I. Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants Background
Since 1998, the Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants (Michigan’s VIG) have supported the volunteer infrastructure by increasing the capacity of organizations so that they are better equipped to mobilize volunteers. Volunteers are essential ingredients to the health and vitality of our communities and act as critical problem-solving resources to communities. According to the April 2007 Volunteering in America report by the Corporation for National and Community Service, nearly one-third of volunteers who served in 2005 did not volunteer the following year. This represents an estimated annual loss to nonprofits of approximately $30 billion dollars worth of volunteer service. The Michigan’s VIG is designed to stimulate innovative strategies that increase and sustain strong volunteer initiatives.
II. 2007-2008 Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants Overview
A. Purpose of the Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants
The purpose of this funding is to encourage organizations to employ innovative and sustainable strategies that better mobilize volunteers and maximize the impact they make on community issues. As a part of the Michigan Community Service Commission’s 2007-2008 Blueprint for Action and national priorities for service, three focus areas have been established for the 2008 Michigan’s VIG:
Mentoring - ensure that all of our youth have ongoing relationships with stable, caring individuals.
Boomers – capture the talents, skills, energy and experience of adult volunteers born between 1946 and 1964.
Engaging All Youth in Service – increase volunteer and service-learning opportunities for youth in disadvantaged circumstances.
Applicants must address at least one of these areas.
B. Goals of the Michigan’s VIG.
Funding must:
§ Increase the organization’s ability to more effectively engage volunteers.
§ Increase the number of volunteers and the number of services provided to those in need.
§ Facilitate and enhance community partnerships that support volunteerism.
§ Employ innovative methods to sustain the proposed volunteer activities.
C. Funds Available and Grant Size
Up to $200,000 is available for grants. Applicants may apply for a maximum of $20,000. The grant period runs from March 1, 2008 – September 30, 2008. Continuation funding is dependant on performance on stated goals and the continued availability of State of Michigan funding for this program.
D. Match Requirements
Michigan’s VIG applicants must provide a $1-to $1 local match. The match funds may be cash or in-kind but may not include match from other MCSC funded initiatives or State of Michigan General Funds.
E. Eligible Applicants
Public and private nonprofit organizations, such as mentoring organizations, Volunteer Centers, senior centers, schools, colleges/universities, and MSU Extension Offices may apply. Successful applicants must demonstrate an existing commitment to volunteerism, an organizational commitment to the proposed initiative, strong financial management systems and no less than three years experience serving the clientele to be served by this proposal.
III. 2007-2008 Michigan’s VIG Grant Requirements
A. Financial Management and Grant Administration Requirements
It is the responsibility of all grantees to ensure appropriate stewardship of state funds entrusted to them. All grantees must maintain financial management systems that provide accurate, complete, and current disclosure of the financial results of the program. To meet this requirement, grantees must have adequate accounting practices and procedures, internal controls, audit trails, and cost allocation procedures. Underthe Single Audit Act and OMB Circular A-133,all organizations are requiredto have financial audits if they annually expend $500,000 or more of federal funds, regardless of source.
B. Program Monitoring Responsibilities
Michigan’s VIG recipients are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the grant activities to assure they are in compliance with applicable requirements and achieve their performance goals. At least one staff member should be identified to coordinate the proposed program. Monitoring must include each project site, function and/or activity. Programs are responsible for ensuring high quality standards including: having a significant impact on the identified community need, ensuring participants complete activities in the appropriate time frame, ensuring that participants are not performing prohibited activities, and ensuring that activities are consistent with the purpose and goals described in the approved application.
C. Reporting Requirements
Michigan’s VIG recipients must submit three narrative progress reports and three financial reports. The first reports are due June 15, 2008. The second reports are due September 15, 2008. A final program summary and a final financial report are due November 30, 2008.
D. Michigan’s VIG Grantee Meeting
A minimum of two representatives must participate in one grantee meeting and one toll-free conference call. A calendar of meeting dates will be provided at the start of the grant year.
