Grant Process:
1. Submit Letter of Intent by March 31st
Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent. In preparation to submit the Letter of Intent, each organization should confirm they meet all requirements by:
**Being able to provide a copy of the Dept. of Treasury letter affirming the organization's status as a tax-exempt public charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3) for a minimum of 2 years prior to July 1st of the year the organization is applying. Religious institutions must have a separate tax-exempt entity, not under the umbrella of the body of worship, to apply.
**Registering with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and providing a current copy of your proof of your Solicitation of Contributions License (unless the organization is exempt).
**Registering with the Florida Division of Corporations.
**Carrying Directors and Officers Insurance as well as General Liability Insurance.
**Being based in, already providing services to, or collaborating with organizations in Okaloosa and/or Walton Counties.
Only nonprofits that have submitted a Letter of Intent meeting all requirements by the deadline will be given a grant application for the current year. The Letter of Intent must be submitted online. Grant Application access will be provided to applicants upon approval of the Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent will be accessible on the website from February 1st through March 31st.
2. After receiving the application, please attend one of our Grant Workshops.
There will be a workshop held in Okaloosa County and one held in Walton County. It will be very helpful to have read through the grant application PRIOR to attending the workshop.
3. Grant Applications are due July 1st
Once submitted, Impact100 NWF will check to ensure the application is complete and notify the applicant that it was received. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. As a group of volunteers, we are happy to answer your questions along the process. That said, as a group of volunteers, it may not be possible to get to your questions if asked at the last minute. Please plan accordingly and reach out to us by email as soon as possible with questions.
4. Review of Applications (September & early October)
As the applications are received, the Grants Committee will make sure that all required documents have been included. Applications that are incomplete may not move forward. The Finance Committee reviews each applicant's financial standing. Applications that do not pass the Finance Committee's vetting, will not more forward.
Following this first step of our approval phase, each Focus Area Committee (15-20 Impact100 members) reviews the applications and schedules site visits allowing applicants to showcase their organization and project for members of the committee. Grant Applications are evaluated based on the strength of the organization, the project's sustainability and the impact in the community. Two finalists from each focus area will be selected.
5. Finalist Reveal--Meet the Finalists (mid October)
Finalists from each category will be notified of their status and invited to the Meet the Finalists Reveal event attended by Impact100 NWF members. This notification will occur on the day of the Finalist Reveal event.
6. Finalist Presentation and Selection at our Annual Meeting (2nd Sunday in November)
Project Summaries written by each of the finalists will be provided to voting members of Impact100 NWF ahead our Annual Meeting. Members not in attendance at the meeting will use this written summary to determine their vote. During the annual meeting, each grant finalist will deliver a 5-minute presentation to the membership. Impact100 members will vote by individual ballot and the winning projects will be selected by majority vote and announced that day.
7. Working with a Grant Liaison, Reports and Evaluation
Following the award of the grants, the Grants Committee assigns Grant Liaisons to each recipient. Prior to the release of grant funds, each recipient must complete the Impact100 NWF Grant Agreement Form.
Recipients must submit quarterly reports on the implementation and progress of the project to their liaison who then submits those reports to the Impact100 NWF Board of Directors. When the project is complete the recipient must submit a final report within 30 days of completion.
8. Wish Lists
Finalists that do not receive a grant will have an opportunity to submit a wish list of items that could benefit their organization. Wish lists will be posted on the Impact100 website, giving possible donors an opportunity to fund applicant's wishes.
For any questions about the grant process contact us at grants@impactnwf.org.
