DUE BY 5 p.m. January 29, 2010

INTRODUCTION
15 Forever was established as a permanent fund of The Community Foundation to serve the needs of Boulder County youth into the future. The 15 Forever Program is a youth civic engagement, leadership, and grantmaking program of The Community Foundation. The intention of 15 Forever is to address the needs and concerns of Boulder County youth from a youth perspective. Each year 15 Forever will grant $15,000 in grants to programs focused on the youth of Boulder County.

Each year, fifteen Youth Leaders are selected through an application process to serve on the advisory committee. This group determines the 15 Forever funding priorities for the year and makes grant recommendations to The Community Foundation Board of Trustees.

FUNDING FOCUS FOR 2009-2010

The 15 Forever program is interested in funding youth programs involving peer education. Programs addressing at least one of the following areas are encouraged to apply:

• Substance Abuse
• Sexual Health
• Diversity
• Domestic Abuse
• Suicide Prevention

This year, 15 Forever is aiming to achieve a high level of youth education through outreach, expansion, and awareness opportunities that can be facilitated by organizations throughout our community.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Non-profit, governmental or other public groups interested in applying for grants from 15 Forever are invited to submit a concept letter describing the proposed project. The 15 Forever Youth Advisory Committee will review the concept letters and choose a number of finalists to schedule site visits.

Applicants should submit via email or mail one copy of the following:

1. A concept letter, which should be no longer than two typed pages and should include:
   • Who will be involved in the project?
   • What the project will accomplish and how it will be accomplished?
   • How the proposal meets the funding focus of 2009-2010?
   • Why the project is important for the youth of Boulder County?
   • The time frame for accomplishing the project?
   • How to keep the project going in the future (if applicable)?
   • How much money is requested?
2. Organization Summary – this can be found on
   http://www.commfound.org/grants/orgsummary.html
3. A separate budget page, listing expenses and brief descriptions of how each expense supports the proposal, should accompany the narrative description
4. Diversity Chart Assessment- A copy of can be found on our website at http://www.commfound.org/grants/diversitychart.xls
5. Proof of your tax-exempt status
6. Either a signed copy of The Community Foundation’s anti-discrimination policy affirming that your organization is in compliance with the statement, or a copy of your organization’s anti-discrimination policy. A copy of The Community Foundation’s policy can be found on our website at http://www.commfound.org/grants.antidiscrim.html

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Projects must meet the funding focus for 2009-2010
• Applicants can be any non-profit organization with an IRS 501(c)(3) designation or any governmental or public entity. (Groups or organizations that do not have IRS 501(c)(3) designation may only apply in partnership with one of the non-profit designations listed above.)
• The group or organization must provide services or conduct the proposed activities within Boulder County for the benefit of Boulder County residents.
• 15 Forever does not fund projects that further a particular religious or political doctrine.

FUNDING RANGE

15 Forever will award $15,000 in grants in 2010. Grant proposal requests will be considered within the $250.00-$15,000.00 range.

TIME LINE

Concept letters are due by 5:00 p.m. January 29, 2010 to The Community Foundation.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING E-MAIL CONCEPT LETTERS

(E-Mail is the preferred method of submission): Send ONE copy of your concept letter and accompanying materials (I-VI above) to .

You will receive a return e-mail confirming that your materials have been received.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING PAPER COPIES OF CONCEPT LETTERS
(If you cannot send e-mail): You can mail or hand-deliver ONE copy of your concept letter and accompanying materials (I-VI above) to:
The Community Foundation
1123 Spruce Street
Boulder, CO 80302

Sorry we cannot accept faxed proposals.

For more information, please contact Elvira Ramos at
The Community Foundation, 303-442-0436 or email