E. MCSC Trainings and Special Events
Michigan’s VIG grantees are encouraged to participate in other MCSC training activities and special events. This includes, but is not limited to, participation in state and local trainings, the Governor’s Service Awards, and national days of service.
F. Email Capability
Michigan’s VIG grantees are required to have email capability and will be required to subscribe to the Michigan’s VIG email listserv.
G. Evaluation Requirements
All grant recipients are required to conduct ongoing evaluation in order to assess program performance and to continually improve program quality. In addition, programs must agree to participate in all MCSC research and evaluation efforts.
H. Prohibited Activities
Activities funded under the Michigan’s VIG may not include:
· Providing religious instruction, conducting worship services or engaging in any form of proselytizing;
· Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing;
· Financing, directly or indirectly, any activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office; or
· Impairing existing contracts for service or collective bargaining agreements.
· Funds may not be used to pay for out-of-state travel.
IV. Application Process
A. Technical Assistance Calls
All potential applicants are encouraged to participate in one of two scheduled toll-free technical assistance conference calls. During these calls, MCSC staff will provide a detailed overview of the goals of the grant and will provide applicants with tips for completing the application process. Use the Technical Assistance Registration form included in the Appendix to register for one of the calls. Notes from the technical assistance calls will be posted on the MCSC web site
(http://michigan.gov/mcsc).
B. Intent To Apply Form
Potential applicants are required to submit Intent to Apply form. The Intent to Apply indicates an applicant’s interest in applying and allows staff to adequately prepare for the peer review process. The Intent to Apply Form is due no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 18, 2007. The form may be mailed or faxed. Submitting this form does not obligate you to complete the application process.
C. Application Narrative
The Michigan’s VIG application must follow the order outlined in the instructions. The application must not exceed the page limitations specified for each section. The pages of the narrative section must be numbered. The application must be typed, double-spaced, single-sided with one-inch margins and 12-point font. The title page, program summary, budget form, budget narrative, application submission compliance checklist, audit and letters of support are not included in the narrative page limitation. An unstapled original and five stapled copies of the application must be submitted. Only one copy of the audit is required.
Michigan’s VIG applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2008 at:
Michigan Community Service Commission
1048 Pierpont Drive, Suite 4
Lansing, Michigan 48913.
Applications may be mailed or hand-delivered. Facsimiles and electronic submissions will not be accepted. All application packages must contain the following:
1. Title Page (One page)
Complete the form located in the Appendix. THIS FORM MUST BE SIGNED. The original copy must have an original signature.
2. Program Summary (One page. Not to exceed 250 words)
Provide a concise overview of the proposed program that summarizes the purposes, need, planned activities to address the need, anticipated outcomes, and how the outcomes will be measured. Be succinct and as comprehensive as possible within the word limitations. Include summary of the program design and the expected impact of the program. The program design should, at a minimum, summarize how the program will achieve the expected goals.
3. 2008 Program Narrative (Not to exceed fifteen pages)
The program narrative should address the statements and questions listed below. The questions are intended as a guide in writing the proposal. Respond to all of the questions but do not feel limited in responses. Information that is not specifically requested may be provided. In writing the program narrative, refer to the purpose and goals of the Michigan’s VIG outlined in Section I. The narrative must be organized in the same format as the Grant Narrative Questions Section that follows.
a. Background (25%)
· Please describe the mission and or vision of your organization.
· When was your organization created and when did you begin serving the needs to be addressed in this application?
· Please describe the current volunteerism efforts in your agency and how volunteers have helped meet the organizational mission. How long have the volunteer initiatives been in place?
· How many volunteers are currently recruited, placed and retained on an annual basis?
· If you are a previous recipient of Michigan’s VIG funds, please include your success in accomplishing your programmatic objectives. Include the current balance of your agency endowment.
b. Rationale (25%)
· Please describe which focus area(s) will be addressed by the proposed strategies. Reference the data you consulted showing that this is a compelling need that can be addressed by additional volunteer services.
c. Program Design (30%)
· Please describe the proposed goals and activities and the outcomes you expect. The outcomes must be measurable.
