The NWSEF provides grants for youth serving organization's programs/projects that improve the lives, health and fitness of youth through winter sports. The NWSEF will assist organizations in developing the programs and will provide, were necessary, leadership and guidance using best practices. Funding is not unlimited and is based on the assumption that the program/project will be sustainable both programmatic and financially after five years. The requesting Organization must be a 501 (c)3 or have a 501 (c)3 fiscal funding conduit. Our maximum funding is (Year 1: 4x1, Year 2: 2x1, Year 3: 1x1, Year 4: 5x1, Year 5: Self Sustaining).
NWSEF Grant Application Narrative Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS:
The full Application is due on a rolling annual basis, however, most grants submitted during the winter season may not be approved until the subsequent season/year.
Your full Application Narrative must be formatted in black type, 12-point Arial font, 1.5 line spacing, and 1” margins. The entire narrative (excluding references and planned activities chart) should be no more than 10 pages.
Cover Letter - A cover letter signed by the CEO stating that the request has been approved by the organization's Board of Directors. A short summary of the organization and the project.
In fairness to all potential applicants, Narratives that exceed the 10-page limit or that do not conform to the formatting instructions above will not be reviewed.
Organize your narrative in the specified order and using the instructions provided below. Start each section with the appropriate section heading in bold type.
NARRATIVE:
Name of Organization - Only organizations with a valid 501 (c)3 designation or with a valid 501 (c)3 fiscal funding conduit will be accepted
Board of Directors - Full name and position(s)
Form 990 and Organization's Financials- Last two years attached
Other organizations served - List of all other organizations if any (Schools, other programs, etc.).
Community/Organizational Setting and Need
Describe the community/Organization/population that will be targeted by the project, including the need for this project and which members of the community will be targeted by this project. (Projects that target underserved or high-risk populations are particularly encouraged.)
Project Description
Describe the project. Describe the multiple components/levels within the community that the project targets. Reference the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the proposed project components. Include the total number of participants.
Project Director - Name, background and qualifications
Goals and Objectives
Define the project’s specific goals and objectives.
Logic Model
Detail the activities, outputs, and outcomes of the proposed project using a logic model.
Key Relationships - Partners, collaborative entities and organizations.
Evaluation Plan
Describe the measures and related data/information sources that will be used to evaluate progress towards achieving project goals and objectives. Indicators should measure both the program’s implementation (process indicators) as well as program success (outcome indicators). Include the participants ages, grade level and skill level.
Project Team
Describe the organization’s experience working within the community. Describe the qualifications, experience and time commitment of the key project staff for conducting the proposed project, including related past experience working with the similar projects and with similar populations. Describe the specific role of each team member and or coach. Describe the key partnering organization(s) and their role(s). Describe how the project will be managed. Describe the composition and management of the evaluation work group.
Sustainability Plan
Describe how the positive changes promoted by the project will be sustained beyond the funding period. All Projects must be sustainable to qualify for a grant.
Limitations
Describe any potential difficulties and/or challenges that your project may encounter, along with approaches that you will use to address them.
References
(This does not count in the narrative page limit.) List all references. References should be limited to those relevant to the proposed project.
Planned Activities
(This does not count in the narrative page limit.)
Budget
(see below)
Final Report
A final report is required within thirty days of completion of the project. It must include a final budget as described below. It must include a detailed analysis of; whether the project met its goals and objectives, whether the proposed logic model was effective, measurement of both the program’s implementation (process indicators) as well as program success (outcome indicators). An evaluation of the project team. Include the participants ages, grade level and skill level at the start and end of the project. Participant retention. The conclusion should state whether or not the program is programmatic and financially sustainable.
NWSEF Grant Application Budget Instructions
Instructions:
The full Application is due by 5:00 PM MT, December 31
The following instructions refer to completing the detailed Budget Justification.
- Personnel: Include positions that provide technical and professional support of the project planning and implementation.
- Project administrative personnel: Include positions that provide direct administrative support for project activities.
- Fringe Benefits: All federal, state and local taxes as well as health insurance and other benefits provided to the project staff considered in the Personnel category.
- Equipment: Any equipment purchased by the applicant organization for use in the project.
- Materials and Supplies: Materials and supplies are tangible personal property (other than equipment) directly used for the project. This category includes items such as office supplies, software, field supplies, etc.
- Travel: Travel by project staff and constituent groups related to project implementation and project promotion.
- Communications/Marketing: Funds to increase awareness and to promote the project and/or components. This category may include costs for printing brochures, public service announcements, non-personnel website costs, etc.
- Data Collection/Processing: Costs associated with any data collection related to evaluation. This may include items such as temporary help (interviewers, data entry clerks, etc.), design and development of survey instruments, mailing of questionnaires, expenses related to telephone surveys, etc.
- All Other Direct Costs: Costs that do not fall into any of the other categories but that are directly related to project promotion or implementation. This may include personnel costs from partner organizations.
- Other Sources of Income: Organization contributions, participant fees, grants, other sources.