The purpose of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation is to provide grants to 501(c)(3) organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service that enhance and enrich education and economic opportunities, especially for children and families, in the Chamber service area.
The Foundation sees its main role as being that of
- the provider of “seed money” for new services, and
- the allocator of funds to fill needs which are not met by any other organizations or sources
In general, the Foundation will grant funds for special purposes that do not commit the Foundation to recurring expenses.
Please read the guidelines and required materials list before applying.
2024 Grant Applications due February 26
Required Materials for Grant Application
Mission Statement
A mission statement and current goals for the organization or organizations, if this is a collaborative effort. A brief description of the organization or each collaborating organization including history, current services and how this project supports those missions.
Project Narrative
The Foundation Trustees are interested primarily in how the proposed project will help the organization achieve its established goals, solve a critical problem or prepare for the next steps in its development to meet the stated needs. These issues should be addressed in a concise narrative of three (3) to five (5) pages covering the requirements listed 1 – 7 below. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to identify best practices, to explore solutions emerging from nonprofit and business management theory, and to collaborate with others in their field and community.
1. A DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEMS OR CONDITIONS THE PROJECT IS INTENDED TO ADDRESS:
- Need for the project; its uniqueness and non-duplication
- What outcome do you seek? (Outcomes are long-range and broad in scope)
- What methods will you use to achieve the end result or outcome(s)? (Methods are short-term, concrete and measurable)
- What activities will you carry out to achieve the project objectives?
- The people, who will be served by the project, including the number you estimate will benefit from it.
- The geographic area the project will directly affect.
- Methods for measuring your success. How will you know that you have met your objectives? If the project is to serve as a model, how will information be disseminated? (If you receive a multi-year grant, you will be asked to submit an evaluation report and pictures, if appropriate, on a semi-annual basis until the project is completed and then a final report.)
- Anything else that might help us to understand what you are trying to accomplish and why.
2. PERSONNEL:
List the personnel who will work on the project and their qualifications OR if not yet hired, please include a job description for each individual to be hired.
3. BOARD INVOLVEMENT:
Will any of the board members be involved and if so, how?
If this is a collaborative effort, please describe how each organization is integrated into the project; either a flowchart or a brief narrative is acceptable.
4. TIMETABLE:
Show the timetable you have set to achieve your objectives.
5. PROJECT FUNDING:
Give details of any funding you have already received or requested for your project (how much, from whom, and for what). Explain how the funds requested from The Chamber Foundation will be used. What are your continuing funding plans?
6. PROPOSAL (INCOME & EXPENSE) BUDGET:
Provide a full budget breakdown. Detail projected overall expenses for your project and itemize the portion requested from The Chamber Foundation. If a consultant is utilized, a specific and brief description of how that person will be used, the consultant’s special qualifications for the assignment and a resume. Please indicate consultant’s daily rate.
7. EVALUATION:
Include an evaluation plan that shows how the organization(s) will know to what extent the project has succeeded. The plan should state how the evaluation would be carried out, when the results will be known, and should include quantified measures wherever possible. Successful applicants will be asked to submit a final project report that includes results of the evaluation.
Financial Statements
An audited financial statement for the most recent year from existing Organizations. Where an audited Statement is unavailable, a Treasurer’s Report will be acceptable. For an organization in the formative stage, a projected budget is required.
Tax-Exempt Status
Attach a copy of your 501(c)(3) and each participating organization’s 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter from the Internal Revenue Service (not a letter from the State). If you are a public agency, so signify.
NOTE: A Federal Income Tax exemption letter dated after 1969. Exemption letters dated prior to 1969 and State Exemption Certificates are not acceptable. Only a municipality is exempt from this requirement.
A new or updated Federal Tax Exemption Letter may be obtained through:
Internal Revenue Service Customer Service Unit
P.O. Box 1680
Brooklyn, NY 11202-1680
You will also need to provide the most recent From 990 for each participating organization. If an agency is not required to file a 990 Form, please explain and document.
Board List
List each participating organization’s current Board of Directors with their names, addresses and affiliations. A brief bio of each board member is very helpful.
Letters of Commitment
If a collaborative effort, letters of commitment signed by the President or Chairman of the respective governing boards must be attached. The letters should indicate that the proposal has been reviewed and approved by the respective governing board and specify the agreed upon FISCAL AGENT for the project.
Fiscal Agent Responsibilites
If your organization(s) has a different Fiscal Agent be prepared to include their information in the application.
Form 990
Most recent Form 990 for each participating organization. If an agency is not required to file a Form 990, please explain and document.
Additional Application Information you will need
- Full-time, part-time employee and volunteer information
- Population served (total number, geographic area served)
Quick Attachment Checklist
- Mission Statement
- Project Narrative
- Financial Statements
- 501 (c)(3) certification letter
- Board List
- Letters of Commitment
- Form 990
Policies and Guidelines
- Grants will be made on an annual basis, generally in a lump sum. However, the Directors reserve to themselves the option of paying large grants over a multi-year period.
- Grants shall be limited to tax-exempt 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, equal opportunity organizations recognized as such by the Internal Revenue Service.
- The grantee must demonstrate financial responsibility.
- No single grantee shall receive all of the available funding in any one calendar year.
- Partial grants may be awarded at the discretion of the Directors.
- Special consideration may be given to grantees whose programs offer the possibility of matching grants.
- Grantees must prioritize requests should more than one item be requested.
- Grants will not be made to individuals, for endowments, for deficit financing, or for reimbursement for items purchased prior to grant request.
- Applications made for a project or program in cooperation with another agency(ies) must include letters of commitment to the project or program from the supporting agency(ies).
- Complete original applications, including all required supporting data, for grants must be submitted by February 26, 2024 midnight.
- A letter will be sent to all applicants whether their application was approved or denied.
- A report of the expenditure of each grant is required by February 1 of the following year. If for any reason you are unable to use the full amount of the grant during the period of time for which the grant was
approved, or for the purpose intended, etc., you must immediately report your circumstances to the Foundation Directors. Any unused funds from a grant are to be returned to the Foundation with the final report. Acknowledgements are not considered a report.