general operating support
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 human services and those who fill other key roles in their communities
Please note: Organizations that do not meet this program's eligibility criteria - including
organizations that are past recipients of a Grassroots Grant/Small Grant ONLY - should apply for support through MMT's Responsive and Grassroots grant programs.
Timelines and Process
MMT will offer two funding rounds through this program in calendar year 2009:
Spring – application deadline of April 15, 2009, with anticipated awards announcement in June 2009.
- Fall – tentative application deadline of October 15, 2009, with anticipated awards announcement in December 2009.
Organizations may only receive one grant through this program.
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
Proposals for the next round (tentatively scheduled for October 15th) should not be submitted prior to September 1st. Below are the application questions/instructions for your reference until then. 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.
Please use the following guide to complete the Initial Inquiry application form:
Short Project Description:
Please put “Operating Grant” in this field.
Organizational Summary:
Complete all sections.
Summarize your organization: Please limit your response to one brief paragraph.
Project summary:
- 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 funding gap.
- The circumstances that led up to the current situation.
- When and how the funding gap was realized, and if it had been anticipated.
- 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?
- What are the consequences to the community and to the organization if bridge funding is not secured?
- 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.
Sustainability:
- What do you expect your organization’s financial situation will be after a year?
- What additional changes in revenue or expenses do you anticipate within the next two years?
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.
- Approved organizational budget for this fiscal year and projections for next fiscal year, if available.
Questions about the guidelines or application instructions should be emailed to MMT's grants administration department.
