United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties
Special Grant Program

Intent

The United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties recognizes the need for the development of new programs and expansion of existing programs based upon changes occurring within the human services environment. The intent of this program is to provide one-time grants for innovative human service programs offered to the Douglas and/or Pope County area.

Eligibility

Only those programs that meet the following criteria will be considered for funding through the special grant program:

·         Must be a new program within the agency or an expansion of an existing program

·         Must have measurable goal(s) that makes a positive impact on a community problem

·         Need for the program must be researched and documented

·         Funding must be an immediate need that cannot wait for the next allocation process

·         Program must serve Douglas and/or Pope  County residents

Review Criteria

The following program elements will be evaluated in the review process

·         High risk target population being served

·         Solid evidence of the need for the program

·         Commitment of agency resources to the program and evidence of support from fee paying clients or other funding sources

·         Measurable program objectives and sound evaluation methods

·         Evidence of a communications plan to prospective clients

·         Demonstration of an immediate need.

Procedures – Special Grants

A.     Grant Period

1. Grants are available starting in January of each year. Special Grants will be reviewed quarterly in January, April, July and October.  Special Grant applications will no longer be accepted once the grant monies have been allocated for the year.

2. The Grant Committee reserves the right to require interim reporting and to split the grant funding, depending upon the circumstances.

B.     Application

Grant applications are available by contacting the United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties:

Office Location: 115 3rd Ave W, Alexandria, MN 56308

Phone:  (320) 763-4840

E-mail: UnitedW@rea-alp.com.

C.     Procedure for Review

1. The United Way Grant committee will review all requests and make a recommendation to the Board of Directors who will make the final determination. All applicants will receive feedback from the committee about the reasons for their decision.

2. Please allow 30 days following the end of each quarter to receive feedback on the final determination for your grant.

D.     Evaluation

1. A final report will be required for all funded programs. Interim reporting may be required if deemed appropriate by the board.  These reports will request information about program expenditures, use of the grant funds and program process.

2. Once the interim reports (if required) are reviewed and approved, the balance of the grant funds will be sent to the agency.

A Grant Application form is located at this link:  Grant Application form Once there you can copy and paste it into Microsoft Word, complete the application and send it to us.  Send copy via email and send hardcopy to United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties, PO Box 1148, Alexandria MN 56308