Youth for the Environment Service-Learning Grants

About the Gibson County Community Foundation
Founded in 1993, the Gibson County Community Foundation is a charitable organization formed to strengthen our community by awarding grants to local nonprofits, by bringing individuals together to address community needs, and by offering personalized charitable gift planning services to our donors.

The Youth for the Environment Service-Learning Grant Initiative
The Youth for the Environment Service-Learning Grant Initiative is designed to join in the continued efforts of local government and nonprofit agencies to encourage civic pride and responsibility in Gibson County, with a special emphasis on engaging youth in community service activities, intentional learning and personal development.  Projects must be completed within one year of receiving the grant award.  The Gibson County Community Foundation will consider funding for youth service projects that:

• Actively engage Gibson County youth (ages 12 - 18) in the development, preparation and implementation of the service project while utilizing appropriate adult guidance and supervision.
• Promote or enhance environmental stewardship and meet a Gibson County community need.  Examples include neighborhood or park cleanups (trash pickup), debris removal, and public property beautification projects such as the installation of permanent fixtures (i.e. trash receptacles or planters), planting of shrubs, trees, or perennials, or development of a community garden
• Include peer-to-peer education and/or community awareness activities that speak to the importance of the service project and the need for environmental stewardship.

Eligibility
The Community Foundation welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Service Code and other nonprofit organizations, schools, or churches serving Gibson County, Indiana.

Project Areas NOT Considered for Funding

• Salaries
• Labor charges for hired work
• Beautification of private property
• Fundraising events or activities that are designed to raise money for project planners or the applicant organization
• Expenses that are not directly related to carrying out the project

Funding Maximum/Minumum Range
The Gibson County Community Foundation will consider proposals requesting project funding of at least $100 but not more than $1,000.  Funding requests that do not fall within this range will not be considered.

Required Documents

Cover Sheet (see "Online Forms" below)

Narrative Addressing the Following (two to four pages):

Project Summary

• Describe the service project and the specific area of the county that will be served. 
• Explain why your organization/youth project leaders have chosen this service project.
• What are the goals of the project and the expected impact to the community?
• How have youth been involved in the planning of the project and how will they be involved in carrying it out?
• Describe how your organization and youth project leaders will engage in peer-to-peer education and/or community awareness activities to tell others about the service project and the importance of environmental stewardship.
• Please state the name(s) and qualifications of the adult supervisor(s) for the project.

Project Implementation

• How will the project be implemented?
• Chart the timeline for implementing the project.
• If you are requesting a grant for a beautification project, how will the completed project be maintained?

Funding

• What is the total cost of the project?
• What amount is requested from the Foundation? If the full amount of your request for funding cannot be granted, what portion of your request do you consider to be most essential?
• How will requested funds be used?
• What additional funding sources are needed, if any?

Supporting Documents
The following documents are to be attached to the Cover Sheet and Narrative described above. It is important to provide ALL requested attachments and that they be labeled in the following manner:

Attachment 1: Project Budget Worksheet (see "Online Forms" below)

Attachment 2: Copy of IRS determination letter establishing 501(c)(3) and 509(a) status (and fiscal sponsor agreement letter, if applicable)

Attachment 3: Mission statement and nondiscrimination policy

Attachment 4: Current board roster with professional affiliations

Attachment 5: Organization's current annual operating budget

Attachment 6: Most recent financial statement (monthly, quarterly, etc.)

Online Forms
The Cover Sheet Form and the Project Budget Worksheet Form are provided below. These forms are designed to be completed on-screen and then printed (they cannot be submitted on-line and they cannot be saved for retrieval at a later time). You must have Adobe Reader to access these files (Adobe Reader is free and can be downloaded at www.adobe.com/downloads).

Cover Sheet Form
Project Budget Worksheet Form

Deadline and Submission Instructions
The original and 8 copies of the proposal must be postmarked or delivered to the Foundation office no later than 3:30 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2008. Use 8½ by 11 inch paper. Attach all required documents using paperclips or binderclips only (no binders or folders).