Home / News / Local News / Deadline For Letters Of Inquiry Nearing For Community Health Grant Proposals
Frank A. Douglass Insurance Agency

Deadline For Letters Of Inquiry Nearing For Community Health Grant Proposals

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
1. OVERVIEW
The Portage Health Foundation’s mission is to support the charitable health needs of the community through enhanced philanthropy and community collaboration. The Portage Health Foundation’s five pillars of emphasis guides meaningful investment in projects, programs, and services that meet the needs of the community and align with our mission of improving the health of residents in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.
The intention of these grants is to support projects that will have an impact on community health and wellness while addressing the systemic health needs and risk factors of the broader community. Further, it is hoped and desired that proposals seeking funding will have identified key components to support sustainability and/or systems change to ensure ongoing delivery of services to meet community need.
During the past few years, several requests have been made to support repairs, expansions, and upgrades to existing community recreational facilities throughout the four-county community. The Portage Health Foundation recognizes the important role these facilities play in our community’s ability to live an active health lifestyle and the overall contribution to quality of life for our citizenry. After much consideration, planning, and consultation with regional municipal leaders, the PHF Board of Directors has concluded to release funds over the next three years to support projects that will improve our recreational resources.
This call for proposals is specifically addressing Portage Health Foundation’s Community Health pillar. Community Health grants provide support for activities or opportunities that promote healthy lifestyles which improve the overall health of a community.
All Community Health grants must align with the Portage Health Foundation’s mission and in this call for proposal shall address Community Recreational Facilities and Resources.

2. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL SOLICITATION TIMELINE
January 8, 2018 RFP Publically Announced
February 5, 2018 3:30p ET Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Due*
March 16 , 2018 3:30pm ET Applications Due
April 6, 2018 Grant Awards to be announced

*although not required, LOI’s are strongly encouraged!
All application information and LOI’s forms can be found at www.phfgive.org/grants
3. ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible to apply for a grant under this program, the applicant must:
• Be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501c(3) non-profit organization; or a local unit of government.
• Be domiciled in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and/or Ontonagon counties of Michigan;
• Have a current certified financial audit and;
• Have at least 1 FTE.

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A GRANT, A PROPOSAL MUST:
⦁ mobilize strategies that will enhance, expand or create new recreational resources that encourage healthy physical activities;
⦁ Identify a clear path to long-term sustainability. Applicants must demonstrate how the grant activities will be sustained outside the grant period; and/or
⦁ Be part of the overall “recreation plan” developed by the community where the project will be located

APPLICATIONS EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The Portage Health Foundation will evaluate each application on the following criteria:
⦁ Does the proposal have goals/objectives that advance PHF’s mission?
⦁ Does the proposal identify an unmet community need/health risk?
⦁ Does the proposal have measureable goals and objectives?
⦁ Does the proposal have a budget that identifies and covers all necessary expenditures?
⦁ Does the proposal identify a plan for sustainability?
⦁ Is there potential to achieve significant long-term impact by implementing effective models or supporting needed innovation;
⦁ Does the proposal demonstrate collaboration, including leveraging of other resources; and
⦁ Does the proposal have the potential to be replicated in other settings, including opportunities for learning, knowledge dissemination, and to inform public-policy?
The Portage Health Foundation Grants Committee and the Board of Directors has sole responsibility for all grant decisions.
APPLICATIONS EXCLUDED FROM FUNDING CONSIDERATION:
⦁ Loans;
⦁ Litigation;
⦁ Lobbying activities;
⦁ Organizations that discriminate based on age, race, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender;
⦁ Proposals where granted funds will be used to maintain existing program(s) or solely fill a budget-gap for current services; and;
⦁ Individuals or families and for-profit entities

4. GRANT AMOUNT
The Portage Health Foundation expects to award up to $100,000.00 towards successful proposals under this round of funding. There is no minimum grant amount and the maximum amount awarded under this RFP will be $25,000.00.

5. APPLICATION PROCESS
Although not required, Portage Health Foundation strongly encourages all interested applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) prior to submitting a grant application. An LOI helps promote a clear understanding, collaboration, and project outcomes between PHF and grant applicants. Please approach the LOI as an abbreviated grant proposal that PHF can review to determine if a project matches our funding interests and is suitable for formal grant consideration. If an applicant has questions, they are encouraged to contact the PHF offices prior to formal submission of the application or refer the PHF’s FAQ section on PHF’s web page.
To help applicants better understand the process and have the opportunity to ask any questions prior to submission, PHF will be hosting an informational session relative to this call for proposal and the application process on Wednesday January 10th at the Portage Health Foundation Offices @ 12p ET. The session should last :45-60 min.
All interested parties intending to apply for funding support are encouraged to attend. Please visit PHF’s website (www.phfgive.org) to download an LOI and/or application.

Applications can be mailed to:
Portage Health Foundation
400 Quincy St. – PO Box 299
Hancock, MI 49930

Or submitted via email to:
info@phfgive.org

6. GRANTEE OBLIGATIONS
If awarded, applicants must agree to:
⦁ Identify the Portage Health Foundation (and partners if required) as the source of funding in any program communications;
⦁ Set specific outcomes for the proposed program, monitor progress toward achieving expected outcomes, and report progress on a regular basis to the Portage Health Foundation;
⦁ Participate in any data collection and evaluation activities conducted by the Portage Health Foundation and/or its partners; and
⦁ Participate in grantee gatherings and other activities that support dissemination of knowledge.

7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank all the community organizations and municipal leaders who have provided counsel, input, and patience as we have worked to develop this funding opportunity.

You make the difference. Together we make it possible.

Check Also

U.P. Community Health Town Hall Invites the BKG Shelter Home, Women’s Center in Marquette and Jenna Nelson to Discuss Domestic Violence

Throughout the year the U.P. Community Health Town Hall series discusses important topics that affect …

[sam id="3" codes="true"]