Grant Fund Policy

The Grant Fund is intended to allow Marshfield Area United Way to work on emerging needs and deal with unforeseen circumstances that may arise outside of the normal allocation process. This policy is meant to be used as a guideline for the Community Impact Committee to administer these funds. The Board of Directors, at their discretion, may define other circumstances under which such grants could be given.

PURPOSE - The purpose of the Grant Fund is to:

Underwrite or assist in underwriting programs which would have lasting impact on human service needs, or
Encourage and test new ways of delivering and/or supporting direct human services, or
Respond to issues which could otherwise interfere with the delivery of services, or
Respond to the emerging issues/problems as identified by the three community Vision Councils.

Generally, grants from this fund shall not be used for the financial support of individuals or the purchase of real estate and buildings. It may be used for capital expenditures that enhance and/improve direct client services. Grants are for one-year periods and are generally not renewable.

ELIGIBILITY - To apply for funds the program must meet the following criteria:

A program of a Marshfield Area United Way member agency, or
A program brought under the sponsorship and supervision of an agency which is tax exempt under IRS Code 501(c)(3), or
An agency that has applied for 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status

The program must be available and accessible to citizens of the community without regard to race, religion or creed and operate within the Affirmative Action policy. The proposal must help solve the human service problems facing our community.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

All agencies that submit Grant Fund requests must complete an application form which includes a short narrative that defines the type of grant requested, describes the proposed program or reason for the grant request and identifies the human service need being addressed. An itemized budget for the program period is also required.

Non-United Way member agencies must submit a copy of their IRS Letter of Determination to document their 501(c) (3) tax exempt status or the application for exempt status. Application forms are available from the Marshfield Area United Way and are to be submitted to the Executive Director for screening and processing.

TYPES OF GRANTS AND CRITERIA - VENTURE, EQUIPMENT OR VISION COUNCIL INITIATIVE GRANTS

In order to receive funding, the program should:

Generally be a new service or new approach to resolve an existing problem.
Contribute to meeting the human service needs identified by one of Marshfield Area United Way's Vision Councils. Grant application must be for one of the identified priority needs.
Not duplicate the services provided by other programs.
Have realistic goals, objectives and financial plans.
Determine future funding sources after the one-year period.
Any grant request for equipment must include supporting documentation as to how the purchase will enhance and/or improve the delivery of direct client services to people within the Marshfield area. Anticipated benefits to the community and/or agency should be included as well. Specific item and price information is required.

Restrictions - United Way funds are to be used for current operating costs only. Capital equipment needs must be met through grants or donor designated gifts. An agency may use only moneys budgeted within a year for its operations. Appropriate adjustments in future payments will be made where draws from United Way are not needed. An agency must confer with United Way Executive Committee before it accepts a donor-designated gift or proceeds of a capital fund-raising event whenever the capital item or funds involved would significantly increase the agency's operational costs. In the review process, it will be incumbent upon the agency to document a need for the designated service or capital item and to state the projected operating costs involved in a planned capital expenditure.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING - The applying agency/program must currently be funded by Marshfield Area United Way in the stated application year. In order to receive additional funding support, the supplemental funding should be:

Unforseen and unknown at the time of the agency's budgeting process.
Non-recurring or a plan of continuance after grant year must be documented.
Due to unexpected increases in numbers served

PAYMENT DISTRIBUTION - Depending on the amount awarded, grants may be distributed in installments per the Board's discretion. All grant recipients will be required to complete follow up progress reports on the funds received.

Grant Application - Download application to apply for funding.