Discretionary Funds Grant Informational Session

ANNISTON COMMUNITY EDUCATION

FOUNDATION

TODAY’S AGENDAWelcome/Introductions• Brief Overview of ACEF• History• Mission and Vision Statements• Types of Funding

• Discretionary Funds Grant• Grant Review Process• Question and Answer Session

WELCOME• The Anniston Community Education Foundation (ACEF) is

dedicated to helping youth in the targeted communities attend and succeed in the educational arena. The belief that “every child can and will learn with the proper educational resources” is echoed throughout the Foundation’s work. Anniston Community Education Foundation facilitates partnerships with key stakeholders to increase academic achievement of youth in the targeted communities.

ACEF BOARD MEMBERS• Ms. Cynthia Calix, President

• Mr. Leon Garrett, Vice President

• Dr. Barbara B. Boyd, Secretary

• Ms. Shirley Carter, Treasurer

• Mr. David Baker

• Carol Kirk

• Ms. Alma Turner

• Mr. Ernest Washington

• Mr. Edward Still, Attorney

HISTORY OF ACEFAnniston Community Education

Foundation evolved as a result of the Partial Consent Decree (Consent Decree) between the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Solutia Inc. (Solutia), and Pharmacia Corporation (Pharmacia) entered by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama on August 4, 2003. ACEF is to be funded by Solutia for 12 years.

HISTORY OF ACEFACEF has awarded…

Over half a million dollars since 2005!

MISSION

• The mission of the Anniston Community Education Foundation is to BUILD a collaborative network of diverse stakeholders to IMPROVE the quality of education in our targeted communities.

VISION

•Our vision is empowering the youth in the designated area with need-based Educational Resources.

TYPES OF FUNDING

ACEF offers 4 types of funding:•Discretionary Funds Grant•Small Grant (1Year Grant)•Program Grant (2Year Grant)•Scholarships

DISCRETIONARY FUNDS GRANT• Amount Awarded: Up to $2K• 7 Grants Awarded Yearly• Length of Grant: Event/project specific• Applications Deadlines:

• March 1st – events occurring April – June• June 1st – events occurring July – September• September 1st – events occurring October – December • December 1st – events occurring January – March

• Payment Installment: One (1)• Requires a Final Project Summary and Copies of receipts within 45

days after the event/project• Must sign an ACEF Collaborative Agreement• Publicly acknowledge ACEF as a partner and funder• ACEF will only fund projects twice

FUNDING INITIATIVES

Reading / LiteracyParental EngagementMath and ScienceLanguage and HumanitiesHigh School Dropout Prevention

NOTICE OF EQUIPMENT PURCHASESThe Anniston Community Education Foundation will only provide funding for equipment purchases once per year for an organization. Amount not to exceed 20% of the grant budget.•Equipment includes

1. Computers / Laptops / Netbooks2. iPads / iPods3. Printers4. Microscopes / Telescopes5. Graphing Calculators6. Cameras

This list is not all inclusive and only serves as examples

All equipment purchases should be accompanied with a sustainability plan

GUIDELINES OVERVIEW• All applications must be received in the ACEF office by 5pm on March 3rd. For mailed

submittals, packages must be postmarked by the specified due date. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted or reviewed.

• Please ensure that you attach the front page of your Articles of Incorporation and a copy of your 501 © 3 award letter. For school applicants, please submit a complete IRS Form W-9 and Tax Exemption Letter.

• Your grant application packet should include:• Project narrative that clearly explains the purpose, goal(s), and objective(s) of the

project / event• A sustainability plan for equipment purchases. • Itemized budget and narrative, explicitly outlining how the funds will be used.• Letters of Support for the proposed project / event.

• Awardees must submit a Final Project Summary no later that forty-five (45) days after the event.

APPLICANTS SHOULD ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IN THEIR PROJECT NARRATIVE:

• Give a brief history of your organization, describing its purpose activities and accomplishments

• Describe the issue or problem to be addressed with grant funds.

• What are the goals and activities of the proposed project?

• List the steps you will follow to accomplish your objectives (plan of action, anticipated timeline or schedule, and staff / volunteer roles and responsibilities).

• How will you evaluate the proposed activity/program?

• List other prospective funders for the project and the amounts requested.

• Project Evaluation documents. (exclude first time applicants)

• Documented evidence that the outcomes were met or exceeded the project outcomes. (excludes first time applicants)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION• Nonprofit organizations must attach a letter of approval, on official letterhead, from the

financial manager or the immediate supervisor of the person submitting the grant, if appropriate.

• School system applicants must attach a letter of approval, on official letterhead, from the school’s principal and the school system’s superintendent.

• Request of organizations working within the school system must have prior approval from the Superintendent’s office. This approval should come in the form of a letter, on letterhead, with the Superintendent ‘s signature and should be included as part of the grant proposal.

• Letters of Support (Collaboration) should also be submitted to verify partnerships.

Submit seven (7) stapled application packets to Anniston Community Education Foundation by the application deadline.

The ACEF Board of Directors make the final award determinations.

All funding decisions are final.

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY• Must be a non-profit with a 501 (c) 3 designation

• Must address an educational need or opportunity in the impacted community

• Implement or manage an educational program or activity

• Must have specific, measurable goals and objectives set forth in the grant with a mechanism in place to measure outcomes

• Be willing to work collaboratively

ACEF WILL NOT FUND• Individuals• Religious Purposes• National Fundraising Drives• Conference or Seminar Expenses• Tickets for Benefits• Political Organizations or Candidates for Public Office• Lobbying Activities• Budget Deficits• Replacement of Government Funding Cuts• Special Events/Fundraising Dinners

GRANT REVIEW PROCESSStep 1:

Applications submitted by deadline

Step 2:Executive Director reviews

grant applications for requirements

Step 3:Grant making Committee

reviews / scores applications, containing

requirements.

Grant Review Process

(30 days)

Step 5:Applicants notified

of grant status.

Step 4:Committee makes a

funding recommendation to

the full Board for approval

and umm then

finally

ne

xt

ThEn

GRANTING PROCESS

• Submit complete application packets by the deadline (Postmarked by or hand-delivered to the ACEF office by March 3rd @ 5pm).

• A grant review committee will make a recommendation to the ACEF Board.

• The ACEF Board can approve or disapprove the recommendation.

• Applicants will be notified of their status.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

CONTACT INFORMATIONAnniston Community Education Foundation (ACEF)

1000 Quintard Avenue, Suite 305 * P.O. Box 1026 * Anniston, AL 36202

(256) 741.1629 / 741.1630 * (256)741.1631 Fax * www.annistoncef.org

Administrative Coordinator

Ms. Nicole Guyton

256.741.1630

nguyton_acef@bellsouth.net

Executive Director

Mr. Kerwin Allen

256.741.1629

kallen_acef@bellsouth.net