Unitarian Church of Evanston Endowment Fund

Grant Application Form

Requests for grants from the Unitarian Church of Evanston Endowment Fund must be submitted electronically using this form. Additional information may be included on separate sheets of paper, as attachments. Requests should be sent to the Board of Trustees (BOT) for their review and approval. The President of the BOT will submit the request for funding to the Chair of the Endowment Committee.

The Endowment Fund is a source of support for special initiatives that further the mission and work of UCE. Like the roots that nourish and stabilize a tree, Endowment dollars strengthen our community and promote its health and vitality. The Trust Agreement outlines that funds are to be for special projects, and may not be used to fund the operating budget.

Process and Schedule: Please submit a copy of your application to the Chair of the Board of Trustees (2016/17 Term: Barbara Ghoshal, and a copy to the Chair of Endowment Committee: Carol Nielsen,

Please be aware that the Endowment Committee meets on the second Tuesday of the month, exceptin in June, July or December. The BOT meets on the third Wednesday of every month. Because the Board reviews the application first, then passes it on to the Endowment Committee, consideration of any application takes about a month.

The application is first considered by the BOT and then passed along to Endowment.

The Endowment Committee will review applications received from the Board of Trustees and notify applicants and the BOT as to whether the request is funded. Incomplete applications will be returned for additional information. All requests will be considered as long as they meet the criteria outlined in the Endowment Fund By-laws.

Funds will be dispersed as a check to UCE based on a bid or invoice that matches the amount of money requested for the project. If the project involves getting bids, the bids must be firm and the recommendedbid should be attached to the application. Applications that include estimated costs for large expenses (such as equipment, building projects, and rentals) will not be funded. A final accounting when the project is completed, along with supporting documents, will be provided by the person making the funding request.

If you have questions about the process, please contact the Chair of the Endowment Committee: Carol Nielsen, (2016/17 term)

Application Background
1.Date of application
2.Name of Committee, Council, Program, Task Force, or Staff Member making the request
3.Contact Information: Phone, Cell, and Email
4.Project Title or Description of Item
5.Project Duration (the whole project)
6.When will funds be required?
7.Is this an annual event or expense?
8.If the project is longer than 12 months, how will future costs of the project be met?
Project Summary
1.Describe the project
2.Outline the objective of the project.
3.Attach a budget for the whole project and indicate what funds are being requested from the Endowment. / See Sample Budget Request template below
4.If the project is ongoing and has more than one component, provide a short summary calendar of what events will occur in what month
5.How will this project help fulfill the mission of the Unitarian Church of Evanston?
6.Who will be responsible for writing a brief summary after your project is complete?

Agreement

I/We agree that awarded grant money from the Endowment Fund these funds will be utilized only for the purpose outlined in the application submitted. If the approved project does not begin as outlined in the projected calendar or if it does not require the entire amount granted, I/We agree to inform the Endowment Committee of the change in the timing of the project and/or the budget. It is important to notify the Endowment Committee so that funds are available as planned. I/We agree to acknowledge the Endowment Committee’s provision of funding for this project on printed materials, at the beginning of programs, films, etc. I/We agree to acknowledge the Endowment Committee’s provision of funding for this project on printed materials, at the beginning of programs, films, etc.

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Typed Signature of Applicant TypedDate

Please scan application and send by email as an attachment. We need to be able to share it with the Board and Endowment Committee members.

Sample Budget Request Template

Project Title: Racial Equity Work
Budget category / Amount / Description and Comments
YWCA lead centerpiece workshop / $6700 / YWCA to lead the fall workshop
Endowment Fund Request
Forums and Other Collaborative Events / $750 / These will occur in the spring and expenses will be for supplies and food
Supplies and Printing / $500 / Endowment Fund Request
Advertising / $300 / Endowment Fund Request
Food for the YWCA workshop / $1700 / To be funded by the Community Action Fund
Workbooks for each participant / $500 / To be funded by participants
Film screenings—2 per year / $700 / To be funded by Peace and Justice Committee
Honorarium for Panel Discussion Following Film Screenings / $450 / 3 people at each Panel following the two films--$75 to each person’s organization—Endowment Fund Request
Total Budget for Racial Equity Work / $11,600
Total Amount Requested from the Endowment Fund / $7950

Sample Calendar for Project

YWCA Workshop / October
Film Screenings / January and March
Panel Discussion Following Film Screenings / January and March
Collaborative Events with other groups in Evanston / December, February, April

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