2013 Competitive Grant Guidelines
The Community Foundation uses a competitive grant process to award grants from its Field of
Interest and Unrestricted funds. This is the only competitive grant cycle scheduled for 2013.
Information and guidelines about the competitive grant process are outlined below. If there are
questions, call Jennifer Masson at our office at 321.752.5505.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Community Foundation for Brevard welcomes and encourages grant applications from tax-exempt,
nonprofit organizations that address one or more of the following broad categories:
 Animal Welfare
 Arts & Culture
 Conservation & the Environment
 Education Support
 Housing, Food, and other basic needs
 Health & Wellness (including recreational initiatives)
 Adult and Family Services
 Pervasive Disease Research for cure
 Organizational Capacity, Civic Engagement, Community Development
For grant applications proposing Alzheimer’s and other Pervasive Disease Cure Research, a Brevard
presence preferred.
Generally, competitive grant awards will not be made for the following:
 Endowments or debt reduction
 Normal administrative operational support
 Annual fundraising or capital campaign
 Event sponsorships and advertising
 Sectarian purposes, except nonsectarian educational, health, or human service projects
undertaken by faith-based organizations.
 Clubs, sports teams, cemeteries, or other services limited to a select membership.
 Political activities
 Purposes or services outside of Brevard County
 Public agencies for mandated services
 Scholarships or individual grants or awards
Applicants should be aware that grants for the cost of trips and/or conference attendance are not
typically viewed as a committee priority.
If funded, the organization agrees to submit a final report and project financial summary within the
amount of time specified in the award letter. Organizations with outstanding final reports will not be
considered (excludes current grants with reports not yet due).
Eligible Organizations
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Nonprofit organizations with offices in Brevard County; legally chartered and registered in the State
of Florida and in possession of a determination letter from the IRS declaring the organization a public
charity, exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3).
1361 Bedford Drive, Suite 102, Melbourne, FL 32940 Ph - 321.752.5505
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2013 Competitive Grant Guidelines
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Organizations that are entities of government (i.e. schools, libraries, etc.). Note: All entities must have
governing board approval to apply. Grant awards will require board chair signature on the grant
agreement.
Ineligible Organizations
Nonprofit organizations that do not directly benefit Brevard County residents
Private Foundations
Re-granting Organizations
GENERAL CRITERIA FOR SUBMITTING A REQUEST
All applications must be complete to be further reviewed by the Grant Committee and its review teams. A
complete application consists of:
 ONE completed online application (all questions answered) including all required uploaded
documents, submitted on or before the deadline February 5, 2013. Late and incomplete applications
will be disqualified from further consideration. The application must be completed on-line. If
technical support is needed, please contact our office.
The CFB will check to ensure that final reports have been submitted from CFB grants awarded in the
previous calendar year.
Attachments to upload with your proposal (and when not needed):
 IRS letter with tax exemption ruling
o Unless listed on ConnectBrevard.org or a school or government entity. Applicants must be
qualified to receive tax deductible contributions as defined by the IRS – generally a 501(c)(3)
public charity tax status.
 Current Board of Directors/Officers and professional affiliation (if in workforce)
o Unless updated on ConnectBrevard.org.
 Copy of the letter from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services indicating
Compliance with the registration requirements of Chapter 496, Florida Statutes, the Solicitation of
Contributions Act.
o Unless exempt. If unsure, check with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services
 Copy of most recent independent audit, review or compilation and management letter.
o If no independent audit, review, or compilation; then evidence that Board of Directors has
conducted an internal financial review.
 Articles of Incorporation and bylaws
o Unless current articles and bylaws are already on file with the Community Foundation.
 Current financial statements for current fiscal year through no earlier than September 30, 2012
(include statement of financial position – assets and liabilities as well as statement of activities –
income and expenses). (Note: This is not the organization’s budget)
 Most recent IRS Form 990
o Unless already available on ConnectBrevard.org.
1361 Bedford Drive, Suite 102, Melbourne, FL 32940 Ph - 321.752.5505
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2013 Competitive Grant Guidelines
ON-LINE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Go to www.wizehive.com/apps/brevard2013 Sign up with an email and password. This is the only log-in
name and password that can access the application. Note: If more than one person will be completing and
reviewing the on-line application, then use a log-in name and password that all users can use.
Special notes:
Enter a response to all questions.
Amount requested: It is strongly recommended that the amount requested not exceed $5,000. Applicants
who request more than $5,000 risk not being recommended for funding.
Grant Application category – check the category that best describes the nature of the proposed project or
the nature of work that will be accomplished as a result of the grant.
COMPETITIVE GRANT REVIEW PROCESS
Upon submitting a complete application, it will be reviewed and scored by a Grant Review Team
comprised of community leaders. Scores and reviewer comments are then submitted to the CFB Grant
Committee for final review and award recommendations to the Board of Directors. The grant review
process is competitive – there are always more funding requests than available funding. The Foundation
gives highest priority (and scores) to proposals that reflect evidence of the following:
Organizational Capacity: The stability of the organization and commitment of its leaders as reflected
in its years of operation, past performance, financial reports, diverse and invested board members, and
staff stability.
Proposed Program/Grant Use: The proposed grant has a clear goal that is consistent with the
organization’s mission; puts focus on lasting solutions to address a problem, need, or interest that
enhances the quality of life in the County. The organization includes a plan to evaluate and learn from
the outcomes or results of the grant.
Efficiency & Collaboration: The proposed grant:
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Maximizes the use of volunteers and collaborates with other organizations in program execution
(minimizing duplication of existing programs and resources);
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Demonstrates cost sensitivity and efficiency in budget planning; including in-kind contributions.
Additionally, the Grant Committee honors donor intent in grant awards; will consider the number served
by the proposed grant or the increased organizational capacity enabled by the grant; geographic area(s)
served by all grants; and community needs and priorities.
The Grant Committee will recommend awards to the Board of Directors by May 3, 2013 and grant
recipients will be notified of award thereafter. Based on available funds, some grant applications may be
approved, but not funded or only partially funded. In such cases, the CFB will inform Fund Advisors of the
opportunities and needs.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION - DEADLINE
Grant applications must be completed online by February 5, 2013. Other documents should be
uploaded by February 5, as well. If necessary, these additional documents may be hand-delivered or
mailed and postmarked no later than February 5.
1361 Bedford Drive, Suite 102, Melbourne, FL 32940 Ph - 321.752.5505
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