Q. What are the eligibility requirements for a grant from The Columbia Foundation?
A. Nonprofit organizations recognized under Section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Service or other entities that meet IRS charitable guidelines and deliver services to Howard County residents. New organizations and previously funded organizations that have submitted a final report are eligible.
Q. Does the foundation have funding priorities?
A. Yes, we fund in the areas of human services, arts and culture, education, environment and community affairs.
Q. My organization does not have its tax exempt status yet, what can I do?
A. Organizations may apply for funding using another nonprofit’s 501c3 status. The sponsoring nonprofit must provide a copy of its tax determination letter, 990 form and financial statement. That nonprofit’s Board of Directors or CEO must certify and sign the application.
Q. How do I obtain a grant application?
A. Applications are available online at the Foundation’s website at www.columbiafoundation.org.
Q. Can individuals apply for funding?
A. Grants are not made to individuals, only to nonprofit organizations in Howard County.
Q. What are site visits?
A. Site visits may be conducted by a Grant Review Committee member, staff person or board member to learn more about your organization and/or get answers to items in your application that need additional clarification or explanation. Site visits may be conducted in person or by telephone.
Q. I have additional questions. Who can I contact?
A. You may call the office at 410-730-7840 or email info@columbiafoundation.org.
Community Grants Program
Q. Does The Columbia Foundation accept operational and project grant applications?
A. Yes, the application allows you to select either an operational or project grant for consideration.
Q. How do you define operational and project grants?
A. Operational grants are typically administrative or cover miscellaneous expenses of an organization. (Examples are: rent, utilities, supplies, salaries). Project grants could include innovative, community -based initiatives and partnerships that help enhance an organization’s mission. They may be one time or on-going in scope and are focused on a specific project/program within the organization. Operational grants may be used to cover any expenses necessary, while project grants are restricted to specific project/program support.
Q. What is the range of grants awarded?
A. Grants usually range in size from a few hundred dollars up to $15,000 and tend to average between $3,000-$5,000 dollars. The maximum amount for grant awards is $15,000.
Q. When are community grant applications accepted?
A. Community grant applications are due the first Friday of October each year by 5:00 pm. No late applications will be accepted. Please submit one electronic pdf copy and one paper copy to the Foundation.
Q. Does The Foundation support fundraisers?
A. Yes, if they support the organization’s mission and programs.
Q. Can an organization that my organization is collaborating with submit a separate application?
A. Yes, as long as it is for a different project or operational need.
Q. We do not have a local Howard County Board of Directors; what would be acceptable for the submission?
A. If your organization has an advisory or management committee that is based in Howard County; then we will accept those names and their contact information.
Q. I am filling out the organizational budget; however my projected budget is not yet completed. How do I enter the budget figures?
A. If your projected budget is not yet complete, enter your current budget figures in the projected column, enter your past actuals figures in the current budget column and enter your previous year’s budget in the past actuals column.
Q. My organization is part of a large national organization; does the foundation want to see the national organization’s budget or the local budget?
A. The Foundation wants to see the local budget.
Q. What percentage of budget changes is considered significant in an application?
A. The Grant Review Committee considers anything above 20% to be significant and encourages you to provide an explanation for the changes in your budget.
Q. I am trying to format my application and am having trouble. What can I do?
A. The application was created in a protected Word form. If you need to unprotect the form for formatting purposes do the following: For Word 2003, click on Unprotect Document on the Tools Menu. For Word 2007 click on Protect Document on the Review Menu, then click on Stop Protection under the Restrict Formatting & Editing section. Please refrain from modifying the application questions.
Q. Do I need to submit my electronic attachments as well as my application as pdfs?
A. Yes, please submit your application and all attachments as a pdf. If you do not have a pdf writer, you may download one for free at www.cutepdf.com.
Q. How are grant decisions made?
A. All applications are initially reviewed by program staff to ensure they have met all criteria for submission. Then, they are given to the Grant Review Committee for their review. The Committee determines if an application will receive a site visit, and makes funding recommendations. The Board of Trustees reviews the Grant Review Committee’s recommendation and makes the final decision.
Q. When are grant decisions made?
A. Grant decisions are made by the Board of Trustees in January. Grant funds will be available for distribution in March.
Q. If my organization does not receive a Community Grant, am I eligible to apply for a mini-grant?
A. Yes, you may receive either one community or mini-grant per calendar year.
Q. I have additional questions. Who can I contact?
A. You may call the office at 410-730-7840 or email info@columbiafoundation.org.
Mini-Grants Program
Q. Can my organization submit more than one mini-grant application per year?
A. Yes, but not within the same cycle. If you submit an application in one cycle and do not receive funding, you may submit another application the following cycle.
Q. I am trying to format my application and am having trouble. What can I do?
A. The application was created in a protected Word form. If you need to unprotect the form for formatting purposes do the following: For Word 2003, click on Unprotect Document on the Tools Menu. For Word 2007 click on Protect Document on the Review Menu, then click on Stop Protection under the Restrict Formatting & Editing section. Please refrain from modifying the application questions.
Q. Once I receive a mini-grant, how much time do I have to spend the grant money?
A. Grant money must be spent within one year of your award date.
Q. I have additional questions. Who can I contact?
A. You may call the office at 410-730-7840 or email info@columbiafoundation.org.