Community Grant Application Process

Application and review processes

• The UCare Fund publishes its giving priorities and application deadline annually.
• The 2011 community grant deadline is May 6, 2011.
• Funding determinations will be made by mid-August 2011. The 2011 funding cycle occurs Sept. 1, 2011 – Aug. 31, 2012.

Notification

• If an application falls outside the geographic or programmatic purview of the UCare Fund, the UCare Fund will notify the applicant immediately by letter and the application will receive no further consideration.
• The UCare Fund will send written notice of the Council’s decision to the applicant by mid-August.
• Grant recipients must complete and return the grant agreement before the UCare Fund will release the grant funds.
• Payment is scheduled after a signed grant agreement is received.

Conditions of grants and reporting

• Grantees are required to participate in a six-month, on-site visit, and to submit an interim and final report. Reporting requirements are modeled after the Minnesota Common Reporting Forms and include financial reporting.

How to apply for a community grant

• In the preliminary stages, telephone inquiries or e-mails to discuss potential projects or programs are encouraged, but not required. Inquiry letters also are encouraged but not required.
• Community project proposals should use the Minnesota Common Grant Application.

Review process for community grants

• Community grant applications receive preliminary and final reviews by UCare Fund staff to determine if a proposal falls generally within the Fund’s giving guidelines, including how the application supports UCare’s mission and guidelines.
• UCare personnel investigate each proposal and, if necessary, request additional information. The UCare Fund Council makes all final funding determinations.