January 15 - February 29 - Request for Proposals Accepted
* Applications must be postmarked by February 22.
* Late applications will not be accepted.
* Applications should be MAILED to our post office box.
* Applications for Mentor Program Grants must be received no later than February 18, 2008.

As the KCF office is staffed part-time, hand-delivered applications must be arranged in advance (360-698-3622).

You will receive email confirmation within one week that the application has been received. Please make sure to provide a valid email address for communications.

Mail applications to: Kitsap Community Foundation,
ATTN: Grant Committee, PO Box 3670, Silverdale, WA 98383

March 3 - March 21: Proposal Review
April 1 - 15: Notification
Date to be announced: Grant Awards Ceremony

For additional questions, please call us at 360.698.3622 or email kcf@kitsapfoundation.org.

GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURE

NARRATIVE:
Limit your response to the following items to no more than four pages, not including the required grant summary page.

APPLICANT ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Include organizational mission statement and purpose, organizational qualifications, history of accomplishments, governance, area and population served, role of volunteers. If this is a collaboration, describe the lead agency and its relation to others involved in the proposed project.

NEEDS AND STRENGTHS:
Identify the needs and strengths of the community or groups you serve and how this proposal will address them. Acknowledge similar existing projects or agencies, if any, and explain how your agency or proposal differs, and what effort will be made to work cooperatively.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
1. Project goals, objectives, timeline, and anticipated impact.
2. Expected role of staff and volunteers.
3. Number and types of people who will benefit from your proposal.
4. How will you monitor your work and how will you measure success or effectiveness?
5. What are your other potential and actual sources of support for this proposal? Where do you expect to find future support?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please address anything else about your organization or project you think is relevant to this proposal.

GRANT PROPOSAL CHECKLIST
TWO COMPLETE COPIES OF THE APPLICATION PACKET ARE REQUIRED. (Note: only one copy of most recent audited financial statement need be included.)

* Grant Summary Page (available in Microsoft Word or PDF Adobe Acrobat)
* Mentor Program Grant Summary Page (available in Microsoft Word or PDF Adobe Acrobat)
* Narrative (four-page limit) about use of KCF funds.
* Verification of tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), or other such proof of charitable activities (see General Policy statement).
* List of current board members (including member affiliations and any other pertinent information).
* List of key organizational staff, including titles and main functions.
* A one-page summary of current year revenue and expense budget (operating budget). Please note status (committed or requested) of each revenue source.
* A one-page summary of actual operating revenue and expenses for the past two complete fiscal years, including a listing of funding sources and amounts received over the past two years (Group sources in broad categories, please do not include individual donor names or amount of donations.)
* Proposed project income and expense budget, if applicable. Please note status (committed or requested) of each revenue source.
* If the project for which you are seeking funds is a collaboration with other agencies, include letters of commitment or other documentation of support from the collaborating agencies.
* One copy of the most recent audited financial statement. If your organization foes not conduct an annual audit, please provide a copy of your most recent IRS Form 990 or 990EZ (if available). If those are not available, please provide documentation to demonstrate your organization is in compliance with any regulatory agencies (State of Washington).

GENERAL POLICY
Kitsap Community Foundation supports charitable organizations that benefit Kitsap County and its surrounding areas. Evidence of an organization's charitable purpose is required. Such evidence may include tax returns, the organization's corporate charter and by-laws, financial statements, an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or other evidence of accomplishments.

Kitsap Community Foundation is primarily interested in funding programs that build on existing strengths of an organization. We consider a wide variety of proposals that focus on the areas of civic and community improvement, education, social services, recreation, the environment, or youth. Grants will be considered for general operational support and for capital needs of qualified institutions or organizations. Grants are to be used exclusively for the purpose stated in the proposal and in accordance with the grant proposal plan, budget and timeline.

Funding decisions are based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the number of people served, the potential for funding from other sources, alignment between the proposed project and KCF funding priorities, the originality of the project, uniqueness of proposed services within Kitsap County area and the demonstrated need of the organization.

During the 2008 Grant Cycle, individual grants may range from a $500 minimum to $2,500 (Mentor Program: $200 - $300).

The Foundation favors those projects that:
* Address demonstrated or proven community problems or gaps in service.
* Provide connections between people, organizations and their communities.
* Encourage collaborative efforts among charitable organizations, education, government and business.
* Serve as models for other communities.
* Promote collaboration among diverse groups.
* Leverage KCF grant dollars with funds from other sources.
* Encourage use of volunteers.
* Enhance education/opportunities for children and youth.
* Improve the viability and management of nonprofit organizations.

Generally, the Foundation does not make grants to:
* Annual Campaign Appeals
* Endowments
* Individuals
* Political or lobbying activities
* Religious organizations for sacramental or theological purposes
* Publications, except those that grow out of research and experiments underwritten by the Foundation
* Deficit reduction

Please Note: these policies and priorities are based on the long-range service of Kitsap Community Foundation to Kitsap County and its neighboring communities. The Board of Directors may occasionally revise these policies in order to maintain flexibility and to reflect community needs.

Kitsap Community Foundation Family Endowment Fund