Guidelines
and Applications Procedures
Guidelines
How to Apply
Documents Needed
Guidelines
1. Applicants
must qualify under Sections 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code and be classified as a public charity. Churches and governmental
agencies are exempted.
2. Healthcare,
higher education, and community service are the primary fields
of interest, receiving about 90% of the Foundation's funding.
Other more limited areas of interest are arts, culture, historic
preservation, religion and the environment.
3. Grants
are made for capital improvements, project support or special
programs, generally not operational support.
4. Cabarrus
County is the primary geographic area of interest, although grants
are made throughout North Carolina, especially in rural areas.
5. The Foundation
does not make grants:
- to individuals;
- to endowment
funds;
- for loans;
or
- for scholarships
or fellowships.
6. The Foundation
does not make multiyear pledges. A minimum of one year is required
between proposals from all applicants whether the request was
approved or declined. In addition, frequent grants are not made
to the same organization unless requests are substantially different
from previous requests.
7. Grants
for start-up funds or seed money are not an area of interest of
the Foundation.
8. Applicants
must show reliable evidence that the project can be sustained
financially on a continuing basis.
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How
to Apply
It is necessary
to complete the Foundation's original application form which is
available only from the Foundation office by request. Applications
may be requested in writing or by telephone; in either case a
brief description of the organization and the purpose for which
the grant is sought is necessary.
There are
four grant cycles per year. Deadlines are January 5, April 5,
July 5, and October 5. Applications must be received-not merely
postmarked-by these dates, or by 5:00 p.m. on the next business
day following the deadline date when these dates fall on weekends
or holidays. Notification of the Directors' decision will be mailed
to the applicant approximately 10 to 12 weeks following each deadline
date.
Applications
normally are sent only to the organization's chief executive officer,
executive director, or president; be sure to include that individual's
name, address and telephone number.
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Documents
Needed
To apply for
a grant, the following documents must be completed and filed with
The Foundation:
Application
Form. It must be signed by the Chief Executive Officer or
Board Chairman of the applying organization.
Proposal.
A project description of no more than five pages, including the
following:
Program/Project
Budget. A one page, line-item budget identifying the income
detail and expenses of the program or project.
Organization
Budget. Current annual operating budget.
Certification
of tax-exempt status. A copy of the organization's letter(s)
from the Internal Revenue Service indicating the tax-exempt status
and whether or not it is a private foundation under the 1969 Tax
Reform Act. Governmental agencies need not submit a tax-exempt
letter.
Governing
body. A list of the members of the organization's governing
board including their relevant experience.
Audit Report.
Most recent audit report of the organization.
IRS Form
990. Copy of the organization's most recent IRS Form 990.
Optional
materials. Additional descriptive materials may be submitted
to supplement the application.
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