GRANT APPLICATION

The Common Grant Application (CGA) Form was developed to facilitate the application process for grantmakers and grantseekers. A companion CGA User Guide is available on the Gateway Center for Giving website (www.centerforgiving.org).

To the Grantmaker: If you are interested in using the CGA for your foundation's grant application, please feel free to download this template, modify it to suit your needs, and host it on your organization's website. You may wish to insert instructions about word or character limits. Please contact info@centerforgiving.org to let us know that you will be using a version of the CGA so that we can share important updates in the future.

To the Grantseeker: Grantmakers who accept the CGA will host this form on their respective websites; some grantmakers may have modified versions of the CGA. Please keep in mind that every grantmaker has different guidelines and priorities, as well as different deadlines and timetables. Any funder that has agreed to accept this form may request additional information at any stage in the proposal process.

Click here for a list of grantmakers in the St. Louis region who accept a version of the CGA. Visit their respective websites to learn more.

Guidelines:

Applicants should perform their own research to determine the foundations and corporations that make grants to your type of organization, in the geographic area in which you function, and for your field of interest.
Visit the grantmaker's website to obtain a copy of funding guidelines from each individual grantmaker for each application you plan to submit. Each grantmaker has different guidelines for using this form and requires different attachments. Determine how the application should be submitted and the number of copies required.
Do not submit handwritten proposals.
Answer all the questions unless otherwise instructed by the grantmaker.
Do not include any materials other than those specifically requested.
Check with the individual grantmaker to find out how they would like this form to be submitted.

Access the CGA User Guide for the following information:

Background on the Common Grant Application
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary of Terms
Proposal Writing Tips
Guide to each question asked in this application, including examples on how to best answer each question

Resources:

Missouri Common Grant Application Orientations, presented by the Gateway Center for Giving and Network for Strong Communities (NSC) (scheduled periodically throughout the year)
The Grants and Foundation Center at the St. Louis Public Library Central Branch
- Foundation Center resources can also be accessed at the Kirkwood Public Library and the St. Charles Public Library
Foundation Center Guide to Proposal Writing

Step 1 of 7

Grant Application Cover Sheet
Grantmaker to whom this application is submitted
Application Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Organization's legal name:

(as shown on IRS Letter of Determination)
Doing business as:

(if different from legal name)
EIN
Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Org. Telephone #
Org. Fax #
Org. Website
Org. Email Address
Executive Director
(or top executive)
Name

(Please include prefix and title)
Phone
Email
Main contact(s) for the proposal:
Name

(Please include prefix and title)
Phone
Email
Board President
Name
Phone
Email
Organization's tax exempt status/IRS designation

(e.g., 501(c)(3), 501(c)(9), etc.)
IRS Letter of Determination
Drop files here or

Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 20 MB.
Attach a copy of the IRS Letter of Determination- NOTE- this is not the state sales and use tax exemption certificate. If there has been a name change provide copies of the amended state certificate of incorporation and amended IRS Letter of Determination.
Fiscal Agent

If not a 501(c){3) nonprofit, then who is the fiscal agent?
Fiscal Agent Written Agreement
Drop files here or

Max. file size: 32 MB.
Attach a copy of the written agreement from fiscal agent plus fiscal agent's contact information and EIN.
Fiscal Agent EIN
Fiscal Agent Phone
Fiscal Agent Email
Organization's mission statement
Type of Request
- Capacity Building Support
- Capital Campaign
- General Operating Support
- Project/Program Support
- Other (explain)
Note: not all funders support each type of request. Check with individual grantmaker.
Type of Project / Program Support
- New Project
- Existing Project
- Expansion of Existing Project

Reminder: Refer to the CGA User Guide for clarification and helpful tips.
Project/campaign name:

(if general operating please indicate)
Proposal summary:
In 100 words or less summarize the purpose of this request.
Funding period requested:
Be specific
Start Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
End Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Amount Requested
Total project budget for this period:
(not required if general operating request)
Organizational annual budget:
Organization fiscal year:
Start Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
End Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Geographic area(s) served:
Include specific counties. For this project. If general operations support, for this organization.
Does your organization receive funding from a giving federation?
Please list all that apply. (e.g., United Way, Arts and Education Council, Jewish Federation)
Agreement
I certify, to the best of my knowledge, that all information included in this proposal is correct. The tax exempt status of this organization is still in effect. If a grant is awarded to this organization, then the proceeds of that grant will not be distributed or used to benefit any organization or individual supporting or engaged in unlawful activities.

