Basic Needs Collaborations
Request for Proposals

United Way of Dutchess County is pleased to announce the availability of about $13,000 to support one collaborative project to improve Dutchess County’s capacity to provide basic needs services to residents. Emphasis will be placed on initiatives that cross multiple basic needs and involve multiple service strategies or disciplines.

Collaborative – For the purposes of this grant a collaborative is a group with at least five members, from at least five different organizations with professional experience in meeting the basic needs of people in Dutchess County. Evidence of formal meetings is required such as minutes from meetings, election of officers, selection of a fiscal agent, a strategic plan, and completion of a collaborative report or project. The group needs to have formed around a common purpose impacting the provision of basic human services and met formally on at least four occasions within a 12-month period. The collaborative need not be a legal entity but must have a fiscal agent to accept funds and take responsibility for fulfilling all requirements and agreed upon outcomes for this project.

Collaborative project – For the purposes of this grant a collaborative project is one that arises from a collaborative as defined above, furthers the common purpose of that collaborative, and results in formally recognized improvements to the way members of the collaborative respond to basic needs. Formal recognition of improvements might include signed agreements, shared funding or fund development, shared personnel, joint training of personnel, and other shared resources.

Basic Needs – For the purposes of this grant basic needs include food, shelter, access to medical care, utility assistance, domestic violence, child abuse and disaster services. Applicants are encouraged to read the Community Assessment and the Basic Needs Action Plan:

Community Assessment - click HERE

Basic Needs Action Plan - click HERE

Proposals that contain the following will be given priority:

- Evidence of a formal collaborative group with broad membership from across several organizations, disciplines and service strategies. Collaborative groups that show evidence of participation from the faith-based community, government, and Chambers of Commerce will receive preference.

• A project lasting between one and eighteen months that improves the efficiency of a service delivery system and boosts the capacity of providers to respond to basic needs. The project must be new or implemented no more than two months prior to the date the letter of intent is due to United Way (September 9, 2007)
• A project that addresses the whole need of clients to participate in programs – not just offer a resource but consider how clients will find the resource, travel to and from a site, build skills and resources to reduce the need for basic services, and access services in the community.
• A project that includes the collection of data from clients to assess priorities, needs, barriers, and access to resources.
• An outcome measurement plan that consists of at least one community outcome with at least two measurable indicators of change. The measurement plan should include a baseline measurement and goals or targets.

Eligibility criteria:

• Provide signed documentation from fiscal agent that they are acting in this role for the collaborative group.
• Respond to basic needs of Dutchess County residents.
• Be able to meet all agreement (contract) requirements.
• Provide or promote equal opportunity and access for all without regard to race, creed, color, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, sex, age, national origin or membership status in the collaborative.

Restrictions:

This grant will not fund:

• Capital/building renovations.
• Resources to benefit the collaborative as an entity such as office or meeting space; marketing or membership materials; strategic planning; filing for incorporation; hiring a coalition director or administrative support person; fund development activities for the collaborative; and training, technical assistance or consultants for any of these purposes.
• Start-up activities for a new non-profit organization.
• Expansion of existing services without regard to the efficiency of services already being delivered.

Process and deadlines:

A one-page letter of intent and completed pre-application form are due to
United Way by 5:00 pm on Friday November 9, 2007. No exceptions will be made. It is suggested that you confirm receipt of the letter of intent and
pre-application form as United Way is not responsible for any misdirected or late materials.

Applicants asked to complete the Common Grant Application should submit the completed application to United Way by 5:00 pm on Friday December 14, 2007 No exceptions will be made.

Funding will begin on January 31, 2008.

Click HERE for Pre-Application Form

 

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