Substance Abuse

Request for Proposal FAQs

Round 2, 2012 Funding

What organizations are eligible to apply for funding?

• The organization must be a not-for-profit corporation or chartered as a local unit of a not-for-profit corporation that has an Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c) (3) status or have a designated fiscal agent that has a 501 (c) (3) status.

 Who can answer questions?

• Larry Hinton – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 785-228-5127.

When is the Concept Paper due?

• It must be received electronically by Larry Hinton by 12:00 noon on February 22, 2012. Late submissions will not be accepted, even if postmarked on or before February 22, 2012. Applicants are encouraged to utilize a return receipt request feature for verification.

Is there a page limit?

• The concept paper must be three pages or less, not including the program budget, with 12 point font. There is no page limit for the proposal.

If I do not submit a concept paper by February 22, may I still submit a proposal?

• No.  Organizations must first submit a concept paper by noon on February 22 to be invited to submit a proposal.  Proposals submitted without prior approval of the concept paper will not be reviewed.

When is the proposal due?

• It must be received (in both electronic and hard copy as requested) at the United Way of Greater Topeka front desk by 12:00 noon sharp on April 4.  
• Late submissions will not be accepted, even if postmarked on or before April 4.

Who will review the proposal and make funding decisions?

• Volunteers will review the proposals and make funding recommendations to the UWGT Board of Directors.

What is the funding period?

• The grant is for the period June 2012 through May 2015. All grants are renewable annually based on performance.

Are there minimum/maximum funding amounts?

• Applicants may request no less than $20,000 and no more than $75,000 per year. (See Page 12 for Funding Specifications)

Is funding guaranteed at the full amount for all years of the multi-year cycle?

• Funding is dependent on performance of the organization in fulfilling program objectives stated in the proposal and all other requirements, and on the continued revenue stream of UWGT.  All efforts will be made on the part of UWGT to maintain stable levels of funding, but UWGT reserves the right to decrease funding as necessary.

Is there an opportunity to appeal a funding decision?

• All funding decisions are final.  There is no process for appeal.

Will there be a site visit?

• The occurrence of site visits will be determined each cycle by UWGT volunteers.  If a site visit is needed, you will be notified.

Who is the target population?

• Youth ages 10-13 years, living in neighborhoods served by Eisenhower Middle School and its feeder schools.

Can an organization submit a proposal for more than one RFP?

• Yes.  One proposal may be submitted per organization for each RFP.  Organizations may submit more than one proposal during the same RFP funding cycle, but not more than one for the same RFP.

Can an organization submit a proposal in one RFP impact area and then be a sub-grantee for another organization that applies under the same RFP impact area?

• Yes.  An agency can apply for funding as the primary agency, and can also be listed as a sub-grantee in the concept paper and proposal submitted by a different agency.  The primary agency must meet the organizational requirements listed in the RFP.  Sub-grantees must be listed in the concept paper and proposal.

Are individual schools or school programs considered 501(c) (3) entities?

• No.  Schools are not 501(c) (3) entities.  However, if the district has a foundation that is a 501(c) (3) and meets the organizational requirements listed in the RFP, the foundation could submit a concept paper and proposal in each impact area, but no more than one in each impact area.

Can an organization apply for funding to serve clients outside of the initial target population?

• Yes.  We know our initial target populations are very specific.  We expect proposed programs to significantly increase service to the target population over the three-year funding period.  Proposals that address creating substantial positive change within the target population will be the most competitive.

What about the goals and strategies that do not have an RFP release now?

• There will be additional opportunities for funding later in 2012.

Does an organization need to submit a copy of the Form 990?

• No.  You do not need to submit a copy of the Form 990.  Do provide the year for which the 990 was filed, and the date (month/day/year) on which the Form 990 was filed, as requested on the Checklist/Cover Sheet for the proposal.

In the concept paper, can we format our response so that the questions on the form are in bold but our answers are in regular font?

• Yes.