Policy and Guidelines for Submitting Proposals

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Gebbie Foundation’s strategic focus for 2006
and the next several years is as follows:

The strategic focus of Gebbie Foundation is to rejuvenate downtown Jamestown, NY, through economic development to make it an attractive place to work, live, shop, visit and raise a family. This shall be done by leveraging financial and human resources through collaboration, cooperation and partnerships.

The following guidelines shall apply to any request for funding:

• The proposal should be consistent with the strategic focus described above.
• Grants are not made to individuals.
• Grants are not made to sectarian or religious organizations.
• The Foundation prefers not to be the primary or sole funding source.
• Because the Foundation makes annual contributions to the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, applications for assistance from United Way-funded agencies will not be considered unless there is a strong link to the strategic focus.
• Organizations requesting funding must be approved as (or sponsored by) a 501(c)(3) organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Code.
• An applicant may submit an application for funding a project inconsistent with the above, but must give specific reasons justifying the inconsistency.

Application Procedures

Although the Foundation’s Board of Directors meets quarterly to allocate grant funds, grant proposals are accepted throughout the year.  A specific agenda date for consideration of the proposal will be determined in part by the availablilty of funds, the time-sensitive nature of the proposal and the amount of research that needs to be completed to present the proposal to the Board.

Before preparing a complete proposal, applicants are urged to submit a letter of inquiry addressed to the Executive Director.  The letter should contain a descriptive title for the project, the project's intent, objectives, outcome measures, short and long term funding needs, and other relevant factual information.

After reviewing the letter of inquiry, the Foundation’s Executive Director will determine whether a potential match exists between the then applicable funding priorities of the Foundation and the proposed project. Subsequently, a detailed proposal may be requested by the Executive Director.  It should not be assumed that such a request is an indication of funding.  The full proposal should include a detailed narrative, budgets, a board list, an IRS determination letter, other funding sources and financial documentation. In addition, the proposal should describe expected future funding sources and should indicate whether and to what extent additional funding by the Foundation will be necessary for the proposed project to be successful.

The Foundation will respond to all inquiries from eligible organizations.

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