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Selection Criteria – Community Mini Grant Program

Eligible nonprofit organizations need to address one or more of the following community focus area problems and/or root causes of community problems, and/or serve one or more of the following populations in Boulder County. The six priority areas set by the Knight Foundation are:

•	Education: To help all residents gain the knowledge and skills necessary to reach economic self-sufficiency, remain active learners, be good parents and effective citizens in a democracy. To provide an environment in which talented individuals refine and develop their abilities.
•	Well-being of children and families: To provide all children and youth with opportunities for positive growth and development and to give all parents resources they need to strengthen their families.
•	Housing and community development: To provide all residents with access to affordable and decent housing in safe, drug-free neighborhoods. To provide a continuum that includes everything from services for the homeless to affordable opportunities for home ownership.
•	Economic development: To help all adults gain access to jobs. To build alliances among government, business and nonprofit sectors to create economic opportunities for residents.
•	Civic engagement/positive human relations: To encourage and enable all residents to participate effectively in the democratic process, form ties to local institutions and strengthen relationships with one another.
•	Vitality of cultural life: To provide all residents access to a wide variety of artistic and cultural pursuits. To nourish creativity in children, youth and adults.

We recognize that there may be overlap among the above focus areas. However, proposals that achieve the best fit within one program area's highest priorities receive greater consideration than proposals that marginally address several priorities.

If your organization meets one or more of the focus areas listed above, read on.

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Eligibility Criteria
Those items listed below that are followed by an * are required. The Community Mini Grant program seeks to fund organizations that have the following characteristics:

•	Nonprofit organization - 501(c)(3) status, or has a fiscal sponsor*
•	Based in and serving Boulder County*
•	Seek to launch, expand, or replicate an innovative program

Organizations must demonstrate:
•	A track-record of successful program/service implementation, making measurable impacts on populations served and/or issues addressed;
•	Reasoned methodology, i.e. needs assessment or replication of a model program, to demonstrate potential for success;
•	In the case of some new organizations, provide a revolutionary approach to solving a community issue;
•	Collaboration with other nonprofits .

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Application Process

To be considered for support, organizations should submit a Letter of Request (deadlines listed below) to the Knight Foundation at http://www2.knightfdn.org/apply/, The Letter should not exceed two pages in length, and should include no attachments.The Letter of Request should include the following information:

•	One paragraph summarizing your organization’s mission and history;
•	A summary of your goals and specific activities to be supported by the award. Please include details around the population you intend to serve and how it addresses one of the three focus areas described in this call for letters of inquiry;
•	Budget figures: a) the amount of financial support requested from Community Mini Grant program in 2006 (Maximum amount awarded $5,000); b) the total budget for the requested project, if project-specific support is sought; c) the organization’s total 2006 operating budget.

Please submit Letters of Request by 5:00 pm, April 3, 2008, at http://www2.knightfdn.org/apply/.


Deadlines dates for funding requests for 2008
January 31, 2008
April 30, 2008
July 31, 2008
October 31, 2008

Please contact Carly Hare, Programs Director at The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County with any questions.

303-442-0436