| What is the Strengthening Communities Initiative? |
| The Initiative Foundation’s Strengthening Communities Initiative is made possible with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). |
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| Who is eligible to apply? |
- Individuals or emerging groups that are not yet well-organized, but intent on building a service organization.
- Community-based nonprofit organizations
- Faith-based organizations
- Worshipping communities (churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, meetings and other religious entities) with at least one substantial secular social service program addressing a broad economic recovery issue or critical human need.
- Collaboratives – two or more partners from this list working together to address broad economic recovery issues in the community.
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| What does capacity building mean? |
| Capacity building is the internal work and planning an organization does that results in making an organization stronger, more effective and accountable, and more sustainable. The HOP/SCI financial assistance allows an organization and its leaders to do significant planning, training, development and implementation work. |
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| In what ways does HOP/SCI build capacity? |
The HOP/SCI program builds capacity by enabling organizations to:
- Engage consultants to assist with strategic planning, developing collaboration strategies, creating evaluation systems, developing and implementing human resources and volunteer policies, and to develop program needs assessments, to name some examples.
- Obtain or update technology and business equipment to operate more efficiently, including computers, printers, copiers, fax and voice messaging components, software programs such as databases, accounting and spreadsheet packages, web site development, publishing and marketing programs. Allowable costs can include maintenance/service agreements for new equipment and new software.
- Training staff, board members and volunteers in leadership, nonprofit management and program development to meet community needs.
- Training staff, board and volunteers in helping program participants’ access federal, state and local benefits, tax credits, social service benefits and financial literacy skills.
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| Are there activities or expenses that are not acceptable within HOP/SCI program guidelines? |
| Yes. General operating costs, such as rent, telephone service, office supplies, volunteer celebrations, food, client vouchers, and regular salaries or stipends are not covered. Hiring a consultant to do direct fundraising, including grant-writing, is prohibited. |
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| Can funding be used for any salaries or wages? |
Yes, the capacity building time can be charged to the financial assistance. Time spent on:
- Meeting and planning with consultants
- Meeting with Board members to present the capacity building plans
- Attending training, workshops, required meetings
- Travel time to and from the required meetings
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| What about attendance at conferences? |
Attendance at a conference must relate to a staff position and the organization’s human service mission. Acceptable costs include:
- Registration fees
- Round trip transportation, including local meetings as well as regional or out-of-state conferences
- Local accommodations
- Meals not to exceed $40/day (alcoholic beverages are specifically excluded)
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| What is an appropriate range for consulting fees? |
In general, competent consultancy will range from $50 to $150/hour. Contracts should contain:
- Scope of services
- Calendar with a projected start and end date
- Estimate of hours and direct costs
- A not-to-exceed clause capping expenses
- Conditions for termination
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| What is a human services budget in a worshipping community? |
Often this is called the:
- Local mission effort
- Community outreach budget
- Community service budget
These are the funds a worshipping community sets aside to serve community needs beyond its own congregation. It excludes the religious education costs, choir and music needs, building maintenance, and other regular operating costs. |
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| Does my organization need to be in place or can it be a new organization? |
| The HOP/SCI program builds capacity in mature organizations as well as new or emerging organizations. Emerging organizations might be considered as people doing good work together and ready to take the next steps toward building an organization with more formal structure, policies and procedures. In addition, the Project works with collaboratives and coalitions, partnerships formed to jointly address critical human service/broad economic needs. |
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| What makes an organization eligible to apply? |
Several elements are considered, and surprisingly, there are some things that are not required. Here’s the list for eligibility again:
- Must address a broad economic recovery/critical human need serving low income people.
- Must be incorporated or be in the process of incorporation with the State of Minnesota. Successful applicants cannot receive their financial assistance until evidence of incorporation is provided.
- Does not need a 501(c)(3) status letter from the IRS.
- Does not need to have a fiscal host.
- Strong preference is given to organizations with budgets that don’t exceed $500,000. This means your entire organizational budget, not just your program.
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| How do I go about obtaining incorporation for my organization? |
| Contact the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office www.sos.state.mn.us to begin the process of incorporation. You do not have to be incorporated to apply, but if your organization is selected to receive financial assistance, your organization must be incorporated as a nonprofit organization before the funds can be released. The filing fees for incorporation are covered by the financial assistance funds. |
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| What size of financial award is available through this application process? |
| The awards may range from $4,000 up to $15,000, with an average award being about $9,000. In some instances awards may be made for less than $4,000 based on the needs of the applicant. |
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| How does a collaborative apply for financial assistance? |
A collaborative is a partnership of two or more agencies agreeing to work together on a critical human or broad economic need for the year. One partner must be designated as the lead organization in the collaborative in order to receive and account for the financial assistance and capacity building activities.
Each member of the collaborative must:
- Sign the certification sheet in the application.
- Complete the Application Form – the short ‘at a glance’ form
The lead organization will complete the:
- Application Narrative
- Application Form
- Baseline Survey for the collaborative
- Budget Form
- Checklist and Certification
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| If my organization receives financial assistance, what is expected? |
HOP GrowStrong and HOP StartStrong: You will be expected to attend and participate in capacity building trainings, cohort meetings with other financial assistance recipients, and technical assistance meetings with Initiative Foundation staff or consultants. In addition, we will provide a daylong training in Goals, Outcomes, and Evaluation Measures for all awardees.
HOP StayStrong: You will be offered the opportunity for technical assistance and capacity-building trainings as above.
All recipients: You will develop a detailed action plan and budget amendment (as needed). Timely financial reports, an interim and a final report are required. |
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| What kind of time commitment is expected? |
HOP StartStrong and HOP GrowStrong recipients are expected to commit at least two representatives from your organization to a rewarding and time-intensive process, ideally including a board member. Here’s an estimate of what your commitment may be for the year:
- Cohort meetings plus travel – at least bi-monthly meetings (of two hours plus travel) with other award recipients – 4-6 meetings estimated for the term.
- Site visits with Initiative Foundation staff – 2 hours
- Ongoing Consultation – individual or small group work with Initiative Foundation staff – average 10-20 hours.
- Goals, Outcomes and Measures training - 6 hours
- Nonprofit management training provided by Initiative Foundation – 16-30 hours
- Mid-term progress report – 1-2 hours
- Quarterly staff time & financial reports – 4-6 hours
- Final Progress Report – 3 hours
In addition there may be other meetings or training opportunities. Timely financial reports will be required and you will be working on your organization’s specific capacity building action plan. |
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