Grant Process: Frequently Asked Questions
Grant Process FAQ
Qualification Questions
What are the eligibility requirements that nonprofits must meet to apply for a grant?
· Must be defined as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code required to file an annual 990 (990/990EZ/990N)
· Registered with Florida Division of Corporations as a nonprofit and filed a current year annual report
· Registered to Solicit Contributions from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) with annual filing current unless exempt
· Demonstrate inclusion and equality policies and practices within organization and services
· Must have a non-discrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
· If the nonprofit is a religious organization, it must have a separate tax-exempt public charity status not under the umbrella of a church, synagogue or other bodies of worship
· Not a prior year winner
What are the eligibility requirements that a grant project must meet?
· Serve residents and expend grant funds fully in Escambia and/or Santa Rosa counties
· Grant project must be a new program or an expansion of existing program
· The total project budget must use the full Sunday’s Child grant
· Expend grant funds within 18 months of award
What does not meet eligibility for grant funding?
· General operating expenses or overhead
· Debt reduction or operational deficits
· Grants to individuals
· Endowment funding
· Interim or bridge funding
· Partisan, legislative, or political activity
· Faith-based projects/programs which require participation in activities of a particular faith, denomination, or religion to benefit from the project or program.
· Capital improvements or renovations to property for the grant project where the organization does not own or have at least a three-year lease and written approval for the project from the property owner.
Letter of Intent (LOI) Questions
Why does a Letter of Intent have to be submitted each year prior to applying for a grant?
To ensure that your organization has met both the IRS and state eligibility requirements for the current year prior to spending the time preparing an application.
How is the Letter of Intent submitted and what should be done prior to submitting it online?
The Letter of Intent (LOI) is completed online at http://www.sundayschild.org/loi after:
1. Tax-exempt Public Charity under IRS Code 501(c)(3): Check current listing on IRS Tax Charity Search and have a copy of Department of Treasury Letter of Determination granting the organization's status as a tax-exempt public charity under IRS Code 501(c)(3).
2. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS): Registered to solicit contributions and annual report is current.
3. Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations: Registered to do business in Florida and 2023 annual report filed.
4.Non-discrimination policy: Must be inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
Can my organization submit a Letter of Intent if the 501(c)(3) is pending?
While a Letter of Intent can be submitted with an explanation and date of submission of the IRS 1023 Form requesting 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, if the 501(c)(3) determination letter is not received by the grant application deadline, your grant application will be disqualified.
What is the deadline for the Letter of Intent? What happens if an LOI is not submitted?
Deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is February 26, 2024 at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time. Your organization will be ineligible to submit a grant application if an LOI is not submitted.
Grant Application Questions
What is the due date for Sunday’s Child application?
April 5, 2024 at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time.
How is the grant application accessed and completed?
The grant application is now cloud based using Community Force Software. The application and it’s supporting documentation must be submitted electronically. In order to receive access to the application you must submit a qualifying Letter of Intent (LOI).
What is the significance of the Executive Summary?
The Executive Summary should provide a clear, concise, persuasive overview of your organization, project and how awarding the grant will have a positive impact on inclusion, diversity and the community while furthering Sunday’s Child mission and vision. It is recommended that the Executive Summary be written after completing the application to ensure key points are captured. If your organization becomes a finalist, your Executive Summary will be sent to all our members prior to voting for the grant awardees. Helpful resource: https://fundingforgood.org/simple-steps-to-write-an-executive-summary/
Do we have to be a specific LGBTQ Organization or have a project that is specific to the LGBTQ community to apply for a grant?
No, however, you grant application must include your organization’s efforts to promote equality and inspire inclusion. Your organization must have a nondiscrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identify/expression.
What are common application errors to avoid/correct before submitting the application?
· Key organizational contact information (name, email, phone #) incorrect
· Requested organization’s financial information for past 2 years not provided
· Requested supporting documentation for the project not provided (e.g. cost estimates for equipment, personnel, construction)
· Questions left unanswered or incompletely answered
· Project Budget revenue and expenses are not adequately documented and not equal.
· Sunday’s Child Budget expenses not equal to the Sunday’s Child grant amount
· Application answers not completed using the Adobe Reader which limits the font and character limit of the answers.
Can we resubmit the same application if we did not win last year?
You can certainly submit a project proposal again as long as the organizational and project information is current, estimates and financial information is updated.
Site Visit Questions
Will Site Visits be in person or virtual?
(NEW) Facility Pre-Site visits are in person for applicants that has a project that requires modification to their facility. Organization will provide a 15 minute tour of your facility, providing a clearer picture of your project. Scores are not based on having a facility. There is no advantage over other applicants. These visits will be conducted by our grant chairs.
The applicant will still have site visit conducted virtually during May-April 2024. All organizations will receive a virtual site visit. The Grant Review Committee will use online video conferencing Zoom platform
What should we expect during a site visit?
This is a time for you to share your organization’s story, your goals and plans for the future. During the site visit, you will have the opportunity to explain your project in more detail than can be shared in the application. The site visit allows you to share your passion for the project. The Grant Review Committee members, will ask question regarding the application and seek clarification on any issues that they have identified.
How many organization representatives can we have during a site visit?
It is recommended that no more than five (5) from your organization is present and that you include someone familiar with your organization and the project along with a financial representative or have the ability to contact one should questions be asked regarding your organization’s financial status. Representatives should have sound knowledge of the project.
How long will the site visit take?
Site visits are scheduled for one hour, your organization can present any information or virtual tour for about 45 minutes and allow 15 minutes at the end for the Sunday’s Child Grant Review Committee site visit members to ask questions.
What are Wish Lists?
Any organization that applies for a grant with Sunday’s Child has the opportunity to complete a wish list form that will be posted on our website for one year. This is an opportunity for Sunday’s Child members to support local organizations outside of the grant award.
Does Sunday's Child give direct feedback on why our grant application was not selected as a finalist?
No. Since there are a limited number of grants awarded, not being selected as a finalist may be due to the number of good quality projects that will help our community while also promoting Sunday's Child mission and vision. Indirect feedback is provided in the form of additional information requested during the grant review process.
Finalist Questions
How will I know if our organization is a finalist?
Sunday’s Child Grant Co-Chair will reach out to all finalists via phone and non-finalist will be contacted by email.
What are the next steps if my organization is selected as a finalist?
Representatives from your organization will be required to attend our finalist meeting via ZOOM in May 2024, where we will go over and have you sign a master grant agreement. This grant agreement will ensure that the funds are expended according to Sunday’s Child procedures.
We will go over your video presentation requirements along with assigning a date and time for critiques. All video critiques will take place in June 2024.
All finalists will provide a 5-minute presentation video that will be played to our members who will vote on the winner during our annual meeting on June 30, 2024.
Awarded Grant Questions
What are the next steps if my organization is awarded a grant?
A representative from your organization will attend the How to Navigate After Winning a Grant Workshop which is TBD in June 2024. At this time, your organization will be assigned a liaison from Sunday’s Child Board who will maintain ongoing contact during the expenditure of the grant.