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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
In October 2005, Rotary Charities of Traverse City announced the first Request for Proposals (RFP) in the organization’s history. The purpose of the inaugural proactive granting program: to assist with the reduction of poverty in the Grand Traverse Region. Proposals were received from across the five-county area. A team of Rotarians, along with Charities’ staff, evaluated the proposals and narrowed them down to three finalists. Those proposals were investigated and the grant awards were given in late March to Catholic Human Services for Host Homes for Homeless Youth and the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments for the Kalkaska-based Kal-Tec program. Read the press release.The following information was applicable for the 2005-06 RFP process; future RFP programs will be initiated as needs are identified, and the program requirements will be posted here.
Goals of the Program
It is estimated that over 8% of the people living in the Traverse Bay Region are currently living in poverty. As a grass-roots, broad based coalition. The Poverty Reduction Initiative has a goal of reducing poverty by 25% in our region. Recognizing both the need to address the critical issue and the growing momentum created by the Poverty Reduction Initiative, Rotary Charities is taking this opportunity to initiate an additional approach to our traditional grant making.
Rotary Charities is seeking proposals that demonstrate an understanding of the conditions of poverty and address innovative solutions in any of the five identified issue areas: Education/Job Training; Health; Early Childhood; Housing and Attitudes. Community indicators for current data that can help measure the long term impact of proposed approaches can be found in the Benchmarks Northwest/Quality of Life Indicators.
Eligible Organizations
Nonprofit corporations, local units of government, schools and faith based organizations (see attached policy statement) are all eligible to apply for a grant.
Eligible Activities
Grant funds may be used to support program expenses, including operations and staffing. Funds may not be used for capital expenditures, equipment, staff training or development and endowment.
Grant funds available
Rotary Charities will make a total of $50,000 available for each of the next 3 years (2005-2008). Applicants may apply for 1, 2, or 3 year grants up to $50,000. Rotary Charities will evaluate multiple year funding requests based on appropriate, pre-determined evaluation results at the end of each year.
Criteria
Rotary Charities will give priority to proposals that:
- Serve economically distressed areas or populations
- Offer innovative solutions that may lead to system wide changes
- Involve a collaborative partnership
- Measure impact of the program in terms of community wide indicators
- Follow a process that can be documented, shared and replicated.
- Contain a process to develop a plan for self-sustainability, integration into existing community services or conclusion of services after 3 years
2005-06 Timeline (Coordinated with United Way ISIF process)
October 5: Rotary Charities issues Request for Proposals
October 24: RC and United Way workshop regarding RFP (mandatory)
November 28: Letters of Intent due at Rotary Charities
December 16: Final applicants selected
January: Pre-application meetings with selected finalists
February 15: Proposals due at Rotary Charities
February 16-March 17: Investigation of proposals
March 29: Decisions by Rotary Charities Board
For more information contact:
Marsha Smith, Executive Director
Rotary Charities of Traverse City
250 E. Front Street, Suite 320
Traverse City, Mi 49684
(231) 941-4010 | 
