Imperial Valley Shades for Success Grant Program
Funding for this program was made possible by a gift from the BHE Renewables Foundation to the Imperial Valley Community Foundation. We are grateful for their generous support of this important and special opportunity.
Purpose
The Imperial Valley Community Foundation (the “Foundation”) is requesting proposals for the "Imperial Valley Shades for Success" Grant Program that:
a) Enhance community spaces by helping with the purchase and installation of shade structures that enhance and create opportunities for education, recreation, and community activities throughout the Imperial Valley.
Objective
Grants from this RFP will enhance community spaces, and enhance and create opportunities for education, recreation throughout the Imperial Valley through the Shades for Success program.
- Applicants must demonstrate that they understand their project cost and timeline.
- Applicants will be required to submit a status update 60 days after receiving their award, and a final report within 30 days of the completion of their project.
- Projects need to be executed within 6 months from the date of award.
- Include/request budget/quote that substantiates the request. Applicants need to demonstrate real costs/prepared estimates associated with the project request.
- The grant application deadline is 7:59pm (Pacific) on Friday, January 31, 2025.
Funding Priorities
This program is for projects within Imperial County.
Municipalities and organizations traditionally known as the “Northend” (Bombay Beach, Calipatria, Niland, Salton Communities, and Westmorland) are encouraged to apply.
Project sites with limited access to shade will be strongly considered.
Desirable Project Characteristics
We are receptive to impactful projects that:
a. Demonstrate relevance and ensure that the project is realistic, timely, and achievable.
b. Serve and benefit under-resourced communities and will improve the conditions and opportunities for those communities and their residents.
c. Exhibit a willingness and effort to collaborate with others to accomplish their work.
d. Meet expressed and identified community needs and have the potential to be scaled up and/or maintained.
Total Awards
$75,000 is available for this program. The maximum total award to a single grantee is $25,000. The maximum of any single grant award will not exceed $25,000.
Applicants may only submit one proposal. Please check with your partners, colleagues, and associates to ensure that your organization avoids this potentially disqualifying conflict in addition to the extra effort and resource spent preparing any additional proposal(s).
Applications should include information on other sources of funding which have been secured and/or requested to support the proposed project.
Successful applicants will have six (6) months from the date of receiving their grant award to complete their project. Multi-year commitments will not be considered.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include qualified 501c3 organizations and public institutions or other entities (such as cities, municipal agencies, public parks, schools, school districts, etc.) that have a designated charitable purpose.
Applicants must be Imperial Valley-serving organizations. Organizations headquartered outside of Imperial County must demonstrate significant service to the area.
Organizations with religious affiliations will be considered for funding only if the project for which they seek support attempts to address the needs of the wider community without regard to religious beliefs.
Entities that have a charitable with a designated charitable purpose must have a 501c3 fiscal sponsor. A copy of the fiscal sponsor MOU must be included with the application.
Unincorporated communities must have and submit a letter of sponsorship from the County of Imperial.
Exclusions
Guided by our core values and bylaw, grants will not be awarded for:
a. Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, or religion.
b. Fraternal organizations, unless in support of a specific program open to or benefiting the entire community relevant to this grant.
c. Fundraising events such as annual campaigns, walkathons, tournaments, fashion shows, auctions or dinners, etc.
d. Paying off debts of existing obligations.
e. Endowment funds.
f. Scholarships, fellowships, or travel grants.
Evaluation Criteria
Grant proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis using the following criteria:
a. Clarity of project description, project activities, and steps to be taken to achieve desired outcomes.
b. Achievable timeline that corresponds to the key activities.
c. Meaningful benchmarks and indicators of success.
d. Innovative and effective strategy with potential for systems change and adds value to the community and RFP-field.
e. Organizational capacity to implement the project – including staffing and leadership, and operational and fiscal management.
f. Established track record in specific program area or potential to achieve needed content expertise.
Selection Process
All proposals will be reviewed by the Foundation staff for completeness. After initial review, proposals will be reviewed by the Foundation’s grants committee for their evaluation and recommendations. Grant recommendations will be shared with the IVCF Board of Directors for their final consideration and approval.
Applicants may receive a site visit, phone call and/or other type of communication from the Foundation as part of the proposal review process.
The application period for the grant program is November 27, 2024, through January 31, 2025. The grant application deadline is 7:59pm (Pacific) on January 31, 2025.
Follow-Up & Reporting Requirements
Successful grantees will be required to meet the Foundation’s requirements for an interim financial and narrative report and a final report due within thirty days of the completion of the grant, as well as a presentation to the Foundation if requested. Copies of press releases and/or media contacts resulting from the grant award should also be included with any narrative reports submitted to IVCF.
Grant awards will be divided into a minimum of two installments. This is not a reimbursement program.
All grantees will be expected to exercise expenditure responsibility and to provide receipts and actual costs related to project expenses.
Grantees who do not adhere to grant terms, guidelines, and deadlines will forfeit any grant monies not yet distributed to grantee. Grantees who are unable to meet the grant requirements and whose project(s) do not happen will be asked to return unused grant funds, at minimum.
Additional Information
Successful grantees of this grant program accept all liabilities and responsibilities regarding the administration, implementation, and execution of their project. Additionally, by applying for and accepting the grant, grantees agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Imperial Valley Community Foundation and other grant donors for all claims associated with the project, including but not limited to during and after its construction and/or development.
Grantees are required to obtain all necessary, proper, and required permits for their project. Grantees must use licensed, insured, and bonded professionals as is necessary, appropriate, and required.
For questions, please contact Bobby Brock at (760) 336-0055 or email bobby@ivcommunityfoundation.org.
Responses to common questions will be developed based on those received by the Foundation and made available on the Foundation’s website: www.ivcommunityfoundation.org.
Thank you for your interest in responding to this RFP and for making the Imperial Valley a better place to live. We look forward to reviewing your proposal.
