NM Children's Foundation Grant guidelines for 2010-2011

Who We Are
The New Mexico Children’s Foundation is a grant-making body with the mission of supporting programs and projects that serve the physical, mental, educational and social needs of children and their families. We provide donors with the opportunity to support the total needs of children. The Foundation strives to provide services all over the state of New Mexico giving its attention to the current and changing needs of children.

Our Vision
In 1992, New Mexico’s former First Lady, Alice King’s unfailing resolve to support and nurture the children of her state resulted in the creation of the New Mexico Children’s Foundation. Sharing her vision, citizens of New Mexico communities met to form an organization that would provide an appropriate vehicle for people across the state who want to help children reach their full potential.

The founders of NMCF envisioned a grant-making body that would fund children’s programs and projects. Today, a group of dedicated individuals are continuing the vision. By raising funds and distributing them wisely, a brighter future for many New Mexican children is being realized through the Foundation, the state’s only private grant-making group devoted exclusively to young people.

Who Can Apply
The Foundation’s charitable funds are available to 501(c)(3) nonprofit New Mexican children’s organizations with budgets under $300,000.
Other requirements are:
1. Funds requested must not exceed $5,000.
2. Funding can be for only three successive years.
3. Funds for Operating Expenses are considered.

How to Apply
All children’s organizations interested in applying for an NMCF grant must submit a proposal which includes:

1. A Proposal Summary Sheet which includes:
a. Organization Name
b. Address, City, Zip
c. Phone/ Fax:
d. Name of Contact Person and Title
e. Email Address of Contact Person
f. If you have received prior funding from NMCF, list years and amounts.
g. Amount Requested
h. Project Title
i. Geographic Area to be Served
j. Number of Children Affected
k. Project Period

2. A Proposal Narrative, no longer than 2 pages, which includes:
a. Description of the project’s goals and scope (proposed activities)
b. Statement of need for the project
c. Description of how the project includes collaboration with at least one other organization
d. Starting and ending date
e. Number and characteristics of the children to be served
f. Expected results

3. Other information to include:
a. Line item budget and budget justification for the requested funds
b. Plans for evaluating the success of the project (1 page)
c. Plans for continuation of the project after the grant (1 page)

4. Supporting Documents
a. Proof of 501(c)(3) tax status
b. List of current Board of Directors, indicating officers and professional, business or community affiliations
c. Copy of organization’s most recent Form 990 IRS Report

5. Please mail by April 10, 2010:
a. An original and 8 copies of your grant proposal, including supporting documents and summary sheet
b. Do not include any additional materials such as newspaper articles, photographs or videos
c. Failure to include the requested information and the proper number of copies will lead to disqualification of the proposal.
d. Mail to New Mexico Children’s Foundation, P O Box 8182, Santa Fe, NM 87504-8182 Our offices have moved and all mail is received at the Post Office.

6. Deadline: Applications must be postmarked by April 10, 2010.

7. Please email any questions to: [email protected] or call 505-986-2043.

8. Proposals will be judged by the following criteria:
a. is the project child centered,
b. is the project needed in the community or does it duplicate existing services,
c. will this grant lead to other funds,
d. is the project innovative,
e. does the project show proper evidence of collaboration,
f. how many children will the project affect
g. does it appear that the organization has the capability to carry out the project

2010-2011 Grant Schedule
1. Proposals must be postmarked by April 10, 2010.
2. The Grants Committee of the Foundation will meet to review the proposals in early May and make recommendations to the Board of Directors at its June Board Meeting.
3. Grants are approved for one year.
4. One-half of the granted funds will be disbursed with the signed Grant Agreement in July.* The remaining monies will be disbursed upon the receipt of a mid-year progress report which is due December 30, 2010. Failure to submit the mid-year report may lead to termination of the grant.
*Organizations whose programs take place only in the summer will receive their full grant on July 1st. A final report will be due at the conclusion of their summer program.

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