Emerging Philanthropist Program Grant Guidelines

2022 Application Available Open Now; Deadline August 1, 2022

The Emerging Philanthropist Program (EPP) provides opportunities for emerging leaders in the Harrisburg community to become actively engaged with the power of philanthropy.

The Emerging Philanthropist Program seeks to engage Harrisburg’s emerging business and community leaders with the great possibilities that lie within philanthropic endeavors in Harrisburg. The program helps emerging philanthropists answer such questions as: What does it mean to be philanthropic?; How do I understand the needs of our community?; and What can I do to make an impact?  Additionally, The Emerging Philanthropist Program provides resources and educational opportunities for Harrisburg’s developing leaders who wish to be actively engaged in giving back to their community.  In Spring/Summer of each year, the EPP program will announce the funding priority to be used to guide its grantmaking.

Click here for more information on the Emerging Philanthropist Program.

Funding Priorities

In 2022, the EPP program seeks grant proposals from nonprofit organizations providing mental health support programs and services, with a preference for those providing direct mental health services for those who are 18 years old and younger, in Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties. Please note that select applicants will be asked to complete an interview and/or a site visit with participants of the EPP program as part of the grant review process. 

Grant Eligibility

• The Emerging Philanthropist Program funding is available to nonprofit organizations serving Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry Counties. 
• Applicants without 501(c)(3) status may engage a fiscal sponsor to administer their grant funds. If using a fiscal sponsor, you must follow the additional “Fiscal Sponsor” instructions below. 

Size of Grants

One (1) $5,000 grant will be awarded to the chosen organization. Grants are awarded for one year. This grant opportunity will not fund 100% of any project.

Grant Timeline

• Application Available: May 18, 2022
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022. All application materials must be submitted through the online application system by 4:00 pm.
• Applicants will be notified of their status in Fall 2022.
• Proposed projects may take place at any time during the grant year beginning January 1, 2023, and ending December 31, 2023.

What We Do Not Fund

• Advertising*
• Capital campaigns
• Direct lobbying to influence legislation or funding appropriations
• Individuals
• National and statewide umbrella organizations that cannot demonstrate a local presence
• New staff positions without a substantial plan for sustainability
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Retroactive projects

*Grant proposals that include these should describe the scope, purpose and guidelines.  

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Follow Three Simple Steps to Apply

1. ACCESS, download and/or print the Emerging Philanthropist Program Grant Application here: Emerging Philanthropist Program Grant Application
2. LOGIN into the TFEC online application system and begin or update your online profile here:

•  Click here to BEGIN your online profile for the Emerging Philanthropist Program Grant Application – Applicants who have never used TFEC’s online application system must create an account login when using the online application system for the first time.
•  Click here to UPDATE your online profile and return to a saved application

3. UPLOAD all required materials to the Attachments Tab within the online application system and select submit before 4 pm on the application deadline. This grant opportunity requires attachments. See the Grant Application for full instructions.  All required materials will be uploaded within the Attachments Tab; materials should not be mailed or delivered.

Helpful Hints: Using the Online Application System

• To begin, you will enter the applicant organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Federal Tax Identification Number.  You will not be able to create an Organization Profile without it.
• You may Save and Finish Later at any time.
• Some information provided in the online application system is identical to information provided in the grant application; be sure that these answers correspond.
• The grant application and all attachments, including letters of support if applicable, are to be uploaded and submitted using the online application system.
• Save a copy of all materials for yourself prior to selecting Submit.
• Submit all materials prior to the deadline; the online application system will automatically close after 4 pm.
• TFEC staff cannot access or view your Draft Materials.

Notes to Remember

• Only projects taking place during the stated grant year will be considered for this round of funding.
• Applicants with current grant awards from TFEC who are delinquent or non-compliant in grant reporting requirements may have subsequent grant applications denied.

Applicants using a Fiscal Sponsor for this application must also follow the directions below

ACCESSING THE APPLICATION

• Because your Fiscal Sponsor is the organization who has 501c3 status, you will need to enter the Fiscal Sponsor Organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN), also known as the Federal Tax Identification Number, when beginning your work in the online application system.

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION

• Within the “Application Information” tab of the online application system, you will see a “Fiscal Sponsor” Heading. Within this section, the Organization Name and Contact Information should be for the Organization and Executive Leader of the organization serving as your Fiscal Sponsor.
• Because your Fiscal Sponsor is the organization who is registered with the Commonwealth, answer all questions about the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations using your Fiscal Sponsor’s information.
• For all other elements of the “Organization Contact Information” and “Application Information” tabs, the name of your organization/project is the Applicant Organization and all other questions should be answered using your organization/project information rather than your Fiscal Sponsor.

ATTACHMENTS

• Your application must include a letter signed (digital or original) by the Executive Leader of the organization who is serving as your Fiscal Sponsor stating their agreement to do so. This letter will be uploaded with your application attachments.
• Upload the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter of your Fiscal Sponsor.
• Upload the Board of Directors List for your Fiscal Sponsor AND if your organization/project has its own Leadership Team list, please also upload.
• Upload the most recent 990 of your Fiscal Sponsor. If your organization/project has a separate budget or financial statement that would assist the grantmaking committee in their review of an application, please also upload.

NOTIFICATION

• The organization serving as your Fiscal Sponsor will receive notification of whether or not a grant has been awarded. If a grant is awarded the Fiscal Sponsor will be required to execute the Grant Agreement and will be sent the grant funds to be allocated to your organization appropriately. Your Fiscal Sponsor will be responsible for ensuring the funds are used as indicated in the original proposal and/or grant agreement.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

All applicants are invited to contact our Community Investment Team, to discuss a proposed project or application.

Applicants may request a draft review of their application materials by our Community Investment Team prior to submission. To submit a draft review, email all materials to be reviewed as an attachment to grants@tfec.org.  Draft review requests are limited to one review of each grant opportunity and submissions must be received at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.