The Application Process
Eligibility
New Harvest Foundation makes grants to organizations that:
- provide services that benefit the LGBT communities in South Central Wisconsin,
- are not-for-profit and exempt from federal taxes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code, or
- who use a qualifying fiscal sponsor.
Priorities
New Harvest Foundation gives preference to proposals that:
- are from small organizations without ready access to other funding sources;
- increase LGBT visibility;
- are new or innovative, and respond to unmet needs in our communities;
- continue projects/programs of proven value; and/or
- demonstrate cooperation or collaboration with others engaged in similar efforts.
Screening Criteria
New Harvest Foundation will use the following criteria for evaluating each proposal for funding requests:
- Does the proposed project work to empower LGBT communities?
- Is the project/program feasible and likely to be effective?
- Are the project/program goals and budget realistic for the time and resources allocated?
- Are alternative sources of funding likely to be available for this project/program?
- To what extent would New Harvest Foundation funding be leveraged to provide the greatest impact?
- How many LGBT people will be affected by this work?
- How will the project/program increase New Harvest Foundation’s visibility?
- Has the organization been funded by New Harvest Foundation in the past? Were those projects/programs successfully completed and the required reports submitted?
Limitations
New Harvest Foundation does not fund:
- Projects/programs outside of South Central Wisconsin
- Annual fund drives, endowments, or capital campaigns
- Promotion of legislative change (lobbying)
- Candidates for public office
- General administrative or personnel costs not linked to a specific program/project
- Religious organizations may be funded to conduct projects/programs which meet the above guidelines and priorities provided these projects/programs do not support religious work or promote specific religious beliefs.
New Harvest Foundation will consider funding administrative overhead of no more than 10% of the total budget of any grant proposal.
Personnel costs related to the delivery of direct services will be allowed provided the proposal explains how the personnel costs affect the delivery of those direct services. Additional information may be requested by the Grant Screening Committee if these items are included in the grant request.
Projects/programs should be one year in duration with the possibility of renewal.
New Harvest Foundation will consider funding grants for up to $10,000.00.
Application Timeline
New Harvest Foundation solicits grants twice per year, according to the following schedule:
First Cycle
April 1, Applications made available
April 15, Pre-Application letter due
May 30, Grant applications due
July 30, Grant awards announced
Second Cycle
October 1, Applications made available
October 15, Pre-Application letter due
November 30, Grant applications due
January 30, Grant awards announced
Who Makes Grant Decisions?
The Grant Screening Committee, composed of several members of the New Harvest Board of Directors and community volunteers, reviews the Pre-Application letters, grant applications and makes recommendations for funding to the New Harvest Board of Directors at the next NHF Board of Directors meeting. The Board then votes on final approval of all grant applications.
