Dayton, Ohio 45423

Phone: (937) 222-3390 or 225-9939 – Fax: (937) 222-0636

E-mail: khayde@brightertomorrowfoundation.org.

Deadline: Proposals must be received by 5 PM on November 7, 2008.

Background:

The Brighter Tomorrow Foundation (BTF), a nonprofit foundation established in 1989 for the benefit of children and adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities (MR/DD) in Montgomery County, is pleased to offer a Request for Proposal for FY 2008/2009 for competitive grants that address the needs of organizations that serve persons with Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities as well as persons with economic and/or physical disabilities.

Consideration will be given to proposals addressing needs in the following priority areas, specified in rank order:

Housing
Lasting Equipment
Education
Recreation

For 2008/2009, the Brighter Tomorrow Foundation can award grants up to a maximum of $10,000. The grant projects may focus on any of our four priority areas.

Eligible Applicants:

Eligible applicants include nonprofit incorporated organizations, local governmental agencies, and academic institutions.

Unallowable Activities and Expenses

Brighter Tomorrow Foundation will not provide support for:

Capital campaigns
General operating expenses unrelated to the grant purpose
Retroactive funding for activities that have already taken place
Basic research
Staff development activities
Supplanting of projects or activities that have existing funding from other sources
New staff positions
Activities and projects that are directed to individuals with MR/DD outside of Montgomery County
Individual applicants

Proposal Preparation Instructions:

A. Each proposal must include a completed cover sheet (attached). All proposals must also be signed by the person in the organization authorized to sign such grants if that person is other than the contact person.

B. Proposals are limited to three single-spaced one-sided pages. A 12-point font should be used.

C. Required Narrative (Please note the weighted point system for each section):

1. Information about the Applicant (10 Points). Briefly describe your organization’s purpose, experience with the target population, accomplishments, and history relevant to the proposed project.

2. Statement of Need (10 Points). Briefly describe the need to be addressed. Identify the target population for your project. Discuss whether other funding is available to support your project and why BTF support is being requested.

3. Project Goals and Expected Benefits (15 Points). Describe the purpose of your project and how it is related to BTF priority areas. Identify project goals and the measurable objectives associated with each goal.

4. Project Implementation Plan (25 Points). Identify the plan for carrying out your project, the person or persons responsible for each activity, and the timeline for implementation.

5. Evaluation Plan (25 Points). Describe your plan for documenting progress toward the measurable objectives. Describe the instruments or methods you will use to collect evidence to substantiate meeting your objectives and the person or persons responsible for this documentation.

6. Budget (15 Points). Provide a line item budget for your request and include a narrative justification below the detailed budget. Identify any other funding sources that have committed resources to the project, and identify line item expenditures for the BTF share.

D. Required Attachments.

An IRS letter of tax exempt status
Letters of support from any collaborating agencies for projects involving other agencies

Submission Instructions:

The deadline for proposal submittal is 5 PM on November 7, 2008. You may submit your proposal by email, by hand delivery, or by regular mail. If by hand or regular mail, please submit five copies of the proposal by the deadline. Please fasten proposals with binders or butterfly clips rather than staples.

Email Address: khayde@brightertomorrowfoundation.org.

Mailing Address: Brighter Tomorrow Foundation

500 Kettering Tower

Dayton, Ohio 45423

Fax number: (937) 222-0636

Phone: (937) 222-3390 or 225-9939

Notification of Grant Award:

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by January 31, 2009. You may be contacted prior to that date to provide additional information about your project. Please do not call BTF to inquire about the status of your application.

Post-Award Reporting:

Grantees will be required to submit a written final report as outlined below. The report and budget information should not exceed 2 pages. Documentation such as brochures, photos, sample products, videotapes, CD’s or DVD’s may be attached as an appendix or in some other appropriate form. Failure to submit a final report will jeopardize your receiving future funds from the Brighter Tomorrow Foundation

If your project includes production of written materials or publicity, BTF requests that you acknowledge our support with the following statement: Project support provided by the Brighter Tomorrow Foundation.

The final report is due on or before October 15, 2009 and must include the following information:

Name of organization
Contact person
Amount awarded
Amount spent
A copy of final expenditures vs. budget
Number of individuals served
A description of the project and how project goals and measurable objectives were met. (Include a summary of evidence collected.)