In compliance with the USA Patriot Act and other counterterrorism laws, I certify that all funds received from this funder will be used in compliance with all applicable anti-terrorist financing and asset control laws, statutes, and executive orders.
Name & Title of Authorized Representative (e.g. Executive Director)*
Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY

SECTION D: PROJECT INFORMATION
7. Describe who will be served by this grant? How many will be served?
8. What are your project goals?
(Operating or capital requests: what are your agency's major goals?)
9. What activities do you intend to engage in or provide to achieve the aforementioned goals?
Please provide an in-depth description of the activities/services, including: 1) how much, 2) how often, 3) how long activities/services will be provided. For expanded project requests, distinguish between current and expanded activities/services.
10. What are the anticipated short-term and long-term measurable outcomes that would be achieved by this grant?
11. What is the timeline for implementing this grant?
12. What are the organization's most significant interactions with other organizations and initiatives? For project requests, address this question with respect to that project only.
(e.g., who are the other partners, what is your past experience collaborating with each organization, what is their role in this project, and what is their expertise, etc.?)
13. What other agencies or projects are doing similar work in the region and how are you different?
14. Who are the key staff members, board members, and/or volunteers who will ensure the success of the project/organization and what are their qualifications?
15. What staff, board, or volunteer training and professional development needs are required to implement this project, If any?
Please be specific (e.g. trainings on cultural competency, effective use of social media, or fundraising techniques).
16. How does this request fit within your organization's long-term goals? (We define long-term as the time-period beyond this grant). How does this project support your organization's implementation of its strategic plan?
17. What is your long-term funding plan once funding from this funder ends? (For project requests, address this question with respect to that project only).
18. Describe the extent to which your project/organization is based on evidence-based, best, or promising practices.

Required Attachments
1. Copy of the current IRS Letter of Determination indicating tax-exempt status.
2. List af current board of directors. Include the following information for each board member:
  - Professional affiliations (name of organization of employment and title)
  - ZIP code of residence (e.g. 63105, 63135)
3. If applicable: Letter of support from each collaborating organization that explains their role and Is signed by the top executive(s) of that organization.
4. If applicable: Memorandum of understanding or contract between the organization and the fiscal agent/fiscal sponsor.
5. Financials
  
  NOTE: financial statements are to be prepared according to generally accepted accounting procedures (GAAP)
  - Project budget (must use Excel CGA Project Budget template included as part of this application)
  - Internally prepared income statement for current fiscal year. (You may use Excel CGA Organizational Budget template included in this application or your own personal template).
    AND
    1. Complete copy of organization's audited/reviewed/compiled financial statements for the last fiscal year (which should include two (2) years of financial information}.
      OR
    2. Organization's most recently filed Form 990, plus internally prepared financial statements for the past two (2) years. Must include:
      - Statement of activities (income statement}
      - Statement of financial position {balance sheet}
      - Statement of cash flow
  - Additional Attachments: Individual grantmakers may choose to request additional attachments. Please check with the individual grantmaker.
6. Attachments
  Drop files here or
  
  Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 32 MB.
  Please upload any/all of the requested attachments using this upload field.
7. Please read the following statements and check both the boxes certifying that this application is complete according to the requirements set forth by the grantmaker.
  - I have reviewed the website or spoken with the grantmaker to whom I am submitting this application and have reviewed their mission, funding interests, process, and requirements to determine if my request is a funding fit.
  - I have included in this application any additional materials and attachments required by this funder.

GRANT APPLICATION

Step 1 of 7

Grant Application Cover Sheet

Executive Director

Main contact(s) for the proposal:

Board President

Reminder: Refer to the CGA User Guide for clarification and helpful tips.

Funding period requested:

Organization fiscal year:

Agreement

Reminder: Refer to the CGA User Guide for clarification and helpful tips.

SECTION A: ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

SECTION B: DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

SECTION C: DESCRIPTION OF COMMUNITY/CLIENT NEEDS & STRENGTHS

SECTION D: PROJECT INFORMATION

SECTION E: EVALUATION

SECTION F: BUDGET NARRATIVE JUSTIFICATION

SECTION G: CAPITAL CAMPAIGN REQUESTS

Required Attachments