Information on Grants & Application Process

 

Several years ago, the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club decided to use the proceeds from the sale of the club’s building to launch a grant program to support local non-profit organizations focused in the fields of agriculture, horticulture and conservation. The program has grown and we are now awarding larger grants to more organiza­tions in a geographically-wider area.

Categories of Grants

Annual Grants will be reviewed by the Grant Committee and funded once per year (or as otherwise determined by the Board).  No single Annual Grant should be more than 20% of the total amount of grants awarded in any year.  Approximately 90% of the total amount of all grants are allocated to Annual Grants.

Mini Grants are intended to be one-time payments of $2,000 or less to meet an urgent need. Mini grants will be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors at their regularly schedule meetings throughout the year. Approximately 10% of the total amount of all grants are allocated to Mini Grants.

At the discretion of the Board, grant monies may also be set aside to fund Horticulture related scholarships and event related Profit Shares.  Profit Shares will provide a named charity with the net proceeds from a specific fund-raising event.

Criteria for Grants

Prospective projects should show relevancy to the Mission Statement by including the following factors:

  • Be technically and economically feasible.
  • Ensure that all of those involved with the organization will benefit from the results.
  • Address a community need consistent with the Mission Statement.
  • Facilitate the transfer of technology, skills, and knowledge to others.
  • Foster self-sufficiency.

Submitting Proposals for Annual Grants

Each year the Grant Committee distributes a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) letter inviting interested parties to request a grant. The RFP provides information regarding criteria that needs to be met in order to be considered for a grant awardand proceed with submitting an application. It also delineates additional items needed and instructions for completing the grant application which includes:

  • Name, address of organization, person of contact, local phone, and email. An Executive Summary should be the first page of proposal.
  • A short description of the organization, including goals, purpose, and brief history.
  • Form 990 for the most recent year (not required for government and educational organizations).
  • Project title and detailed description of how project meets criteria for grants and is relevant to the Mission Statement.
  • Key personnel and responsibilities for the project.
  • Project budget in detail including income and expenditures of proposed project and how funds will be used.
  • Amount and purpose of funding requested.
  • Upon completion of the project, grant recipients will provide a report to the Grant Committee detailing the exact use of funds, and other relevant information related to the project.

Procedure for Annual Grants

With approval of the Board of Directors, the Grant Committee distributes the RFP and sets a deadline date to receive Grant Applications. The Grant Committee will review all applications, deliberate and prepare a recommendation for funding for Board approval. Prior to submitting an Annual Grant for recommendation, one or more Grant Committee members shall visit the proposed grant recipient’s site and facilities.

Normally, the funds for annual grants awarded will be disbursed in mid-May at our Annual Celebration of Giving.

Information Requirements for Mini Grants

For mini grants, the following information should be included and will be reviewed by the Board of Directors to determine if an award will be made and the amount to be awarded:

  • Name, address of organization, person of contact, local phone, and email.
  • Executive Summary including a short description of the organization, goals, purpose, and brief history.
  • Project title and detailed description of how the project meets the criteria for grants and is relevant to the Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club’s mission.
  • Key personnel and responsibilities for the project.
  • Project budget in detail including income (if any) and expenditures of proposed project, and how and when funds will be used.
  • Amount and purpose of funding requested.
  • A summary report with pictures after the project is completed.

To obtain an RFP letter and/or Grant Application for an Annual Grant (which must be made once the annual grant cycle opens and at least a week prior to the deadline for submission), please go to the following webpage: Information on 2023-2024 Grant Cycle