STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ENGAGEMENTS What’s so new about LeadWell? Didn’t the Community Foundation rollout a series of LeadWell projects in January 2007?
What’s a change agent model?
What’s a “tipping point opportunity?”
Why is the Community Foundation only pursuing two Strategic Initiatives?
How will the Community Foundation identify strategies to address each Strategic Initiative?
What criteria did the Community Foundation utilize to identify its Strategic Initiatives?
When will the Community Foundation announce its strategies to address each Strategic Initiative?
Will the Community Foundation accept project proposals for its Strategic Initiatives?
How will you determine whether the Strategic Initiative engagements are successful? COMPETITIVE FUNDS
What's the best way to make initial contact with the Community Foundation?
How often do you consider grant proposals for competitive funds?
Who decides whether to fund competitive grant proposals?
To whom should proposals for competitive funds be addressed?
Will the Community Foundation consider multi-year funding through its competitive funds?
Can multiple program within a consortium or umbrella organization apply in the same grant cycle using the same 501(c)(3) registration document?
My organization doesn't meet all of the requirements as outlined in the competitive grant guidelines. May we still apply?
Will the Community Foundation accept proposals from organizations that are not registered with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations?
Do competitive grant guidelines ever change?
Should hard copy documents be submitted with my organization's proposal? Are these documents required?
How will I know whether you received a proposal from our organization?
How and when will I know whether my organization has received a grant?
The Community Foundation declined to fund our proposal. Will we be able to submit the same proposal the following year?
What are the responsibilities of grantee organizations?
Does the Community Foundation want to be included on our organization's mailing list? STRATEGIC INITIATIVE ENGAGEMENTS What’s so new about LeadWell? Didn’t the Community Foundation rollout a series of LeadWell projects in January 2007?
LeadWell -- a collaborative initiative of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, nonprofit leaders and community partners -- empowers executive directors to lead more successful, more stable nonprofit organizations by increasing access to a broad range of learning and networking opportunities, information and resources.
In January 2007, the Community Foundation introduced the first phase of LeadWell, which includes two new projects in partnership with Millersville University and the Lancaster Public Library, as well as the Management and Organizational Development (MOD) Grant fund at the Lancaster County Community Foundation.
Utilizing our new Strategic Initiative model, the Community Foundation will begin to plan for a second phase of LeadWell in late 2007. The new LeadWell Strategic Initiative committee will have the option of working within the parameters of the existing LeadWell goal statement or creating a new goal statement that addresses current opportunities in the nonprofit sector. Return to Top What’s a change agent model?
The Community Foundation is a change agent that identifies and acts on opportunities to improve Lancaster County in profound and impactful ways.
The change agent model indicates the following for the Lancaster County Community Foundation: - We engage in “transformational philanthropy” by seeking out and acting on opportunities rather than addressing problems or needs
- We serve as a catalyst and facilitator to identify and act on opportunities
- Our approach is always highly collaborative and defined by community stakeholders; at no time do we own a Strategic Initiative
- We define our commitment as support, voice, resources, expertise, partners, knowledge, and access
- We are committed to knowledge sharing
Return to Top What’s a “tipping point opportunity?”
“The theory of tipping points hinges on the insight that . . . fundamental changes can occur quickly when the beliefs and energies of a critical mass of people create an epidemic movement toward an idea.”
“The theory of tipping points . . . is well known: it hinges on the insight that . . . once the beliefs and energies of a critical mass of people are engaged, conversion to a new idea will spread like an epidemic, bringing about fundamental change very quickly. The theory suggests that such a movement can be unleashed only by agents who make unforgettable and unarguable calls for change, who concentrate their resources on what really matters, who mobilize the commitment of . . . key players, and who succeed in silencing the most vocal naysayer’s.”
