Policies
Eligible
Activities
The specific costs associated with technical assistance that are
eligible for funding include: consulting services, training, or
technology upgrades designed to build the capacity of nonprofit
organizations. Three general categories of technical assistance
have been established: Management Assistance, Organizational Alternatives,
and Diagnostic Clinics. Eligible activities may be implemented
in one or more of various Management Assistance areas: Corporate
Structure/Board of Directors, Legal, Program, Human Resources, Finance,
Fundraising, Marketing, Technology, and Planning. A more descriptive
listing of technical assistance categories is provided here.
In cases where a merger, corporate restructuring, or other, major
organizational change is planned, the applicant may apply under
the second category, Organizational Alternatives. Diagnostic
Clinics are designed to assess the management and governance
needs of a single nonprofit organization.
Grants will not be made for the following activities: general
operating support, office equipment and furnishings (except for
computer hardware and software), construction or rehabilitation
of facilities, emergency repairs, payroll needs, debt liquidation
or routine financial audits. The Nonprofit Management Fund does
not support program planning, program evaluation, or community needs
assessments. The Fund will not underwrite expenses associated with
capital campaigns, including feasibility studies. Projects that
request support for independent contractors to perform staff functions
will not receive funding.
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Proposal
Review
A consulting firm has been retained by the sponsoring funders to
assist in screening applicants; make grant recommendations; advise
the sponsors on the project; and, aid Fund applicants in preparing
their proposals where appropriate. The Fund Advisor, Patricia Wyzbinski
from Management
Cornerstones Inc., does not provide consultation or other contract
services to organizations that are eligible to apply to the Nonprofit
Management Fund.
All proposals will be reviewed by the Fund Advisor, and a committee
composed of the sponsoring funders will make grant decisions. Applicants
will be visited or phoned for clarification of their technical assistance
needs as part of the review process. A sub-committee with representatives
of the sponsoring funders will make recommendations on the awards
to the Board of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation for ratification.
To
view the Proposal Review Criteria, click here.
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Applicant
Qualifications
Small and medium-sized private, nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)3, organizations,
which have been incorporated as a nonprofit for at least two years
and serve Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington or Waukesha Counties, are
eligible. The priority target groups of the Fund are smaller organizations
that lack the capacity to underwrite technical assistance within
their operating budgets. Organizations with annual operating budgets
over $3,000,000 will not be considered. Applicants are expected
to have Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, or Waukesha County as their
primary target area, with the majority of work conducted in the
greater Milwaukee area.
Religious organizations will be considered for projects that serve
the general community or neighborhood beyond the membership of the
applicant. Projects to promote a particular denomination or faith
will not be considered. This policy is not intended to discourage
faith-based community or social service organizations from applying
to the Nonprofit Management Fund.
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Minority-led
Organizations
The Milwaukee Fund has affirmed an interest in investing in organizations
and communities of color. The Nonprofit Management Fund will use
the following definition of a minority-led organization. To be considered
as a "minority-led" organization and answer "yes" to Question 7
on the application, organizations applying to the Fund must meet
at least one criterion from the following list under "leadership"
and at least one criterion under "mission".
|
Leadership
|
Mission
|
| A
majority of those serving on the Board are people of color. |
A
majority of the people participating in the programs of the
organizations, or are directly served by the organization, are
persons of color. |
| The
majority of the organization's senior management staff are persons
of color. |
The
missions statement specifically targets persons or communities
of color. |
| The
organization's Executive Director is a person of color. |
|
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Proposal
Format
A brief grant application and accompanying narrative for the Nonprofit
Management Fund must be completed by all qualified organizations.
It is particularly important that the applicant submit materials
describing the consultant or training services that will be provided
to the applicant. The consultant's workplan should clearly identify
expected outcomes of the consultation. Additional materials beyond
those listed on the application form are not encouraged.
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Matching
Funds
In general, it is assumed that most projects will have at least
an in-kind match. The match should be documented as part of the
budget, and may be a factor in the decision to award funds.
|
Criteria
|
Match
Required
|
| Technology
projects purchasing hardware or software (does not include consultant
fees). |
1:1
cash match required. |
| Organizations
with annual operating budgets over $1 million. |
10%
cash match required. |
| Organizations
with annual operating budgets over $2 million. |
25%
cash match required. |
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Awards
Grants will be project-specific, non-renewable, and range from $1,000
to $10,000 ($1,000 to $7,500 for Waukesha). For the Milwaukee Fund,
grants are awarded throughout the year. For the Waukesha County
Fund, committee meetings to award grants are held in March and September
annually.
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Reporting
Requirements
Organizations receiving a restricted grant from the Nonprofit Management
Fund must submit a report on project outcomes and an evaluation
of the consultant within 30 days of the completion of the project.
A copy of the document(s) produced as part of the consultation must
be included with the final report.
Any
major change in a grant project, including the scope of work, a
contract with a consultant, or a timetable for completion of grant-related
work, requires an update be provided to the Fund, with the Fund
Advisor being able to review the situation with the grantee prior
to the implementation of the change.
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Repeat
Applicants
In order for a nonprofit organization to submit another application
to the Fund, all commitments from the previous award must be completed,
and the evaluation report of that grant submitted.
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