Overview
The Legacy Foundation provides Direct Response Good Practice Grants of up to $5,000 to help nonprofits make long-term improvements in their management, governance, or organizational capacity.
These grants may be used to support capacity building activities that include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic planning
- Financial management, including cash flow, budget development, financial controls
- Evaluation planning
- Communications and marketing, including Website development, public relations, use of social media
- Resource development and fundraising
- Human resources, including professional development, succession planning, staffing structure, assessment, and retention
- Information systems management, including technology enhancements
- Board development including assessment, recruitment, training, and structuring
- Restructuring and building relationships with other nonprofit organizations to strengthen service delivery, reduce costs, share resources, etc.
Eligibility
Good Practice Grants are provided to nonprofit organizations that:
1
Are tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or are qualified public governmental entities
2
Provide services in Wapello County
3
Have obtained full board support to participate in capacity program
Exclusions
Direct Response Good Practice Grants are not made:
- To organizations that discriminate against certain groups or individuals in the delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability
- For propagandizing, influencing legislation and/or elections, political campaigns or for litigation
- To individuals or for-profit organizations
- For deficits or debt reduction
- For renovations or capital improvements
Application
Please submit Direct Response Good Practice Grant proposals in the form of a Word or PDF document to Amy Nossaman, Grants Program Manager, in person, via email or mailed directly to: Legacy Foundation, 111 E. Main St., Ottumwa, IA 52501. Direct Response Good Practice Grants have no cycle deadline and requests are accepted throughout the year. Proposals should be no more than three pages total with the following information included:
Cover Letter – Provide a brief letter that includes the organization’s name, address, and phone number where a contact person may be reached. Briefly state the purpose of the request and the amount of money being requested. The letter should be signed by the board chair and executive director of the applying organization (or authorized equivalent).
Proposal – The proposal should address the following:
- Organization’s background. Its mission, primary programs, people served, and date organized.
- Project Concept. Please provide a description of your project and related activities. Include specifically what issue of capacity building your project will address. Explain why this grant is needed now and what the specific goals are.
- Evaluation. How will you determine the success of the project and measure the impact. Did the project enhance the effectiveness of the organization in an enduring manner?
- Project Consultant (if applicable). Please describe credentials and/or expertise and how they were selected.
- Timetable. Show the time schedule to achieve the project’s goals (grants are generally completed within a year unless special considerations are required)
- Budget. Cost of the project detailing expenses, the amount of funding already secured (if applicable), and the amount requested from ORLF
- Exempt Status. In addition, 501(c)3 organizations must attach a copy of the current I.R.S. determination letter concerning its non-profit status.
Once an application is received, an award determine can generally be reached in 4-6 weeks.