W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne, “Tipping Point Leadership.” Harvard Business Review on Leading Through Change. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 2006. 19-44. To determine our current Strategic Initiatives, the Community Foundation’s board of directors utilized these “tipping point” indicators: - The right people are willing to come to the table because they are “ready”
- The engagement can achieve critical mass due to recognized importance
- Sufficient research has been conducted and is accepted
- There is recognition and a voicing by the necessary stakeholders and/or publics
- Greater impact with the same or fewer resources can be achieved
Return to Top Why is the Community Foundation only pursuing two Strategic Initiatives?
Our human and financial resources are limited and we seek to have a tremendous impact - Substantial financial resources will be required in order for the Community Foundation to have a profound, long-term impact on our Strategic Initiatives
- Significant staff time will be required to facilitate the planning process for the Strategic Initiatives and to implement related action steps
Return to Top How will the Community Foundation identify strategies to address each Strategic Initiative?
The Community Foundation will convene two Strategic Initiative Advisory Committees composed of approximately 10-12 community representatives for each of our Strategic Initiatives. The committees will be responsible for identifying tipping point opportunities and developing a goal statement and logic model that identifies appropriate opportunities for the Community Foundation to meet its objectives. Return to Top What criteria did the Community Foundation utilize to identify its Strategic Initiatives?
In 2006, the Community Foundation's board of directors created a committee composed of members of our board and community volunteers to explore opportunities to create extraordinary community utilizing our new Strategic Initiative model. The board provided Strategic Initiative Criteria to assist the committee in identifying potential opportunities for collaboration. Over the course of several months, the committee met with a series of community leaders to discuss issues and trends affecting our quality of life. At the conclusion of those meetings, the committee unanimously voted to recommend that our board consider strategic initiatives in the arts as well as pursue opportunities to build on the success of our existing initiative to increase the capacity for excellence of the nonprofit sector through a second phase of LeadWell. Return to Top When will the Community Foundation announce strategies to address each Strategic Initiative?
The Community Foundation will announce strategies for its Strategic Initiative in early 2008 and the second phase of LeadWell in mid-to-late 2008 or early 2009. Return to Top Will the Community Foundation accept project proposals for its Strategic Initiatives?
While competitive grantmaking fund(s) may be recommended for implementation as a tool to meet the objectives identified by the Strategic Initiative committee, we have no plans to offer grants associated with our Strategic Initiative during the planning phase. The Community Foundation will continue to offer grants to eligible nonprofit organizations through our competitive funds, including our new LeadWell Management & Organizational Development (MOD) Grant program. Return to Top How will you determine whether your Strategic Initiative engagements are successful?
The Community Foundation has formed a Community Engagement Committee that will be responsible for monitoring the performance of our Strategic Initiative to ensure that they remain consistent with the objectives outlined in goal statements and logic models for each initiative. The committee will regularly update the Community Foundation’s board of directors on the foundation's success in creating extraordinary community through our Strategic Initiatives and competitive grantmaking. Return to Top
COMPETITIVE FUNDS
What's the best way to make initial contact with the Community Foundation?
If you represent a new organization in the community, an organization that hasn't applied to the Lancaster County Community Foundation in the past, or you're a new executive director, development director or grant writer, call or e-mail Shanon Solava-Reid, Program Director, to introduce yourself.
Depending on the situation, Shanon Solava-Reid, our Program Director, may want to schedule a time to visit to learn more about your organization’s mission. Return to Top How often do you consider proposals for competitive funds?
The Community Foundations awards competitive grants once a year. The grant cycle typically begins in the summer and ends in the fall. Please refer to the grant cycle timeline on the Community Investment page for dates of an upcoming grant cycle. Please note that all dates are subject to change. Return to Top Who decides whether a proposal for competitive funds will receive a grant?
Since 1924, the Lancaster County Community Foundation has been the living legacy of hundreds of local donors who have entrusted us with their assets. The Community Foundation creates extraordinary community, in part, by funding projects that are likely to significantly increase the quality of life of residents and to build social capital.
For this reason, and because grant requests typically exceed the funds that we have available to grant, the Community Foundation strongly believes in the judicious evaluation of funding proposals through a competitive process.
