The Foundation will adhere to the following application process:

 

Step One: Project Fits with Program Initiatives

 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Foundation’s grant making priorities and guidelines. If their program is located in the state of Connecticut and fits within one of the program initiatives or issue areas, they may respond to the “call for information”.  Inquiries, requests, and proposals that do not fit with the Foundation’s guidelines will not be considered nor responded to.

 

Step Two: Letter of Inquiry

 

If the prospective applicant meets the criteria described in step one, they are allowed to send the Foundation a letter of Inquiry of not more than three pages. Applicants are asked not to send a full proposal at that time. The letter of inquiry should include the following information:

• A brief description of their organization and its history
• Qualifications of the individuals who will be engaged in the project
• A brief description of the approach to the proposed project’s objectives and their organization’s experience and resources to manage the project tasks and scope of work along with an estimated timeline and budget
• One copy of their IRS Tax Exemption Designation Letter, their most recent 990 form, and a list of their board of directors
• Letters of inquiry and proposals must be submitted by 5:00 pm on the due date

Step Three: Full Proposal

 

Applicants whose letters of inquiry fit within the Foundation’s guidelines will be invited to submit a full proposal. Applicants will be provided with all the necessary information for completing the proposal. The Request For Proposal (RFP) will define the nature, scope, and duration of the project, specific application procedures and evaluation criteria.

 

Step Four: Proposal Review and Funding Decision

 

Applicants will be notified of the Foundation’s decision within three weeks of the board’s decision. Upon approval, the successful applicant(s) will be notified of the time and location of an interview. A site visit may be scheduled. CHNCTF will prepare a grant agreement, specifying the terms and conditions of the grant award, the timeline for completion, payment arrangements, and the reporting and evaluation information required by the Foundation.

 

Prior to receiving a grant, the recipients must agree in writing to the submission of scheduled reports and information for the Foundation’s ongoing program management and outcomes tracking. The proposal review, funding decision, and due diligence may take up to three to six months to complete the entire process.

 

All CHNCTF grant recipients must sign a statement certifying that they do not discriminate in their leadership, staffing, or service on the basis of race, age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, political affiliation, or religious belief.