MAKING AN IMPACT FOR OVER A DECADE
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Frequently Asked Questions |
1. Are there any changes to Impact100 Grants for 2021?For 2021 only, instead of our usual Community Grants and $100,000 Impact Grant, Impact100 Sonoma will offer Impetus Grants in response to the continuing effects of COVID-19 pandemic. Impetus Grants will all be for up to $25,000 each. Click here for more information. 2. What is the timeline for the grants selection process for 2021?The 2021 grants timeline is shorter than normal, and will take place from January through March. This abbreviated cycle is in response to the urgent needs of the Sonoma Valley nonprofit community and ensures that the funds will be available as quickly as possible. To see all dates and deadlines for the current year, click here. 3. What does it mean to make a proposal in support of an organization’s “core mission”?Impact 100 has always asked about an organization’s mission, and we trust them to know the needs of, and how to best serve, their clients and constituents. 4. How does Impact100 Sonoma select its Grant recipients?Impetus Grant Review Committees and the Financial Review Committee are made up of volunteer members of Impact100 Sonoma. The Financial Review Committee reviews all financial documents submitted and makes a report to the Grant Review Committees. Grant Review Committees review and discuss the applications, select site visit candidates and ultimately select finalists to present to the entire Impact100 Membership. The Membership votes to select Impetus Grant recipients. Read more about the process here. 5. Will you consider a proposal from a group of organizations collaborating on a project or program?Yes. One of the collaborating organizations must be the lead, applying on behalf of the collaboration as if it were an individual organization. The lead organization must be willing to take on all the potential rights, responsibilities, restrictions, and liabilities of the entire grant if the grant is awarded. See definitions here. 6. Can an organization apply for more than one Impetus Grant?An organization may only apply for one Impetus Grant unless it applies for one grant individually and for another one as part of a collaborative or partner grant. 7. If an organization is awarded an Impetus Grant, will it be allowed to apply again in 2022?Yes. Impetus Grants are meant to be a one-time-only response to the challenges of COVID-19. We intend to return to our usual model of Impact and Community Grants in 2022, and all applicants will be able to reapply. 8. What is your definition of a Fiscal Agent in relation to Impetus Grants?The fiscal agent acts on behalf of the applicant organization primarily when the organization is too small to have 501(c)3 status. Acting as a pass-through entity, the fiscal agent has financial control over the grant but does not have management control over the project. No fees may be paid to a fiscal agent with the grant funds received from Impact100 Sonoma. 9. Your eligibility considerations indicate you will not fund capital campaigns. Will you fund capital expenditures as part of a grant proposal?Yes. We will fund capital expenditures for an Impetus Grant request that is clearly related to the objectives of the proposal. 10. Will you fund construction or renovation as part of a proposal?Yes. We will fund construction or renovation if it is clearly related to the objectives described in the proposal. 11. Will Impact100 Sonoma fund technology expenditures?Yes. 12. Can a grant applicant fax or mail its application materials?No, please submit your application online in the manner described in the Application Process. 13. Can a grant applicant send additional materials with the application, like a cover letter or one of its brochures or newsletters?No, only submit the materials requested in the Application Process. The applicant will have the opportunity to share more with us if the applicant is selected to have a site visit. 14. How many Impetus Grants will be awarded?The number of grants depends on how many Impact100 members we have for 2021. We will not be certain of that number until late in January 2021. 15. Who can an organization contact to discuss our grant application before or after sending it in?Impact 100 prides itself on its ability to maintain a level playing field among all applicants. Therefore, we do not offer feedback on proposals. For specific questions regarding grant guidelines, processes or forms, contact:
16. How does Impact100 Sonoma oversee the distribution of grant funds to selected nonprofit organizations?Impact100 Sonoma oversees distribution of funds through grant agreements and reports. 17. Will the grant be distributed in one lump sum?Yes, Impetus Grants will be distributed in one lump sum. Grant recipients will have up to two years to spend the funds. 18. If conditions change and a grant recipient is unable to implement its original proposal, is there room to change the proposal?Yes. We will allow for some flexibility, as long as the recipient contacts us and asks for permission to carry out the revised plan. 19. Are there typical reasons for rejecting an application?Impact100 Sonoma receives many more applications than we can fund each year. They are all compelling and valuable and we wish that we could fund them all. Each committee discusses applications in depth and generally selects the ones they feel will have the most benefit to our community. We often speak to applicants if they are not selected as a grant recipient and usually encourage them to reapply the following year. |
OUR VISION A Thriving Sonoma Valley OUR MISSION Empowering women of Sonoma Valley to invest in a more sustainable nonprofit community through collective giving and responsible stewardship Impact100 Sonoma is a member of Philanos | Impact100 Sonoma |