Start-Up Grant Program

Application deadline March 15, 2012, 5 pm, no exceptions

Potential funding available from $1,000 to $5,000

Check website for available funding:  August 1st

The Board of Directors invites applications from those who:

• Have a project or program idea that fits the purpose of Gifts to Share, Inc. which is: to support and enhance the City of Sacramento’s park, recreation, cultural, educational, wellness-related, and neighborhood improvement programs and facilities, and those of its partners or citizens of Sacramento
• Want to launch a new project, program, or leverage an existing program or project to reach new audiences
• Need seed money to help get the project started

An emphasis will be placed on those proposals that are meant to be either self-supporting over time and/or increase services though new partnerships. The project or program idea can come from City staff, community groups, service providers, businesses, volunteers, or citizens of Sacramento.

The Grant Review Committee will not consider proposals that are incomplete.
Each question must be answered separately.

1. Give a detailed description of the proposed project or program.
   a. Is this a new project or program?
   b. Is this an existing program or project?
   
   
2. What is the need for the project or program?
   
   
3. Who will benefit from the project or program?
   
   
4. Describe how the project or program fits the purpose of Gifts to Share, Inc. (Do not repeat our purpose statement).
   
   
5. How will the grant money be spent?
   a. Include a detailed budget showing how the grant funds will be spent
   
   
6. What is the total projected budget (in addition to your grant request)?
   a. Provide a detailed budget
   b. Provide a list of other funding sources
   
   
7. What is the projected time frame, including start date, duration, and completion date?
   
   
8. Where do you see this project six months beyond the Gifts to Share Start up Grant?
   
   
9. Provide contact information for the person(s) responsible for the project as well as other individuals helping with the proposed project.
   a. Name
   b. Physical mailing address
   c. Phone number
   d. E-mail
   
   
10. The following completed documents must be provided at the time of application:
    a. W-9
    b. CA- 590
    
    A committee of the Board of Directors will evaluate proposals and either return with a decision or ask for more information within an appropriate amount of time. You have three ways to submit your proposal:
    
    c. Mail to: Gudrun Snyder at 915 I Street, Fifth Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814
    d. Email to: gsnyder@cityofsacramento.org
    e. Fax to: 916-808-7643

If you have any questions or want to discuss a proposal, please call Gudrun Snyder, of Gifts to Share, Inc., at (916) 808-7982.

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Project Examples

Projects that have been funded include:

• Equipment and supplies to create gardening programs at various elementary schools.
• Specialized weightlifting equipment to launch a 50+ Wellness program in partnership with the YMCA and the City's Older Adult Services Section.
• Promotion & equipment for a first annual clean up day with merchant groups, neighborhood groups, and the City of Sacramento.
• Promotion and partial supplies to enable the City of Sacramento to launch a second respite care site at a local church for those caring for family members with Alzheimer's Disease.
• Initial painting supplies and outreach materials for first of several historic murals for commercial buildings along Broadway in Oak Park.
• Supplies for the first annual holiday window painting program along Broadway with Oak Park youth in partnership with neighborhood merchants and the Sacramento Food Bank.

Proposals that have not been funded include:

• Proposals to enhance one-day events, such as requests to pay for food, T-shirts, and/or awards.
• Proposals for help with existing programs such as food, supplies, equipment, professional services.
• Proposals to pay for services or fees to help a group get organized, without any plans to execute specific projects or programs such as membership or filing fees.
  

Photos of Projects
Students, parents, teachers and staff at Keith B. Kenney Elementary School created this beautiful garden with help from Gifts to Share, Inc. for initial tools and supplies.

The Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center, with neighborhood organizations in Oak Park, prepared this vacant lot for a garden, complete with a wrought iron fence, gate, and benches. A Start Up grant provided the "seed money" to get this project going.

Gifts to Share, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization supporting the City of Sacramento's park, recreation, cultural, educational and neighborhood improvement programs and facilities and those of its partners.

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