UNSOLICITED GRANT PROPOSAL

Phase I: Concept Paper
All prospective applicants are required to submit a two-page summary of the proposed project detailing the importance of the issues to be addressed, the goals, objectives, outcomes and strategies to achieve the proposed outcomes. Additionally, the Concept Paper should include a timeline (illustrating what is to be achieved over the life of the project), estimates of the total funds needed to successfully implement the project, the amount being requested from the foundation and, where appropriate, a list of other sources of funding (both actual and/or requested).  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their project idea with the foundation’s vice president of program & evaluation prior to submitting a Concept Paper.

Concept Papers that are assessed to "add value" to the foundation’s strategic objectives in its three priority areas – oral health, children’s mental health, and racial and ethnic health disparities -- may be invited to submit a Completed Proposal.

Phase II: Completed Proposal
Applicants who have completed the Phase I Concept Paper and have been invited to submit a Phase II Completed Proposal are required to submit a Cover Sheet [PDF | Word] , Logic Model Worksheet [PDF | Word], Budget Worksheet [PDF | Word], budget justification, and a proposal narrative. All Completed Proposal forms and the narrative must be single-spaced and typed in an easily readable 12-point font. The full proposal must not exceed 10 pages (see Proposal Elements below for page requirements). Completed Proposals that exceed specified page limits or are missing required forms will not be reviewed. Technical assistance in grant proposal preparation is available from foundation staff by contacting the vice president of program & evaluation.

PROPOSAL ELEMENTS

Completed proposals must include the following sections:

1. Executive Summary [not to exceed one (1) page]: This section provides an overview of the issue(s) to be addressed; proposed goals, objectives, approaches and outcomes; the project's evaluation method; and grant amount requested. The Executive Summary must include an "impact statement" that briefly describes the end result of the project.

2. Relevance of the Proposed Project [not to exceed two (2) pages]: In this section, applicants must provide an explanation of the relevance of the project in relation to at least one of CT Health's priority areas and/or illustrate how the proposed project will increase access to oral health care, improve the children's mental health system or impact at least one racial and ethnic health disparity.

3. The Narrative [not to exceed five (5) pages]: This section provides background on the issue(s) to be addressed. In addition, an application should:

• Illustrate the organization’s understanding of the issue(s) or conditions to be addressed by providing relevant data or research to support both the need to address the issue(s) and the strategy selected to intervene.
• Discuss why the organization has the capacity and expertise to address the issue(s) or conditions.  Rather than simply presenting a “history of the organization,” help the foundation understand why and how the organization is prepared and has the expertise to effectively respond to the issue(s) it proposes to address.
• Describe the applicant organization’s commitment to cultural and linguistic competence.  Explain how the applicant strives to increase its cultural and linguistic competence through organizational policy, practice and procedures.  Where appropriate, please provide clear examples.
• Articulate the anticipated outcomes of the project for which CT Health funds are being requested. Present a discussion of the specific program, activities or interventions that address the proposed objectives.  Provide evidence of the effectiveness of the selected strategy (i.e., models described in professional or academic literature). If no such evidence is available, please present a rationale for the selected program, activities, project and/or intervention and describe why the organization believes this approach will be successful.

4. Evaluation [not to exceed one (1) page]: This section explains how the objectives and outcomes will be measured and describes how the organization will know if the proposed project is having the intended impact.

5. Sustainability of Effort  [not to exceed one (1) page]: This section describes, where appropriate, how the project will be continued at the conclusion of CT Health's funding.

6. Budget Justification  [not to exceed one (1) page]: A narrative explanation of the budget line items and their relationship to the goals and objectives of the project.

7. Logic Model Worksheet: Develop a logic model within the Logic Model Worksheet [PDF | Word].  A logic model diagrams "cause and effect" relationships among proposed program inputs (i.e., resources and activities) and expected program outcomes (e.g., objectives and goals). The logic model describes the availability and use of resources needed/used for the project, the activities to be conducted by the project, and the short- and long-term outcomes.

8. Budget Worksheet: Provide the required financial and budget-related information in the format provided by downloading the Budget Worksheet [PDF | Word].

9. Cover Sheet: Provide the required contact information in the format provided by downloading the Cover Sheet [PDF | Word].

10. Operating Budget: Provide a copy of the organization's operating budget that should include a) the most recent audited financial statement; b) a copy of an independent auditor’s opinion; c) a copy of any management letter presented to the board of directors; and d) the most recent 990 or 990PF.

11. Board of Directors: Provide the following information about the organization’s board of directors: a) a list of board members, including racial/ethnic composition and affiliations; b) the frequency of meetings and average attendance over the previous 12 months; c) a description of how the board demonstrates its fiscal oversight; d)a description of how the executive director is evaluated; and e) a copy of the most recent annual report, if available.  Public entities or government organizations must also include an organization chart or table indicating where this project will be located and the division responsible for its implementation.

12. Legal Requirements: The foundation funds two types of organizations – nonprofit and government/public agencies.  Nonprofit organizations must have a valid tax-exemption status under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and be classified as a public charity and not as a "private foundation" under Section 509(a).  The foundation will consider grants to organizations not meeting these requirements on an individual basis. If a proposal is submitted by an unincorporated organization, collaborative or community project, a fiscal agent that has a valaid tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) is required. A letter of agreement that states the organization's willingness to act as fiscal agent must accompany the proposal, with signatures of the organization's CEO, president or executive director. 

13. Application Checklist: The checklist [PDF | Word] must be completed and returned along with the full application.

Ten copies of the proposal and one set of the attachments must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on the application due date to: Grants Manager, Connecticut Health Foundation, 74B Vine Street, New Britain, CT 06052. Applications postmarked, but not received at CT Health's offices on the due date, will not be accepted. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.

About Cultural and Linguistic Competence
The Connecticut Health Foundation (CT Health) acknowledges that there are various definitions and perspectives on cultural and linguistic competence.  While the foundation does not endorse any specific definition, the following from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services serves as one example:

"Cultural and linguistic competence: A group of skills, attitudes and knowledge that allows persons, organizations and systems to work effectively with diverse racial, ethnic and social groups."