Teens for Change - Grant Application

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

DEADLINE: Proposals must be in the TRCF office by 5 PM on Friday, March 13th, 2015

Three Rivers Community Foundation’s Teens for Change program announces the availability of grant funds to support projects for youth-led projects or projects designed specifically for youth that promote social change (including disability rights; economic justice; environmental justice; LGBTQ rights; racial justice; and women’s rights). Grants will range from $250 to $2,000.

Teens for Change is an organization centered in Pittsburgh with the intent to encourage student- led groups to raise awareness about issues affecting youth by sponsoring them financially.

SELECTION CRITERIA Applicants must have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service OR must establish that their activities are consistent with those of a 501(c)(3) organization. Organizations must be based in the 10-county Southwestern Pennsylvania region (including the counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, and Westmoreland). In evaluating each application, funding decisions will be made based on the following criteria. Priority consideration will be given to programs that are:

· Youth-led projects and those that are promoting youth activism; · Projects addressing persistent divisions in society based on race, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, class, religion, disability, sex, ancestry, or national origin; · Grassroots organizations with budgets under $100,000. · Projects addressing emerging or cutting-edge issues and using new approaches to problem solving; · Organizations or projects which take affirmative steps to assure that their workplaces, programs, and services are accessible to people with disabilities; and · Collaborations and coalitions that emphasize joint strategies and projects.

GRANT FUNDS CANNOT BE USED FOR:

· Social/direct services for individuals; · Funding capital building expenses; · Matching grants; · Organizations whose primary events, work, or programs are held in locations either completely or partially inaccessible to people with disabilities; · Purchase of office equipment unless integral to the project; · Projects which proselytize for any specific religion; · Arts programs that do not include a means for the audience to discuss the social change related issue(s) the work presents, or some other form of action beyond just the exhibit/performance; or · Activities that benefit private interest, business, or profit-making groups.

HOW TO APPLY A grant applicant can submit an electronic version of Three Rivers Community Foundation’s Teens 4 Change Grant Application, along with the required attachments (see page 3). Applications should be emailed to [email protected]. Applications may also be mailed or dropped off in person by 5pm, Friday March 13th, 2015. Questions regarding grant application or submission may be directed to Sydney Olberg, Programs Manager. Email: [email protected]. Phone (612) 886-5268. DEADLINE

Complete applications and materials are due no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, March 13th 2015 at the office of: Three Rivers Community Foundation 100 N. Braddock Ave., Ste. 302 Pittsburgh, PA 15208

REVIEW PROCESS

Each application will be reviewed. Foundation staff and/or the Teens for Change participants may ask to meet with representatives of the applicant organization, most likely during the month of April. Teens for Change recommendations for funding will be brought to the Foundation’s Board of Directors at a meeting for approval. All applicants will be notified by mail of the Teens for Change decisions.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Date of Submission: ______Name of organization: ______Primary contact name: ______Address: ______City/State/Zip: ______Phone number: ______Website: ______E-Mail address: ______

I. PROJECT INFORMATION Project name:

Purpose of grant (one sentence):

Amount requested: $ Total project cost: $

Project period: Start date End date

Geographic service area:

Will the venue for the primary programs and activities in your proposal be completely accessible to people with disabilities? ___ Yes ___ No If no, please explain: ______Focus of the organization's work or purpose of the project. Please choose and prioritize NO MORE than THREE.

____Disability Rights ____LGBTQ Rights ___ Voter Empowerment ____Economic Justice ____Media Justice ___ Women, Youth & Families ____Environmental Justice ____Peace and Human Rights ____Other (please specify below) ____Food Justice ____Racial Justice ______

Signature of Applicant Title

Signature of Advisor (if applicable) Title

Please provide the following information in this order. I. NARRATIVE Not to exceed two typed pages, 12pt. font

A. Summary

Briefly explain your program as a whole, why you decided to pursue this project (including how you identified the particular need which this project will address), what outcomes you hope to achieve.

B. Project Information

1. Please give a description of the project for which you are seeking funding. 2. Does your project work intersectionally? If yes, how? (Teens for Change defines “intersectionality” as working in two or more of our issues areas at one time (e.g. environmental and racial justice, women’s rights and LGBTQ rights, etc.) 3. Describe the target population and explain your method for reaching that population. 4. What will be accomplished? 5. How will this benefit youth in the Southwestern Pennsylvania area? 6. How will youth be involved in the leadership, development, and implementation of the project? 7. What is the timetable for implementation of the project? 8. How do you plan to publicize/promote your project? 9. How will you evaluate the proposed outcomes of your project? 10. How will this project continue, if it needs to be continued, after the grant period expires?

C. Organization Information 1. Principal purposes and services of this organization. Does your organization work intersectionally? If yes,how? 2. Brief history of the organization, along with any major successes. 3. Affiliation, if any, with any other organizations (if none, state “No affiliations”).

D. Financial Information

1. If the total project budget is greater than the amount requested, from what sources will the other necessary funds be obtained, and what funds have been raised to date? 2. What financial resources will be available for the continuation of this project? II. ATTACHMENTS – to be attached to this application

A. Complete Project Budget Form (use attached Project Budget Form and attach to your application.) B. List of organization’s governing body and officers, if applicable C. A copy of IRS tax exemption letter, if applicable D. A copy of the organization’s current operating budget (including income and expenses) E. A copy of a promotional brochure for the organization and/or project, if available

Attachment A. Project Budget Form

Please submit a description of your project budget for board review. The purpose of submitting a budget is to help the board members of Teens for Change see exactly where the requested money will be going to help your project or organization. This plays an important role in our decision making process, so be sure to include descriptions and address the following questions:

A. Organizational fiscal year (the year in which you plan to use these funds): ______B. Time period this budget will cover: ______C. Budget Layout: Below is an example listing of standard budget items. Please submit the budget for your project in this format. Add whatever expenses you have if they are not listed below and please provide a description for each of the budget categories

Expenses Amount Requested from Teens Total Project for Change Expenses Equipment (Microphone, AV system, $100 $100 and projector) Travel (Bus rental) $150 $200 Supplies (Paper for handouts and $25 $75 brochures) Printing and Copying (For the handouts $75 $75 and brochures) Salaries (Requested payment for guest $200 $300 speaker) TOTAL EXPENSES $550 $750

Note: The amount you request from Teens for Change is at your own discretion. You may ask for the entire expense cost of the project or for a portion of it—whatever is necessary for the success of your project.

D. Revenue

In this section please list any other organizations or individuals from which you are receiving or requesting money, in addition to Teens for Change. See example below. Revenue Pending (Requested) Committed (Received) Grant from Mayor’s Office $200 N/A Donation from Little Rock HS Student Council $200 $200