The Community Foundation staff, community volunteers, and ultimately, our Board of Directors, evaluate proposals thoroughly before determining the projects that we feel are most likely to meet our mission. Return to Top To whom should proposals be addressed?
Proposals must be submitted via email to proposals@LancasterCountyFoundation.org. Return to Top Will the Community Foundation consider multi-year funding through its competitive funds?
All competitive grants must be completed within 12-months of the date of the award announcement. Return to Top Can multiple programs within a consortium or umbrella organization apply in the same grant cycle using the same 501(c)(3) registration document?
Yes. Organizations with multiple programs may apply to multiple competitive funds as long as they meet the Community Foundation's funding criteria. Please review Competitive Grant Guidelines and the criteria for each fund to determine the fund that aligns best with your program. A proposal for the same program cannot be submitted to multiple funds. Return to Top My organization doesn't meet all of the requirements as outlined in the Competitive Grant Guidelines. May we still apply?
The easiest way to determine whether your organization or project is eligible for funds is to contact Shanon Solava-Reid, Program Manager, prior to beginning the proposal. Return to Top Will the Community Foundation accept proposals from organizations that are not registered with the PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations?
Pennsylvania law requires that charitable organizations that are eligible for Community Foundation funds register with the Bureau of Charitable Organizations, an agency under the jurisdiction of the Department of State.
In accordance with state law, the Community Foundation requires that all applicant organizations register with the Bureau. Additional information is available at the Pennsylvania Department of State. Please do not contact the Community Foundation for information about Bureau policy or registration. Return to Top Do grant guidelines ever change?
The Lancaster County Community Foundation was designed to evolve in step with the community. Changes in the needs and opportunities available to residents influence the Community Foundation's competitive grant guidelines and social change efforts, just as technological innovations can lead to revisions in the Community Foundation's proposal process.
The Community Foundation will utilize various communications tools, such as our website and e-mail, to update the community on the evolution of our organization. These tools present the simplest and most convenient opportunities for interested parties to stay abreast of changes at the Community Foundation. Return to Top Should I send any printed documents with my organization's proposal? Are these documents required?
Yes, applicant organizations are required to submit a printed copy of their 501 (c)(3) certificate, a PA Bureau of Charitable Organizations registration form, their most recent audited financial statement, current fiscal year budget and current board of directors roster no later than the due date of the proposal unless otherwise noted on our website. Please note that the proposal itself will only be accepted if it is submitted via email. Organizations that apply for a MOD Grant for a professional consultant(s) should submit an electronic or hard copy version of the consultant's resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to the Community Foundation no later than the due date for the proposal. The Community Foundation will not consider a proposal that is not accompanied by all of the required documents. Return to Top How will I know whether you received a proposal from my organization?
Within 24 hours of submitting a proposal, applicant organizations will receive a receipt via e-mail to verify that their proposal has been received by the Community Foundation. If an organization does not receive an e-mail receipt within 24 hours, please contact Shanon Solava-Reid - (717) 397-1629. Return to Top How and when will I know whether my organization has received a grant?
Applicants will be contacted by mail. Please see the most up-to-date Grant Cycle Timeline (Grant Cycle Dates) for additional information. Return to Top The Community Foundation declined to fund our proposal. Will we be able to submit the same proposal the following year?
A variety of factors including the number of grant proposals that we receive and the competition in a given grant cycle can effect whether a proposal receives a grant. Organizations that wish to re-submit a proposal that was declined in a prior funding cycle must contact Shanon Solava-Reid, Program Manager, prior to re-submitting the proposal. Return to Top What are the responsibilities of grantee organizations?
In order to be effective stewards of the community’s trust, the Community Foundation requires grantee organizations to implement projects in a manner that is consistent with the original proposal of the grant and regularly report on their project through the steps outlined in our Policies & Procedures. All grantees must submit the required reports and invoices to successfully complete a grant. Return to Top Does the Community Foundation want to be included on our organization's mailing list?
Nonprofit organizations based in Lancaster County should feel free to add Shanon Solava Reid, Program Director, to their organization's mailing list. Return to Top | 
