Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching

OUR

COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

Granting Information
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Background Information
Grants
Grantmaking Priorities
Apply for a Grant

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching

OUR

COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Eden Prairie Community Foundation supports programs that align with
its mission: Enriching our community through philanthropy, collaboration &
leadership.
Since its beginning in 1981, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6
million in grants to 60-plus non-profit organizations for the purpose of
enriching the lives of the citizens of Eden Prairie and its surrounding area.
These funds have gone to organizations whose programs address the
cultural, educational, environmental, recreational, and social service needs
of the greater Eden Prairie community.
EPCF Priority Areas
The following are the Eden Prairie Community Foundations priority areas for
granting:
Arts & Culture Supports programs and organizations that enhance the
quality of life in our community through music, visual and performing arts,
and museums.
Education Supports programs that provide instruction for children and
adults and that are offered by established institutions or non-profit
organizations, as well as programs that offer learning or community
development opportunities.
Recreation & Environment Supports programs that engage children and
adults in activities that improve or sustain the quality of our natural
resources. Also supports programs that provide opportunities for children and
adults to engage in sports, fitness, and health and recreational activities.
Social Services Supports programs that provide for important needs for
children and adults, families, or community needs such as food, shelter,
safety, clothing, and assistance for people with disabilities.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching

OUR

COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

GRANTS
The Eden Prairie Community Foundation grant programs reflect our desire to
be inventive, inclusive, and reactive to the needs of the community. Some
grants are awarded through a competitive open grant application process
and some are not, instead originating at a donors request or in response to a
special opportunity available to our Board.
Discretionary Grants
These programs are established by EPCF's Board and reflect some of the
foundation's highest goals and priorities.
Discretionary Grants - Priority Areas (2016)
Arts & Culture Supports programs and organizations that enhance the
quality of life in our community through music, visual and performing arts,
and museums.
Education Supports programs that provide instruction for children and
adults and that are offered by established institutions or non-profit
organizations, as well as programs that offer learning or community
development opportunities.
Recreation & Environment Supports programs that engage children and
adults in activities that improve or sustain the quality of our natural
resources. Also supports programs that provide opportunities for children and
adults to engage in sports, fitness, and health and recreational activities.
Social Services Supports programs that provide for important needs for
children and adults, families, or community needs such as food, shelter,
safety, clothing, and assistance for people with disabilities.
Donor Advised Funds
Donor advised grants are awarded at the recommendation of advised fund
donors. Most awards support nonprofits' general operations or core
programs. These grants rarely involve a competitive process. It is more likely
that a donor is aware of the good work of a nonprofit and recommends
support for it.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching

OUR

COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

Community Field-of-Interest Fund Grants

These grants are awarded through funds created with a particular field of
interest (e.g.; early education literacy programs). Volunteer advisory
committees, knowledgeable about a particular region or field, generally
recommend grant awards through a competitive application process.

GRANTMAKING PRIORITIES
Areas of Focus
Arts & Culture
Education
Environment & Recreation
Social Services
Arts & Culture Supports programs and organizations that enhance the
quality of life in our community through music, visual and performing arts,
and museums.
Education Supports programs that provide instruction for children and
adults and that are offered by established institutions or non-profit
organizations, as well as programs that offer learning or community
development opportunities.
Recreation & Environment Supports programs that engage children and
adults in activities that improve or sustain the quality of our natural
resources. Also supports programs that provide opportunities for children and
adults to engage in sports, fitness, and health and recreational activities.
Social Services Supports programs that provide for important needs for
children and adults, families, or community needs such as food, shelter,
safety, clothing, and assistance for people with disabilities.
Eligibility
The Foundation welcomes requests from eligible organizations that meet the
following:
Classified as charitable organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code; or classified as an organization under Section
170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Provide service to residents within the City of Eden Prairie. Some funds
have a specific geographic focus area.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching

OUR

COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

Be part of a governmental body (e.g.; schools and parks that serve the
people of Eden Prairie).

Who We Fund
In determining what to fund, consideration is given to the availability of other
funding sources and level of Community Foundation resources. The
Foundation concentrates its funding support toward proposals that
demonstrate significant community impact, including number of Eden
Prairie residents touched; however, some field-of-interest and donor
advised funds consider requests for ongoing projects or organizational
support. Please consult with staff for specific fund guidelines.

What We Do Not Fund

The Foundation does not make grants to/for:
Debt retirement
Endowments
Fundraising activities
General /Administrative expenses of an organization
Individuals (aside from scholarships initiated or managed by the
Community Foundation)
Medical research
Organizations with significant activity considered to be influencing of
legislation
Political organizations or campaigns
Religious organizations for religious activities
Requests from re-granting organizations for its own grant making
activities
Tickets for benefits
Telephone solicitations

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching

OUR

COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

APPLY FOR A GRANT

We are determined to work with you to ensure that your grant application
process is as simple and effective as possible. From inspiration to execution,
allow us to partner with you on your proposed project.
Follow these five simple steps and contact us with any questions you have.
Step 1
Submit Inquiry
The first step in the grant application process is submitting an inquiry. In the
inquiry, we request to know some basic information and a description of your
project, along with what the selection of funds that you're applying. An
inquiry is strongly encouraged prior to submitting an application, and can be
submitted to Executive Director Mark Weber by e-mail at
mweber@epcommunityfoundation.org.
Step 2
Submit Application
If an inquiry aligns with the Foundation areas of focus, an organization will be
encouraged to submit a full proposal. The Foundation will begin accepting
applications Jan. 11, 2016, with the deadline for submission being Feb. 19,
2016. Applications and materials must be submitted electronically to Mark
Weber by e-mail at weber@epcommunityfoundation.org.
The Foundation accepts the Minnesota Common Grant Application found
here: http://bit.ly/1ep6SB6. Organizations that wish to submit the Minnesota

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching

OUR

COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

Common Grant Application are also required to submit the Self-Certifications

Checklist found at http://bit.ly/1bQj0TU, along with the application materials.
Step 3
Application Review
Applications are acknowledged shortly after the application deadline.
Program staff will contact you with follow-up questions or for additional
information once the review begins. Proposals will be reviewed for the
strength of the match with funding priorities and Foundation policies, the
potential benefit to the community, the number of residents impacted, and
the capability of the organization to achieve the proposed results.
Step 4
Grant Awarded or Declined
Staff, committees and donor advisors review the proposals with the
Executive Director. The EPCF Board of Directors makes the final grant
determination. Organizations will be notified of the outcome of their proposal
once the Board makes the final grantmaking decision. If a proposal is
declined, we encourage the applicant to contact staff to engage in further
discussion regarding the outcome.
Step 5
Funds Disbursed
When a grant is approved, a grant agreement will be sent to the intended
organization for review and completion. Upon the return of the signed
agreement, a check will be processed and awarded.
Grant periods are typically one year, unless otherwise noted. A final project
report is due two months prior to the end of the grant period. Please contact
us with questions. E-mail Executive Director Mark Weber at
mweber@epcommunityfoundation.org or call the Foundation office at (952)
949-8499.