Impact Grant Eligibility Criteria and Guidelines

$100,000 Impact Grant

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants for the $100,000 Impact Grant must meet the following criteria to be nominated for a grant from IMPACT 100 Redwood Circle:

1. Be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or under the “fiscal sponsorship” of another exempt organization. Or be a program of a local government entity or an unendowed foundation developed to support a public entity. (for example, a public school foundation)
2. Be in operation for at least 36 months before applying for the Impact Grant.
3. Be non-discriminatory based on race, gender, sexual identification or orientation, spiritual beliefs, national origin, or immigration status.
4. Provide services in the geographic area and benefitting the residents of Sonoma County excluding Sonoma Valley (Kenwood to Schellville)
5. Expend 100% of funds awarded by Impact 100 Redwood Circle as described in the grant application.
6. Funds must be used within a 24-month period. The organization has up to 3 years to demonstrate the impact of the Grant. The monies will be distributed based on the proposal/program needs, with the organization determining the appropriate disbursal intervals.
7. Awardees of an Impact Grant may not apply for another Grant for 3 years but may apply thereafter. Awardees can apply for a Community Grant, however.

Grant Funds Support

• An existing project/proposal with specific analysis data and outcomes
• The expansion of an existing project/program
• Launching a new project/program
• Technology, both software and hardware, if it is integral to the proposed project or program.
• Grant can be used for the capital purchase, but only if it’s designated for a specific, measurable project/program under consideration for the Impact Grant.
• Funds may be designated for general operating expenses and overhead specific to the project being funded.

*A capital expenditure is for an asset that the owner intends to hold and derive benefit from for a period of one year or more, and the owner depreciates or amortizes over the asset’s expected life.

Grant Funds May Not Be Used in These Ways

• General operating expenses
• Debt reduction or operational deficits
• Grants to individuals
• Private foundations
• Endowment funding
• Interim or bridge funding
• Partisan, legislative, or political activity
• Fees paid to a grant writer or for fundraising activities
• Projects of religious organizations or bodies of worship
• Annual appeals or fundraising drives, activities, or events
• General capital campaigns unrelated to a specific project

Guidelines for Impact Grant

1. Applicants must indicate which focus area fits their proposal best.  Focus areas are   1) arts & culture, 2) environment/parks/sustainability/recreation, 3) education and 4) health/community betterment
2. The final proposal should include a time-bound budget with measurable goals.
3. Grant recipients must submit periodic progress reports and work with the Liaison Committee for the grant period’s duration.
4. Organizations awarded Impact Grants may not apply for the $100,000 Impact Grant for the following 3 years. However, an organization is eligible for a Grant if the organization received an Impact Grant within the last 3 years from Impact 100 Sonoma Valley.  Recipients of the Impact 100 RC Impact Grant may also apply for a Community Grant.
5. An organization may submit only one application each year.
6. Incomplete applications or missed deadlines will disqualify the application.
7. IMPACT 100 Redwood Circle reserves the right to change eligibility criteria at any time without prior notice.