Impact Grant Guidelines

 
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IMPACT Diablo Valley’s funding cycle runs from December of each year through the following November.  The application period opens end of May (so applicants know the IMPACT grant amount that they are applying for) and in depth applications are due THURSDAY, JULY 20th.   After applications are submitted, they are reviewed by a committee and a select number of nonprofits will complete site visits performed from the end of August through the beginning of October. The IMPACT Grant is awarded during the November annual meeting.  Grant Finalists are asked to present at the November meeting and members will vote to elect the IMPACT Grant winner.  

There will be ONE IMPACT grant winner. The runner up organizations will also be awarded smaller grants to continue the important work they are doing in our local community.

eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the IMPACT Grant must meet the following criteria to be nominated for a grant from Impact Diablo Valley:

  1. Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

  2. Be in operation for at least 36 months prior to applying for the Impact Grant.

  3. Provide services in the geographic area and benefitting the residents of Contra Costa County.

  4. Expend 100% of funds awarded by IMPACT Diablo Valley as described in the grant application.

  5. Funds must be used within a 24-month period. The organization has up to 3 years to demonstrate the impact of the grant. The monies will be distributed based on the project/program needs with the organization determining the appropriate disbursal intervals.

  6. A project/program will be considered if it serves a diverse population without regard to religion or require faith-based activity, but can be under the auspices of a religious organization or physically housed in a religious organization.

Grant Funds Support:

  • The expansion of an existing project/program

  • Launching a new program

  • Technology, both software and hardware, if it is integral to the proposed project or program.

  • Grant can be used for capital purchase** but only if it’s designated for a specific measurable project/program under consideration for the Impact Grant.

  • Funds may be designated for general operating expenses and overhead specific to the project being funded.

**A capital expenditure is for as an asset that the owner intends to hold and derive benefit from for a period of one year or more, and that the owner depreciates or amortizes over the assets expected life.

Grant Funds May Not Be Used in These Ways:

  • Debt reduction or operational deficits

  • Grants to individuals

  • Private foundations

  • Endowment funding

  • Interim or bridge funding

  • Partisan, legislative, or political activity

  • Fees paid to a grant writer or for fundraising activities

  • Projects of religious organizations or bodies of worship

  • Annual appeals or fundraising drives, activities, or events

  • General capital campaigns unrelated to a specific project

Guidelines for Impact Grant:

  1. Applicant must select only one focus area in which to be considered. Focus areas are   1) arts & culture, 2) environment, 3) health, education and human services

  2. Final proposal should include a time-bound budget with measurable goals.

  3. Grant recipient must submit periodic progress reports and work with IMPACT Diablo Valley chairs for the duration of the grant period.

  4. Proposal must demonstrate ability to be sustainable beyond the grant funding cycle.

  5. Organizations awarded IMPACT Grant may not apply for the IMPACT Grant for the following 3 years.

  6. An organization may submit only one application each year.

  7. Incomplete applications or missed deadlines will disqualify the application.

  8. IMPACT Diablo Valley reserves the right to change eligibility criteria at any time without notice.