VCF Grant Seekers Forum - Check out the Q & A

1. 

   jpeterson
   Member

   Hi Joel,

   Our experience is that organizations are all over the spectrum when it comes to outcomes and evaluation and we try to work with that. What we need to understand and have confidence in is your strategic thinking about what you are trying to accomplish, how you will do that, and how you will know you are successful. So tell us about how YOU know at the end of the day that you are meeting your mission. What gives you and your board the feedback and confidence that you're on the right track. You may reach x amount of people but there's an "and?.." after that. We want to know what difference that makes.

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   Joanne Fitzgerald
   Member

   Thank you Jen.
   Joanne Fitzgerald

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   jpeterson
   Member

   Your welcome Joanne!

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   chapin@localmotion.org
   Member

   Hello Jen,

   Local Motion is preparing to finish up our two-year "2010 Campaign for the Future" -- our internal organizational development initiative to prepare us for future growth. We will be looking for funding to complete this effort. We received a $5K VCF grant in the Fall 2009 round for the project. Will VCF be willing to entertain a second grant for the same two-year initiative? We will, of course, have our final report submitted for the first grant.

   Appreciatively yours,
   ~ Chapin

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   Susan Beal
   Member

   Thank you, Jen. I have another question: it's hard to come by official data to support the needs our group is trying to address, i.e. Bennington being underserved, a high poverty rate, no other groups addressing the food system as a whole, etc. How do I support these claims in my narrative? -

   Best,
   Susan

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   jpeterson
   Member

   Hi Chapin,

   VCF would be happy to entertain an application for general operating support from Local Motion in this grant round. If awarded a grant, the funds are unrestricted and you are welcome to use the funds as you see fit including for your campaign. Do be sure to talk about this work in the section on program goals for the next year.

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. 

   jpeterson
   Member

   Hi Susan,

   First I would say you should identify what information you used to determine the need for your organization. Then some resources to check out for other supporting data might be the Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger, Farm to Plate and VSJF, Bennington County Meals on Wheels, and Bennington Interfaith Council.

   Posted 1 year ago #
8. 

   chapin@localmotion.org
   Member

   Thank you Jen and the VCF crew.

   Posted 1 year ago #
9. 

   legcom
   Member

   Thank you Jen.

   Posted 1 year ago #
10. 

    jpeterson
    Member

    You are welcome!

    Posted 1 year ago #
11. 

    Susan Beal
    Member

    Hi, Jen. In fact, Ellen Kahler is helping me out and Meals on Wheels and the Interfaith Council are our partners and helping with this application. They're the ones who told me hard data is hard to come by. Most of the info we're using is just what we know from living and working in the area. But I'll see what more data I can find. The Campaign to End Childhood Hunger is a great idea. Thanks for making this process so approachable and friendly.

    Posted 1 year ago #
12. 

    jpeterson
    Member

    Susan,

    Great to hear you are connected with all those folks! Hopefully VCECH will have some additional data. If not local, state data would be relevant and the next best thing.

    Posted 1 year ago #
13. 

    legcom
    Member

    Jen:
    Can we send more than two (short) letters of support--say one in one attachment, and two in the second attachment?

    Joel Legunn
    The PuppeTree

    Posted 1 year ago #
14. 

    jpeterson
    Member

    Joel,

    You can submit more than two letters of support.

    Posted 1 year ago #
15. 

    jpeterson
    Member

    Time's up again. Hopefully this was helpful and that everyone got their questions answered.

    Good luck with your applications!

    Jen

    Posted 1 year ago #

Reply

Get answers and input from nonprofit community leaders. To get started, login or register.