How to Submit a Grant Proposal

Contact our staff. Every applicant is required to contact our program officer before submitting an application. We will review your proposed project or program with you to make sure it is eligible for funding, will answer any questions you have and will provide the required "application number" you will need to complete the application.
Create your application by following the directions below. Follow the directions carefully, answering ALL of the questions. Be clear and concise in your responses. Use the headings provided, and use 12-point, single-spaced text.
Put the application together. Do not staple individual sections of your application, and please do not bind the application or put it in folders or report covers. Use a clip or one staple to keep each application together. Provide us with ONE ORIGINAL and TWO COPIES of each of the following (in this order):

Grant Application Cover Sheet
Program Narrative
Organization Background
Personnel
Project Budget
Additional Narrative (if needed)
Additional Attachments (only those described)
- List of governing board including addresses and affiliations
- Current operating budget for your organization
- Most recent year-to-date financial statement
- Policy concerning nondiscrimination
- Letters of support as required only

Also provide ONE copy:

Most recent audit or IRS Form 990

4. Mail or drop off the application and copies to:

Midland Area Community Foundation
76 Ashman Circle
Midland, MI 48640

Application Format

Cover Sheet (One page) with heading "Grant Application"

Legal Name of Organization Applying (identical to name on the IRS Tax Determination Letter)
Common Organization Name (if different from above)
Employment Identification Number (Schools – see ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT E, Governmental units – see ADDITIONAL ATTACHMENT F)
Directory Information (address, city, state, zip, telephone, fax, e-mail address of organization)
Contact Person for the Request (Name and Phone Number)
Chief Executive Officer of Organization (Name and Official Title)
Dollar Amount Requested
Total Project Cost
Project Title
Project Dates
From which fund are you requesting your grant: (indicate one) Unrestricted Endowment Fund, Gladwin County Endowment Fund, Healthy Youth/Healthy Seniors Endowment Fund, Kellogg Youth Fund (the Foundation staff may direct your request to another fund if it would be more beneficial to your project)
If you are submitting an application through the Community Priorities Initiative, indicate which category you are addressing (Economic Impact, Youth, and/or Leadership)
Project Summary (a brief statement, 75 words or less, describing your project)

Program Narrative (Four pages or less)

Statement of Purpose: What is the purpose of your project and what issues does it address? Document the need for your project. Is this a new or ongoing project for your organization? For the community? Are there similar programs in the community? How is yours different?
Project Impact. Describe the expected impact of your project. Who will benefit? Estimate the number of people to be served. Define them demographically (income, race, gender, age, etc.)
Implementation/Timeline. Specify the activities to be undertaken and the timeline for their implementation.
Collaboration. If you are collaborating with other organizations, please indicate which one(s) and describe your collaborative efforts.
Future Plans. Is this, or will this become, an ongoing project? If so, describe how you will support it in the future.
Evaluation. Describe how you will assess and measure the success of your project.

Organization Background (One page or less)

Briefly describe the purpose and history of your organization.
Describe the community or constituency you serve.
Is your organization affiliated with any other organizations? If so, which ones?
What other organizations in Midland/Gladwin Counties provide the same or similar activities? How is your organization different?

Personnel (One page)

Who are the key staff members involved with this project? What are their qualifications?
Will additional staff, consultants or outside resources be required for this project? If so, explain.

Project Budget

On a separate sheet entitled PROJECT BUDGET, provide a comprehensive budget for your project listing all sources of income and detailing all expenses. Make sure that your expenses equal your revenues.
In a separate paragraph, describe how the MACF grant money will be used.
Indicate if any portion of the grant will be sent to a national or other affiliate group.
On a separate sheet entitled FUND REQUESTS COMMITTED/PENDING, indicate what other funds have been received or are under consideration for this project. Indicate the source, amount and either the date funds were committed or the date a response is expected if a commitment has not yet been received.

Additional Narrative (One page)

If you are applying for funding from the Community Priorities Initiative within the Unrestricted Endowment Fund, the Healthy Youth/Healthy Seniors Endowment Fund, or the Kellogg Youth Fund, and you wish to address specific criteria for those funds as described, this is the place to do so.

Additional Attachments

List of governing board including addresses (cities) and affiliations
Current operating budget for your organization
Most recent year-to-date financial statement
Policy concerning nondiscrimination
If your organization is a school or school district, have your Superintendent of Schools submit a letter of support for your project. Also include a copy of any grant procedures documents required by your school
If your organization is a governmental unit, have your Mayor, Chairperson or highest ranking paid official submit a letter of support for your project
(ONE) Most recent audit or IRS Form 990

Printer-Friendly Complete Grants Packet

To access a printable packet of all Grant Guidelines/Deadlines Information, please click on the following link:

Printer Friendly Grant Proposal Guidelines

Last updated on November 17, 2009 12:18pm.