Foundation / Corporation
Spirit Mountain Community Fund (SMCF)
10/13/18
11/02/18
Grants of up to $7,500 to Northwest Oregon nonprofit organizations and government agencies for community benefit projects in the funding source's service area. Applicants must submit a letter of inquiry by January 20. Program areas include education, arts and culture, health, environmental preservation, problem gaming, historic preservation, and public safety.
The Funds supports nonprofits within the following counties: Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill. Please note, government agencies may apply for projects in Polk and Yamhill counties only.
Although projects from all of the above program areas are funded, the following priority areas receive special attention:
Health:
- Healthy Mothers/Healthy Children
- Overcoming Obesity
- Oral Health
Education
- Ready for School
- Reading Success
- Effective Education for All - Support for children who struggle in school and those considered at risk
Environment
- River Health, including water quality, river habitat conservation and restoration, fish restoration, reducing toxic pollution
- Environmental Justice - projects that promote the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
GrantWatch ID#: 177338
Small grants are limited to $7,500.
Multi-year funding requests are ineligible.
The Spirit Mountain Community Fund supports:
- 501(c)3 organizations in the Fund's 11 county service area: Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill
- Government agencies in Polk and Yamhill counties
- Projects that fall into one of the Fund's seven program areas (described above)
As a relatively small funder, there are some projects that simply fall out of the Fund's funding scope and are not eligible:
- Organizations that have not completed their previous SMCF grant.
- Debt retirement
- Domestic animal programs (Shelters)
- Economic development or community revitalization
- Events including fundraisers, conferences, concerts, and sponsorships.
- Indirect or overhead costs, except those expenses that specifically and essentially relate to the grant project. These costs should be a small percent of the total request
- Institutions that in policy or practice unfairly discriminate based on race, ethnic origin, sex, creed or religion.
- Multi-year funding.
- Pass-through funding to organizations that are not tax-exempt.
- Projects or organizations that propagandize or influence elections
- Projects within sectarian or religious organizations that primarily serve their own members or adherents.
- Replacement funding for activities or materials previously supported by federal, state or local public funds.
- Sporting complexes, equipment, or other sports related projects.
Grantwriting Workshop:
Throughout the year, SMCF holds pre-application workshops at various locations. This step-by-step walk-through of the application is free and all are welcome. Attendance is not required, but encouraged, especially for newer organizations or grant writers.
Workshop Date: 01/31/2018
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Registration Deadline: 01/30/2018
Location: The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Employment Services Building - 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Small grant proposals are accepted and funded monthly. To see the monthly deadlines, see the Community Calendar:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/calendar
Small grant LOI's are reviewed by staff, and applicants are notified of their status within a few days of the deadline.
Please note, requests may not exceed 50% of the project budget.
The application process is straightforward. It is important that your project is well planned before approaching the Fund for funding, and that your budget is finalized.
Application Process:
- Check eligibility
- Submit Letter of Inquiry - The Letter of Inquiry, or LOI, is your gateway to funding. It will be reviewed by staff (small grants) or the Board of Trustees (large) and you will either be invited to submit a full application, or be declined. This process includes a short eligibility quiz, contact information, a brief description of your organization, your proposal and a budget overview. You will be notified if you are accepted within a few days of the deadline.
- Attend Grant Writing Workshop (optional)
- Submit Full Application - If your Letter of Inquiry is accepted, you will receive an email invitation to submit a grant application. The invitation will contain instructions, deadlines, and staff contact information. The Fund strongly advises that you review the instructions immediately. There are items that must be addressed in advance of your submittal.
The majority of the full application is comprised of templates that you will download, complete, and upload back to the application in the same manner as the budget template for the LOI.
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Apply:
Step 1: Log in to online application system at https://www.thecommunityfund.com/login. Your application coversheet will be an available form. It should be populated with information from your LOI. Be sure all the fields are filled.
Step 2: Download and complete the most current Application Templates. The Fund recommend screating a desktop folder for all related documents and templates. (See supporting documents below for Templates.)
Step 3: Compile additional documents. A list of required documents is on the URL for Full Text (RFP) link below. You will be asked to upload these files at the end of your application.
Step 4: Upload, review and submit application. The online system will walk you through uploading all documents and information. A confirmation email will be sent upon submittal. Be sure the email is confirming submittal and not just saving.
Additional Links:
Eligibility:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/grants-programs/eligibility
About the Fund:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/about-us
Application Instructions:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/grants-programs/writing-your-application
Letter of Inquiry Instructions:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/grants-programs/letter-of-inquiry
FAQs:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/grants-programs/faqs/
Full Application Instructions:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/grants-programs/writing-your-application
Application Documents:
https://www.thecommunityfund.com/grants-programs/application-documents/
Small Grant Calendar:
LOI Deadlines:
10/13/2017, 11/15/2017, 01/20/2018, 04/14/2018, 07/14/2018, 10/13/2018
Application Deadlines:
12/15/2017, 12/15/2017, 02/14/2018, 05/04/2018, 08/03/2018, 11/02/2018
Notification:
01/31/2018, 01/31/2018, 04/04/2018, 06/28/2018, 09/25/2018, 01/03/2019
Check Presentation:
03/14/2018, 03/14/2018, 6/13/2018, 09/12/2018, 12/12/2018, 03/13/2019
Before starting your grant application, please review the funding source's website listed below for updates/changes/addendums/conferences/LOIs.
Apply online:
https://www.grantrequest.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2faccountmanager.aspx%3fsid%3d357&sid=357
The link to register for the January 31st grantwriting workshop is not yet available. Please check back here: https://www.thecommunityfund.com/calendar
Address:
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, OR 97347
Phone: (503) 879-1400
Fax: (503) 879-1402
Staff Contact:
Julia Willis, Grants Coordinator
Email: julia.willis@thecommunityfund.com
Phone: (503) 879-1637
USA: Oregon: Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties
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