Viola W. Bernard Foundation

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Funding Priorities:

1. Grants are generally limited to projects or programs for children and young people with a mental health component.
2. Grants provide funding for innovative programs that address the interplay between social conditions and psychological health of children and families.
3. Only one proposal from an organizational entity will be funded at a given time.
4. Applications from individuals will not generally be considered, although in rare cases an exception may be granted.
5. There is a preference for projects and programs in New York City tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut). Vermont, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania may also be of special interest.

Content of the Proposal:

Proposals should meet the funding priorities of the Foundation. Proposals should specify how they will further the work of Dr. Bernard and the Foundation generally. Proposals should specify how the project is innovative. Proposals should also specify how initial funding will be useful and whether future funding from other sources is anticipated.

Proposals should specify:

1. The nature of the organization.
2. Its primary source of funding.
3. Proof of not-for-profit tax-exempt status under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
4. A clear, concise description of the project for which funding is sought, including the purpose of the entity and project, method, history, target population, staff and qualifications, and accomplishments to date.
5. A statement of why support from the Foundation is critical.
6. A description of the evaluation component of the project and, for an ongoing project, the results of past evaluations.
7. A statement of the significance or potential significance of the project.
8. The institutional budget of the applicant, together with a separate budget of the project itself.
9. Funds on hand for the project. If the project budget is substantially greater than the amount sought from the Viola W. Bernard Foundation, a statement of the additional sources from which the balance will be obtained and the methods by which the project budget will be reduced if full funding is not forthcoming.

Post-Grant Requirements:

Applicants funded must meet the following requirements during the period for which funding is granted. Failure to do so will usually result in denial of further Foundation support and, in serious cases, possible demand for refund of the sums granted:

1. A report on the progress of the project and the use to which the grant was put must be submitted 10 months after notification of the grant. At a minimum, this report shall include:
1. demonstration of ongoing monitoring of the project; and
2. an outcomes evaluation of whether, to what extent, and how the project objectives have been achieved and the impact of the project.
2. Demonstrated ongoing efforts, if applicable, of obtaining other sources of funding to sustain the project.
3. Timely notification to the Foundation should circumstances require the applicant to terminate the project, and an accounting of the funds granted by the Foundation.

In order to conserve Foundation assets, the Foundation does not issue published reports, nor grant individual interviews to applicants. The Board of Directors may choose to conduct a site visit to the program either before or after approval of a proposal.