Youth Opportunities Fund

Youth Opportunities Fund

The New Application What has changed?

The New Application • The Improvements • The application can now be filled out online • The “project timeline” portion is easier to fill out • Better questions to better assess the project • A new attachable Budget form

The New Application • The Budget Form • Only attachment allowed on application • Donations and Expenditures are seen • We will compare your budget form with your reimbursement form

How to send in my application • There are three ways to send in an application • Fill the application out online , print it to get REAL signatures (or you can just print it out and write it all by hand) scan it and then send it to the kiwanis office, the email should be clehman@kiwanis.org • Fax it to the Kiwanis office with a cover page with something saying it is for YOF (+1-317-879-0204) • Send in the application by mail to the Kiwanis Office, instructions will be on the applcation • ALL METHODS ARE A RECEIVED BY DATE, NOT POSTMARK

YOF Grading How are they judged?

YOF Grading • A committee of five international board members form a YOF judging committee • They are given a binder of all applications and they must • Read each application thoroughly • Answer questions on each application • Give it a score from 1-10 • They come together, see each others responses and then determine the grading

YOF Grading Sheet Does the proposal meet the Committee’s requirements as set out in the Application Procedures and Rules supplied to applicants? Does the application clearly describe the community issue or social need for the proposed project? Does the project/fundraiser have clearly identified outcomes?

YOF Grading Sheet continued… 4. Is the dollar amount requested specifically stated and the budget is clear and appropriate? 5. Are there any opportunities you see for products or services to be solicited as a donation? 6. Does the proposal include a plan for communication results? Is there an identified plan to measure or evaluate results?

Automatic Disqualifications and Application Don’ts • NOTInclude (automatic DQ) • An incomplete application • No Signatures or electronic signatures • Additional pages • Late applications • Divisional Projects • Application Don’ts • Typo’s • Incomplete sentences • One Word Answers • Vague Plans • No pre plans have been started

Money Disbursement How will you get your money?

Fund Disbursement • In early January, you will be notified whether you received a fully funded grant, partially funded grant, or no funding • So how will you get the money? • The funds are only given out on a reimbursement basis • You will have to complete the project • save receipts, invoices, ect., and include them in the form • Complete the budget form again and then send them to the Kiwanis office • This information will be given on your grant acceptance letter

The Good the Bad and The UGLY What makes a good application?

Ugly Applications • What makes an “UGLY” application? • Written in bad hand writing • Incomplete sentences • Numerous typo’s • Not every question is answered

Bad Applications • What makes a “BAD” application? • Vague answers • Fundraisers with no increase in return • Poor planning/ no other work is being done besides the grant funds • Funds don’t make sense • Percentages of “ugly” applications • Granted in full: 0% • Partially Granted: 5.1% • Not Granted: 10%

Good Applications • What makes a “Good” application? • Complete answers • Passion for the cause • Pre-planning has been done • Written well

Partially Funding Projects • Why do we partially fund? • Requesting refreshments or snacks for volunteers • No effort on clubs part • ie no pre planning • Vague amount requested • Poorly written application • Items requested for funding can easily be gotten in donations

“Problem” Section

Problem Section Describe the problem that your project addresses.

Problem Section Example 1: “Jefferson Elementary School is a local rural school that has been in the process of rebuilding their small playground for the past 2 years. They have been unsuccessful in obtaining large grants to fund the entire project. The grant money we receive will be added to the funds that have already been raised.” Example 2: “We have no money to buy toys. And we need money to donate to the hospital.”

“Solution” Section

Solution Section When and where will you project take place?

Problem Section Example 1: “Immediately upon funding at Jefferson High School.” Example 2: “We will deliver the toys on December 1st.

Solution Section What have you done so far to get your project started?

Problem Section Example 1: “We have applied and received grants from local businesses for the past year. We have completed fundraisers to purchase additional equipment. We have been committed to this project for a year and will not stop until the playground is complete.” Example 2: “We have found a place to drop off the toys and complete the project.

Solution Section How will your project measurably improve the community, the country, or the world? *Note this questions is no longer asked

Problem Section Example 1: “Jefferson is a Pre-K-8 school that has over 400 students with a 90% free or reduced lunch population. This playground is used year round by the school and community since it is the only playground available in this rural area. Example 2: “Those that are sick and need toys will know that they are cared for.”

Solution Section How will you measure the success of your project?

Problem Section Example 1: “The success will be measured by the completion of the playground and the amount of new equipment we are able to provide for the school.” Example 2: “By how many toys will be delivered.”

Solution Section How will you build on the success of your project?

Problem Section Example 1: “We have put in almost 100 hours of service time at Jefferson over the past 2 years. We will continue to help them through various fundraisers until their playground is complete. We are dedicated to committing our time and efforts as a club to ensure the completion of this project.” Example 2: “We will set up a project that will be carried on for many years to come.

Solution Section Who is working on the project? Please list their names, addresses, and phone numbers. If space does not allow for the entire list, please provide names, addresses, and phone numbers of the steering committee.

Problem Section Example 1: “Jefferson High School-999 N. Key Club Ave., Wonderland, CA 90000. (123-456-7890)”

Solution Section Is there an organization that you will be collaborating with? If so, give the name of the organization, the name of your contact, their position, and phone number. (No Example)

Solution Section Give a detailed timeline of your project

Problem Section Example 1: “The project will begin upon funding with the purchase of the playground equipment which will begin in the Spring. The project will be completed within the next year.” Example 2: “First, we are buying toys. Then, we will deliver them once they have ben packaged.”

Youth Opportunities Fund