Social Venture Investors: Grant Guidelines
Social Venture Investors (SVI) is a group of local philanthropists that invest in innovative programs to improve the quality of life in Grand Rapids. Each year they pool their charitable dollars, make outcome-oriented grants, and track the results of their investments. Past SVI grants have addressed the needs of children and youth, education, community/economic development, health and human services.
SVI makes grants for new, entrepreneurial, creative and/or innovative programs that:
- Address clearly articulated needs of an underserved population
- Have specific and measurable outcomes over the short (nine months) and long term
- Include plans for sustainability
- Are not for capital improvements or limited to purchase of equipment
For examples of past grants, click here.
Who may apply?
Any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Kent County, meeting the criteria provided, is eligible to apply.
How much is available?
SVI grants have ranged from $15,000 to $36,000. Three grants of approximately $30,000 will be awarded.
How to apply:
Please submit your proposal online through the online grant system at http://www.grfoundation.org/onlinegrants.php.Finalists will be selected in mid-February and asked to attend the Investment Session in May 2008 to present information about the proposal to SVI members and answer questions. Finalists will also be asked to provide the following information:
- Copy of Internal Revenue Service 501(c)(3) designation letter
- Organizational budget for the current year
- Signatures of Executive Director or President and Board Chair
- Information on the organization's Board of Directors
If a grant is awarded, recipients may also be asked to participate in an educational luncheon for Community Foundation donors, appear in a summary video presentation regarding the funded project, and to attend the final report session in March 2009.
When are proposals due?
Applications must be submitted online by midnight on Friday, January 25, 2008. Pre-screening will be finalized by February 22 and finalists will be notified of their status at that time. Final decisions regarding grants will be made at the SVI Investment Session in May 2008 (notification of the date will be provided as soon as it is available).
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