· Describe how the proposed strategies are innovative and the rationale for selecting them.
· List the other organizations (e.g. nonprofit, governmental, educational, faith-based, business) with which your organization will partner to recruit and place volunteers. Describe the partner’s role in implementing the proposed strategies.
d. Organizational Capacity (20%)
· Describe the organization’s current capacity to operate or coordinate the proposed strategies.
· Please describe what support exists within your organization for the proposed strategies.
· Include the background, experience and relevant accomplishments of the principal staff involved in the proposed program. Indicate the percentage of time this staff person will spend on the proposed program.
· Please describe how you will meet the financial match requirements.
· Describe how the proposed activities will be continued beyond the grant term.
4. Budget Form and Budget Narrative. Please complete the budget form and budget narrative included in the appendix. The budget narrative must include the details of how you arrived at the budget figures.
5. Most Recent Audit. Applicants must submit one copy of their most recent independent audit including financial schedules.
6. Letters of Support. Please provide a minimum of three letters of support from community stakeholders who can verify that this proposal is in line with your organization mission and demonstrate their support for the proposed work.
7. Application Submission Compliance Checklist. Applicants should complete and submit, with their Michigan’s VIG application, the checklist located in the Appendix. Please review the checklist to ensure that your application meets the submission requirements. Each application will be reviewed for compliance.
V. Selection Process
A. Review and Selection
The review and selection of the Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants applications is a multiple-step process as described below.
1. Interested applicants must submit an Intent to Apply Form by 5:00 p.m. on January 18, 2007.
2. Applicants must submit a complete application package as described in Section III by 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2008.
3. A panel of peer reviewers will read and score each application on February 11, 2008. The specific information that will be evaluated corresponds to the information detailed in the application guidelines above.
4. The MCSC staff will evaluate applications that the peer review teams recommend for further review on February 13, 2008.
3. Based on the peer and staff review, applicants may be asked to respond to reviewer feedback. The revisions are due to the MCSC no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 22, 2008. The MCSC staff will review the application revisions.
4. The MCSC staff will submit the recommended Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants applications to the MCSC Board for approval on February 29, 2008.
5. Grant start date is March 1, 2008.
B. Criteria
The Michigan’s VIG applications will be evaluated on the quality of the content according to the general categories and relative weights listed below.
Background (25%)
Rationale (25%)
Program Design (30%)
Organizational Capacity (20%)
Michigan’s Volunteer Investment Grants
Training and Technical Assistance Registration
Please complete this registration form to participate in an informational conference call. The call is toll free.
Name:
Organization:
Address:
City: Zip code:
Phone: Fax: Email:
Website:
I will participate in the following call (select one)
Tuesday, January 8, 2007 at 10:00 a.m.
Please return this form by mail, email or fax by January 7, 2008 to:
Tara Gilman
Michigan Community Service Commission
1048 Pierpont, Suite 4
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Phone: (517) 335-4295
Fax: (517) 373-4977
Date of Submission:
1. Legal Applicant
Name of Applicant Organization:
Contact Person: Title:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Phone: Fax: Email:
2. EIN/Federal Identification Number:
3. Michigan and US Congressional Districts:
Michigan Senate District of area served:
Michigan House District of area served:
US Congressional District of area served:
4. County/counties served by this Michigan’s VIG:
______
5. Budget:
MCSC Share Requested: Grantee Share:
Total Budget:
6. Certification:
The applicant certifies to the best of his/her knowledge and belief that the data in this application are true and correct and that the filling of the application has been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant.
Name: Signature:
Title: Date:
Date Submitted: q Original q Revision:
(Date of Revision)
Applicant Organization:
A. Staff
/ MCSC Share / Grantee Share / TotalSalaries
Benefits
Other
Subtotal A
B. Operational
TravelTransportation
Professional Development
Supplies/Materials
Printing/Mailing
Subtotal B
C. Other
Subtotal C
D. Administration
(5% cap)E. Total
The applicant is required to provide a $1 for $1 match. The match funds may be cash or in-kind. Match funds may not come from State General Funds or other MCSC funds.