ADVISORY NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSION 1B

 

POLICIES GOVERNING GRANTS

TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

 

By law, Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1B may give grants to community groups or organizations for the benefit of the general public.  The following policies, terms and conditions shall govern the review and approval of applicants, and the administration and monitoring of approved grants:

 

  1. Community groups are not required to be incorporated as non-profit organizations to receive grants.

 

  1. Grants shall be approved for a public purpose, defined in D.C. law as “an activity which serves as a benefit to the community as a whole, and which at the same time is directly related to the functions of government;” grant expenditures must confer “a direct public benefit of a reasonably general character: that is to say, to a significant part of the public, as distinguished from a remote and theoretical benefit.”

 

  1. Grants requested shall not equal more than 15% of the entire budget of the project, or Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), whichever is greater.

 

3.a  An organization may apply for a grant two times per year, according to the need of the  organization.  However, the total amount of both applications shall not exceed a maximum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).

 

  1. Grant applicants must demonstrate other sources of income, whether it be financial sponsorship, in-kind contributions, ticket sales, or similar.

 

  1. Grant funds cannot be used to support programs or activities that “duplicate already available programs and services.”

 

  1. Grants shall benefit “persons who reside or work within the Commission area.”  Applicants should serve ANC 1B directly, whether they are based in the Commission area or focus their efforts on 1B residents primarily with their project.

 

  1. Grants shall not be made to individual persons, only to community organizations.  Applicants and organizations cannot profit from the project being awarded.

 

  1. Grants cannot be made directly to public schools or to conduct programs on a contractual basis with existing government agencies

 

  1. Grant funds may not be used for partisan political activities, to purchase meals or food, or to pay for entertainment.  Grant funds may not be used to support block parties.

 

  1. Grant applications must be reviewed by and applicants must meet with the Grants Committee before grants can be considered by the full Commission.  The Grants Committee will recommend action to the Commission based upon its review of applications.

 

  1.  Grant applications must be received by the Staff Director no later than the 15th of the month prior to the meeting of the Commission at which the application will be considered.  The Staff Director shall ensure that all applications are distributed to the Grants Committee and all Commissioners as soon as received.

 

  1. A representative or representatives of the applicant organization must appear before the Commission at its public meeting to present the grant request, and to answer questions from the Commission and the public, prior to the Commission voting on the application.   Grants cannot be considered or approved by the Commission until a representative or representatives of the applicant organization has made a public presentation at a public meeting of the Commission.

 

  1. Grant recipients will sign a grant application and a receipt for grant funds which will constitute a binding contract with the Commission to adhere to the policies herein stated and the activities, programs and budgeted expenditures detailed in the application.

 

  1. As required by law, grant recipients shall provide to the Treasurer of the Commission a statement of use of funds, complete with receipts that support all expenditures, not later than 60 days following the issuance of the grant.

 

14a. If a grant recipient organization fails to comply with these policies and/or its contract agreement with the Commission, it shall be suspended for three years (3 years) from  the original date of issue of the prior grant check before it can apply for any grant from the Commission.

 

  1. Grant funds will be provided for a maximum period of 60 days from the date of approval of the grant.  Any funds remaining at the end of that period shall be returned to the Commission.

 

  1. At the termination of the project or activity supported by the grant, or 60 days after the approval of the grant application, whichever comes first, the grant recipient shall submit to the Treasurer of the Commission a final report on the use of funds, describing the activities and programs supported by grant funds, identifying specific benefits achieved by the grant, and supported by receipts for all expenditures of grant funds for the duration of the grant period.  This final report shall be submitted no later than 30 days after the date of termination of the project or 30 days after the end of the 60 day-period, whichever is applicable.

 

  1. If the recipient fails to comply with any of these policies, terms and conditions, the grant shall be immediately terminated by written notice from the Treasurer of the Commission and the recipient shall return all unspent funds to the Commission.

 

 

 

[Revised at October 7, 2010 meeting.]