In 2011 Valspar Corporation will once again be offering nonprofits and communities a chance to apply for free paint and coatings through its “Minnesota Beautiful” partnership with the Initiative Foundation.
Representatives from the Initiative Foundation and Valspar will select 8-10 restoration or beautification projects to receive paint and coatings based on their visual impact, public benefit, volunteer participation and support, intended use and benefit to the needy.
Projects that may qualify for a grant include historic buildings, community centers, public buildings, facilities for seniors or people with disabilities, murals or other visual impact projects. Ineligible projects include denominational churches, city maintenance, schools (except murals) and privately owned buildings. Projects must take place in one or more of the counties in the Foundation's service area.
Just wanted to share some new changes with our 2011 grant review process...
As of January 1, 2011, the Initiative Foundation will be reviewing grant inquiries - for our Innovation Fund - on a quarterly basis.
We have decided to adopt this process due to an increased number of funding requests and our desire to be more transparent and strategic. Our Grant Team will be able to compare applications, ensuring that we fund the most promising and well-planned projects that serve critical needs in central Minnesota.
In 2011, the foundation will award over $1 million in grants, $150,000 of which will be awarded through our Innovation Fund and the remainder through restricted grants that require participation in one of our leadership programs. Through the discretionary Innovation Fund, the average grant size will be $5,000 and projects must address at least one of five different criteria.
Instead of reviewing Innovation Fund inquiries and proposals on an ongoing basis, now we will be reviewing and awarding grants only four times throughout the year. More information about the the schedule and process can also be found on our website at www.ifound.org.
If you have questions or concerns, please contact Don Hickman, Senior Program Manager & Grant Team Lead @
877-632-9255, dhickman@ifound.org.
Looking forward to a healthy and prosperous new year!
How can a VISTA member help your organization better fight poverty?- Got an idea for a new program or for improving services but no one with the time to dig in and get the job done?
- Wanna improve your fund development efforts? Generate community “buzz” about your work?
- Need more volunteers? Want them to be better trained?
- Need an enthusiastic someone with a singular focus on helping your agency better deliver on the promise of its mission to alleviate and eliminate poverty?
A VISTA member could be just what your agency needs!
Over the past ten years the Initiative Foundation’s 140+ VISTAs have created new programs, developed outreach tools and helped their host sites manage over 21,000 volunteers who provided over 234,000 hours of community service. Over that time, our VISTAs have helped raise over $1.6 million in grants and contributions and nearly $1.1 million in in-kind resources for their sites.
The Initiative Foundation is currently looking for organizations interested in hosting an AmeriCorps VISTA member for the 2011-2012 service year.
VISTAs are national members who serve full-time for a year in nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, faith-based organizations, tribal and government agencies to build their capacity to conduct anti-poverty work. (Note that eligible nonprofit private organizations are not limited to those with IRS 501(c) (3) status, but rather all organizations with IRS 501(c) status that focus on anti-poverty community development; organizations that focus solely on advocacy and lobbying are not eligible.)
VISTAs help their host sites grow so they can serve more people, in better ways for a longer period of time.
Applications for next year’s host sites are being accepted through February 4th. Selected sites will recruit VISTA members this spring who will begin service in early August.
Wanna learn more? Visit our website or call Chris or Annie at (320) 632-9255.
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