ST. MICHAEL’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

COMMUNITY OUTREACH GRANTS COMMITTEE

GRANT PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

Program Description

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church has a long history of helping people in need in Bristol, RI and the East Bay community. The Community Outreach Grants Committee (COGC) administers the church grant proposal process and makes funding recommendations to the church Vestry. The Vestry determines the number and amount of the grants that will be awarded each year. St. Michael’s expects to issue three grants of $3,000.00 each in the coming year. In addition to awarding grants, the church provides direct service volunteers to area non-profit organizations and charities.

Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible for a St. Michael’s Community Outreach Grant, an applicant must:

1. Provide services for disadvantaged populations in Bristol, the East Bay Area or Providence.
2. Have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the Internal Revenue Service at the time of application.
3. Outline a program that targets a specific population with specific measurable goals to be achieved.
4. Use grant funds for a specific program or project. Funds may be used for salaries, supplies, and associated program expenses.
5. Meet all grant submission requirements and deadlines.
6. Commit to expend funds within 12 months of receipt. 
7. One year after receipt of funding, submit a report to COGC on the results of the program.

Evaluation Criteria

When evaluating proposals, the COGC will consider these issues:

1. Organization has an established track record of sound program management and fiscal responsibility.
2. Organization and program respond in a substantive way to a serious community need.
3. Organization and program will bring about tangible and material changes in people’s lives.
4. Proposed program is clearly defined in the proposal and targets a specific focus area and a specific population, and has specific measurable goals to be achieved.

St. Michael’s will not award grants for individuals; capital campaigns; schools, scholarships, sporting events, parent teacher organizations, or alumni groups; fraternities, sororities, or political groups; or multi-year requests.

Note: Grant guidelines continually evolve, and the St. Michael’s reserves the right to change the evaluation criteria without prior notice at any time.

GRANT PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS

Grant Proposal and Review Process Timeline 

First Monday in December Proposal Form and Instructions posted on St. Michael’s website

End of January Proposals due electronically to Outreach@stmichaelsbristolri.org by 5:00 p.m.

February Site visits conducted

March Awards issued

Note: As proposals are declined during the review process, organizations will be notified in writing.

Note: During site visits, the COGC would like to meet with the executive director and the program manager.

Elements of Grant Proposal

1. Cover letter submitted electronically, in .doc or PDF format
2. Grant Proposal Form submitted electronically, in .doc or PDF format. Maximum length is five pages.
3. Additional required documents (one copy, either electronic or paper):
   1. List of Board of Directors or governing body
   2. Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) nonprofit status letter
   3. Most recent IRS Form 990
   4. Most recent Statement of Activities (Income Statement)
   5. Most recent Statement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet)
   6. Most recent financial audit (including auditor’s report and notes to financial statements)
   7. Annual Report (if organization has one)
4. Optional documents (one copy, either electronic or paper):
   1. Organization brochures or printed materials
   2. Program brochures or printed materials

Grant Proposal Submission Instructions:

1. The cover letter and Grant Proposal Form should be sent electronically and must be received no later than the last business day in January. Send documents to Outreach@stmichaelsbristolri.org
2. All submissions must use the Grant Proposal Form. The maximum length of a proposal is five pages.
3. Provide only one copy of additional required documents or optional documents. Documents may be submitted electronically to Outreach@stmichaelsbristolri.org or delivered to:

Community Outreach Grants Committee

c/o Canon Michael J. Horvath

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church

399 Hope Street

Bristol, RI 02809

4. Only one proposal may be submitted by an organization each year.

Note: An organization may apply for and receive a St. Michael’s grant in each of three consecutive years, and then must wait at least one year before applying for funding again.

Questions about St. Michael’s grant process should be directed to Canon Michael Horvath at Outreach@stmichaelsbristolri.org with the subject line “St. Michael’s Community Outreach Grants”.