2015 Recreational Sports Micro Grant Program

SUMMARY

The purpose of the Richmond Recreational Sports Micro Grant Program is to increase the overall opportunities and participation in recreational sports and outdoor activity in the City of Richmond.

The Micro Grant Program seeks to generate momentum from the collaboration between leading sports agencies, City recreational staff, sporting community leaders, and supporters in the development and growth of recreational sports and its benefits.

Grants are available to assist with equipment, special tournament/league participation, coaching enhancements, and for capital improvements that will help increase the opportunities and participation of an active life-style in the City of Richmond.

The City of Richmond is partnering with Enrichmond, who has a proven track record for directing granting efforts and recreational sports promotion, to administer and manage the Richmond Recreational Sports Micro Grant Program.

Enrichmond is an independent 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to:

1. Serve the people, parks, and public spaces of the City of Richmond;

2. Enhancing community-based volunteer-driven projects through increased citizen involvement, education and fundraising capacity.

GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA

Richmond Recreational Sports Micro Grant Program is available to business, nonprofit organizations, individuals or other entities with an event, project, program or activity that occurs within and directly benefits recreational sports and the active life-style of Richmond citizens.

General Criteria

• An applicant must be a resident of, headquartered in, and/or benefit applied within the City of Richmond.
• An applicant may only receive an award once in a 12-month period.
• An applicant is not guaranteed to receive the full funding amount requested.
• Grant recipients agree to purchase liability insurance in advance of any special event or demonstrate that their existing liability insurance will extend to the planned use of the grant.
• Recipients may forfeit funds for failure to receive all necessary and proper permits and inspections from the City of Richmond in a timely fashion.
• Grant awards can only be made to those 18 years of age and older.

Grant funding is available for two basic areas: Project Support and Capital Improvement.

Project Support Criteria

• The equipment, project, event, service, or activity must be applied within the City of Richmond.
• Eligible projects must center on recreational and outdoor activity.
• Eligible projects must have an event component that is open and free to the general public.
• The project, program or activity must be held within 12 months of the grant award.
• Grant funds may not be used for the purchase of food, alcohol, or tobacco products.
• Projects and activities are encouraged to partner with City Dept. of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities.
• Maximum grant: $1,000. Documentation for the expenditure of the grant and participation figures must be provided in grant reporting.

Capital Improvement Criteria

• Capital improvements may be defined as physical improvements to an existing site, building or service system; construction of new buildings or other structures; acquisition of fixed equipment.
• An applicant and the planned capital improvement must be located within the boundaries of the City of Richmond.
• Eligible projects must center on recreational and outdoor activity.
• Draft plans for the improvement must be submitted with the grant application.
• All necessary building permits must be obtained prior to beginning work.
• Improvements must be initiated within 12 months of the grant award.
• Improvements are encouraged to partner with City Dept. of Parks Recreation and Community Facilities.
• Maximum grant: $2,500. Documentation for the expenditure of the grant must be provided in final reporting.

REPORTING REQUIRMENTS

• All funding must be used within 12 months of the award.
• Applicants are required to submit a final report within 30 days of the completed use of the
  funding.
• Final reports should be in narrative form and include:
  • Description of funded event or project
  • Challenges and successes (expected and unexpected)
  • Relationships with additional project partners
  • Number of attendees/participants
  • Financial information addressing the estimated value of grant leveraged resources
    (total project cost minus grant funding) and the specific expenses funded by the grant.
  • One DVD or CD with photo or video documentation is encouraged.
• Tardiness or failure in submitting reports will be viewed as a basis for denying future requests.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to notify Enrichmond staff in advance of any changes in the grant status or nature of the funded project.

Contact John Sydnor, Enrichmond, 804.646.0954 or grants@enrichmond.org

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please submit one signed original application and two copies. Please do not use staples, binder clips, binders or folders to remit your application.

1. Application Cover Sheet (provided by Enrichmond HERE)

2. Application Narrative no more than 4 pages that provides:

1. A description of the applicant including year established, physical location, mission/ business objective and information on the constituent/customer served.
2. A description of the project or capital improvement. Please explain specifically why your project or capital improvement is relevant to the growth and success of your organization and for the Richmond Arts and Cultural District.
3. Information regarding the target market, promotion plans (if relevant) and any project collaborators.
4. Projected timeline for the project or capital improvement.
5. Budget information and the plan for funding the project or capital improvement. Please include, if relevant, the amount of requests, funds raised to date, additional funding sources if applicable and projections of future expenses. Please provide a detailed outline of expenses relevant to the grant request.
6. A description of how the organization’s project or capital improvement will be evaluated or measured.

Required Attachments
There are no required attachments for Project Support applications.
For Capital Improvements please include draft plans for the improvement.

Additional Attachments
A maximum of 2 attachments (marketing materials, newsletter, annual report, event program, etc.) is permitted. A CD or DVD of video clips and/or photographs is encouraged as one attachment.

MAIL TO: 100 North 17th Street   Richmond, VA  23219

DEADLINES AND DECISIONS

Applications are due to the Enrichmond office by 4:00 pm on the day of the deadline.

• Please make sure that the Cover Sheet document has been signed.
• Applications that are unsigned or are missing any required attachments by the deadline will be
  considered incomplete and may not be reviewed or considered for funding.
• Applications may not be submitted by fax or email.
• We recommend applications be submitted in person. Enrichmonds’ office door has a mail receptacle that can accommodate larger envelopes and can be accessed anytime.

MAIL TO: 100 North 17th Street   Richmond, VA  23219

Application Deadlines

June 2015 grants – deadline on Monday, June 1st, 4pm

July 2015 grants- deadline on Wednesday, July 1st, 4pm (if funding is available)

August 2015 grants- deadline on Monday, August 3rd, 4pm (if funding is available)