Introduction

The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region unifies the charitable gifts of individuals in order to provide leadership and financial leverage that addresses the current and future needs of our community,using grants designed to improve the quality of life in our region. We facilitate philanthropy within the counties of Caroline, King George, Stafford, Spotsylvania and the City of Fredericksburg.

In April 2010, the Trust created by Mr. Duff McDuff Green, Jr. established a fund at the Community Foundation intended to support – in a timeless way - the causes he cared so deeply about.Among Mr. Green's passions were preserving land and providing opportunities for children to pursue healthy outdoor activities.

Funding Eligibility

To qualify for a grant from the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund, applicants must be a formally organized tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

Funding Restrictions

In general, theDuff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund will not make grants for the following purposes:

  • Programs outside of Planning District 16
  • Capital building expenses
  • Fundraising events
  • Endowment funds
  • Lobbying

Funding Focus Areas

Proposals submitted to the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund should address oneof the following general focus areas.

  • Promoterecreation opportunities in the community.

This includes programs that seek ways to:increase recreation opportunities or access, build or improve recreation facilities, provide training or technical assistance which promotes increased physical activity and meaningful outdoor experiences. Recreation-related research, education and/or community needs assessment will be considered: for such proposals a compelling local need must be clearly demonstrated.

  • Benefit our region’s youth.

This includes proposals that aim to improve the quality of life for youth and the community in which they live. Applicants mayaddressone or more of the following: educational, athletic, academic, social, civic, and/or community-based initiatives, which involve or support children.

  • Advance local historic/cultural preservation.

Proposals in this category seek to preserve our community’s most significant and endangered cultural treasures.

Grants are available for preservation and/or conservation work on locally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and historic structures and sites. Intellectual and cultural artifacts include objects, collections, documents, sculpture, and works of art. Historic structures and sites include historic districts, lots, buildings, structures, and objects.

The Community Foundation’s stated organizational values reflect qualities that are found in the most promising grant proposals. These qualities are not used as the sole deciding factors, but proposals that demonstrate these qualities will be considered most competitive. Proposals that uphold the following values are preferred:

Stewardship. Projects that evidence the careful and responsible management of capital and human resources. These projects show sustainability, fiscal prudence and integrity.

Inspiration. Projects thatcreatively inspire collective effort and positive action. Such projects might include plans to disseminate information or challenge others to act.

Collaboration. Projects that foster and create productive partnerships and reduce redundancies.Signed letters of commitment among partners are one example of a best practice in collaborative work.

Vision. Projects that demonstrate visionary leadership. Such projects show commitment to responsibly accomplishing set goals and to achieving remarkable outcomes.

Accountability. Projects that measure and share with community stakeholders the impact that their efforts create in our communities. These proposals have a clear statement about what will constitute success for the project and how progress toward the stated goals will be measured.

Grant Review Process and Due dates

This Request for Proposals marks the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund’s fourth cycle of grantmaking.

Initialrequests should come in the form of atwo-page, single spaced Concept Paper that will serve as a brief preliminary communication regarding the proposed program. Applicants may later be invited to submit a full grant application, advancing to a further stage of review. Occasionally, the Community Foundation may award small grants upon review of the concept paper, without requesting further materials.

To be considered, Concept Papers must:

  • Include the Cover Sheet form, which is provided below.
  • Demonstrate a clear community need and show a stronglink between the need and the proposed program.
  • Describe the proposedprogramactivities and strategies and their expected impact, to include a general statement of the project timeframe.

The Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund does not offer parameters regarding the dollar amount of grant requests. Please submit a fiscally prudent proposal that allows you to achieve significant results.

Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fiscal Year 2014 Grant Cycle Timeline

July 22, 2013—An electronic copy of this Grant Application will be available at .

August 12, 2013—Concept Papers are due.Applications must be received in our office no later than 5:00 PM on the due date. After the deadline, concept papers will be returned.

September 30, 2013—Organizations whose Concept Papers areapproved by the Grants Committeewill be invited to submit a full Grant Application for further review. Additional guidelinesfor full grant applications will be provided at this time.

October 28, 2013—Full Grant Applications due.

As part of the review process, applicants may be asked to host one or more Community Foundation representatives for a brief site visit before final grant award decisions are made. Site visits will take place in November 2013.

Week of January 20, 2014—Applicants will be notified of their proposal outcomes.

If you have questions, or would like assistance with your concept paper or application, please contact Casey Hu or Lisa Biever at 540-373-9292 /.

Foundation staff may contact you if we have questions or need additional information about your proposal.

The Duff McDuff Green Fund of the

Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 208
Fredericksburg, VA 22404-0208 / Physical Address:
725 Jackson Street Suite 114
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

Applicant Check List:

Mandatory

  • Application meets eligibility requirements.
  • Application does not conflict with eligibility restrictions.
  • Proposal addresses one or more funding focus areas.
  • Application includes completed Cover Sheet.
  • Written Concept Paper narrative:
  • Is no more than two pages, single spaced.
  • Please do not staple/bind. Paperclips suffice.
  • Clearly and persuasively demonstrates a community need.
  • Thoroughly describes the project, to include expected impact, strategies used and general timeline.
  • Shows a clear link between the stated need and the proposed project.

Optional

Proposed project demonstrates compliance with Community Foundation values.

Applicants may attach 1 two-sided page of marketing/informational brochures, if deemed necessary.

Duff McDuff Green Fund Concept Paper

Cover Sheet

Organization Name:
Address:
Phone: / Fax:
E-mail:
Primary Contact
Name:
Signature:
Date:
Phone:
Mailing Address:
Physical Address, if different:
E-mail:
Federal Exempt (501 c 3) ID Number:
Project Title:
Amount Requested:
Briefly describe your organization or group (100 words or fewer)
Briefly describe the proposed project (100 words or fewer)