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2013, Round 1: Application Deadline May 3, 2013
The Whitaker Foundation Regional Program (WFRP) conducts an annual competitive grantmaking program for nonprofit organizations serving the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties. The focus of WFRP is to support programs that have the overarching value of improving math and science proficiency and literacy. We strive to fund projects that will have the greatest impact on the quality of life and positive outcomes for individuals and families living in the tri-county region.
Our Funding Priorities
The WFRP is most interested in proposals that address math and science proficiency, including the following (but not limited to):
• Educational needs of all students and adults (including high-risk: limited English proficient, special education, minority, low-income) in math and science
• Math and science skills for all students and adults (including high-risk: limited English proficient, special education, minority, low-income) seeking careers in math and science based professions such as: health care, (CNA, nursing, and general medical), business and financial services, education, and information technology.
• Culturally and gender sensitive math and science instruction
• Math and science curriculum development
• Assist teachers to learn to teach interactively (i.e. Teach science by doing science).
What We Fund:
The WFRP’s primary strategic grant focus is to support programs and direct service delivery related to math and science proficiency and literacy in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties. An organization may submit a proposal that is a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years; however, organizations receiving multi-year funding must apply on a yearly basis; renewal is not automatic. The WFRP has funded:
• New staff positions with a plan for sustainability
• New and on-going projects
• Facility improvement and related equipment
• Direct program related operating expenses
• Capacity building (strategic planning, board and staff development, technology infrastructure, etc.)
Size of Grants
In 2012, WFRP awarded over $100,000 to nonprofit organizations through its traditional competitive grantmaking program. There is no maximum request per organization; however, approximately $100,000 is available per funding year to be granted. The maximum award in 2012 was $15,000, with an average grant award of $8,000.
What We Do Not Fund:
• Individuals
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Annual fund drives
• Advertising
• Direct lobbying to influence legislation or funding appropriations
• Retroactive projects
• Basic office equipment not related to the project
• National and statewide umbrella organizations
Technical Assistance
Applicants may request review of their draft proposal narrative, budget worksheet, and program logic model by Program Department staff. These requests should be limited to two reviews before finalizing your proposals. Staff will NOT be able to honor technical assistance requests made later than one week prior to the grant submission deadline.
Criteria for Evaluating Proposals
The criteria used by the Grantmaking Committee are collaboration, capacity, creativity, diversity, relevance, sustainability, and results. Click here for a detailed description of the evaluation criteria.
Submitting an Application
The WFRP strives to direct its resources to strategically address systemic community problems and have the greatest impact on the highest critical needs in the region. We are particularly interested in proposals that address new and innovative collaborative approaches. Successful grant proposals will be those that demonstrate achievable outcomes and sustainability.
Prior to submitting an application, applicants are REQUIRED to call Jennifer Kuntch, Program Officer for Community Investment, at 717-236-5040 to have a preliminary discussion about your project. After discussing your project, Jennifer will provide you with a password to access the online application.
Please remember: projects may not start sooner than 12 weeks after the application deadline. Only projects with a start date of 07/26/13 or later will be considered for this round of funding.
**You will be asked for your Tax ID Number and you will not be able to access the application without it. If you will be using a Fiscal Agent for this project, please have that organization's Tax ID Number ready. In addition, if you are using a Fiscal Agent for the project, you will be required to enter additional information regarding the organization who is acting as your Fiscal Agent on the "Application Information" page of the application.
Throughout the course of submitting your Online Application, you will be required to upload the following documents:
• Proposal Narrative*
• Program Logic Model*
• Budget Worksheet*
• Board of Directors List: You must include professional affiliations (i.e. current work position)
• Your most recent audit or financial statement
• IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter
*Templates are available for download for the Proposal Narrative, Program Logic Model, and Budget Worksheet on the Attachments Page of the Online Application. You must use TFEC's templates for all three documents. Failure to use TFEC's templates will cause your application to be incomplete and incorrect and your application will be eliminated from consideration.
In conjunction with submitting your completed application online, please mail or hand deliver the following:
• Checklist & signature Page with original signatures*
• Three letters of support with original signatures*
• If you have indicated Collaboration with other Agencies, include letters with original signatures* documenting the nature of the collaboration.**
*Original Signatures are required. Scanned or copied signatures will not be accepted. Failure to submit original signatures where required will cause your application to be incomplete and incorrect and your application will be eliminated from consideration.
**Letters documenting the nature of Collaboration are required for all projects indicating collaboration with other agencies. You should include one (1) letter from each agency indicated in your Proposal Narrative. Failure to submit letters indicating the nature of collaboration will cause your application to be incomplete and incorrect and your application will be eliminated from consideration.
Materials such as brochures, photos, newspaper articles and the like should not be included with the application materials. Materials should be bound together with a paper clip only and should not be submitted in individual folders or binders of any sort. Please do not submit hard copies of materials that are required to be submitted electronically.
Please note, nonprofit organizations with current grant awards from TFEC who are non-compliant with submission of grant evaluations in a timely manner may have subsequent grant applications denied.
Failure to follow the steps outlined in the Grant Guidelines may cause your application to be rejected.
All application materials (both online and mailed or hand delivered) are due by 4:00pm on the proposal deadline. The online application will no longer be available after 4:00pm on the proposal deadline. All applications MUST be submitted prior to this time.
Materials required to be mailed or hand delivered (checklist & signature page with original signatures; three letters of support with original signatures, and letters of collaboration must be received, not postmarked, by 4:00pm on the proposal deadline. These items should be mailed or hand delivered to:
The Foundation for Enhancing Communities
Attn: Jennifer Kuntch, Program Officer for Community Investment
200 N. 3rd Street, 8th Floor
PO Box 678
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0678
Application materials will not be accepted after 4:00pm on the proposal deadline. If your application is incomplete or incorrect it will be eliminated from consideration.
After you have discussed your project with Jennifer, please click below for the application:
The Whitaker Foundation Regional Math & Science Program Grant Application
You can Save and Finish Later at any time during the application process. But remember, you must submit the finished application prior to the deadline!
If you have already started your application but have not yet submitted it, please click here to log in to your account and resume where you left off.
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here for step by step instructions on how to apply using the new online application system.
Contact Jennifer Kuntch, Program Officer for Community Investment
E-mail: jkuntch@tfec.org
Phone: 717-236-5040 |
