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Q:
What does the Foundation do?
A:
As
a supporting organization to the Sisters of Mercy of
North Carolina, the Foundation supports the Sisters'
religious, educational and charitable mission. As a
part of that mission, the Foundation makes grants to
selected tax exempt organizations in North and South
Carolina, with special emphasis on the Metrolina region
and western North Carolina.
Q:
How do I submit an application?
A:
Applicants submit an application to the Foundation in
accordance with the Grant Application
Process identified in this website and in the Foundation's
brochure.
Q:
Why does the Foundation use a two-stage grant application
process?
A:
The
Foundation uses a two-step grant application process
in order to give applicants an opportunity to make a
preliminary case for their request and to give the Foundation
an opportunity to determine interest in the request
without requiring excess time and effort on the part
of either.
Q:
Once I have the Grant Application, can I submit it for
an amount or purpose other than what was approved in
my Grant Application Summary?
A:
Grant
Applications must be consistent in terms of purpose
and the amount requested with what was approved in the
Grant Application Summary.
Q:
Who is eligible to apply?
A:
Tax-exempt
health care, education, and social service organizations
in North and South Carolina, which meet the Foundation's
criteria, as listed in Foundation
Focus, are eligible to apply to the Foundation for
a grant.
Q:
Do you fund capital requests?
A:
The
Foundation will consider requests for equipment and
furnishings and, to a limited extent, renovation projects.
Capital campaign requests for new buildings are not
eligible.
Q:
Can an organization which has an open Sisters of Mercy
of North Carolina Foundation grant apply to the Foundation
for other funding?
A:
An
organization that has an open Sisters of Mercy of North
Carolina Foundation grant cannot apply to the Foundation
for another grant until the current grant term has expired
and the grant evaluation report has been submitted.
Q:
Can a single request for funding be intended for more
than one program of an organization?
A: Grant
awards are made for either general operating support
for an organization or for support for a specific project
or program. If made for a specific project or program,
grant funds may only be used for that specific project
or program.
Q:
Are
there funding limits for the different types of support
the Foundation provides?
A:
Funding
limits are in place for the following types of grants
that the Foundation makes:
- Start-up:
a one time grant up to a maximum of $25,000;
- Operating
Support: a maximum of $125,000 annually for a period
of up to three years;
-
Specific Project or Program: a maximum of $150,000
annually for a period of up to three years;
- Building
Renovation or Equipment: a maximum of $100,000 annually
for a period of up to three years.
Q:
What should I keep in mind as I prepare my organization's
request to the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation?
A:
-
Read the grant application materials given to you
by the Foundation, along with the materials contained
in this website.
- Listen
carefully to what program staff says to you about
the process and your application.
- Follow
directions precisely as written.
- Ask
the program staff when you have a question about the
process or the application requirements.
- There
are terms and conditions for every grant award, along
with an evaluation process.
- In
outlining the proposed activities of the grant, plan
ahead and think about what outcomes you would be able
to demonstrate at the end of the grant term, and whether
or not they are quantifiable and clearly measurable.
- Decisions
regarding eligibility, whether to award a grant, the
amount of an award, and the terms and conditions of
the grant are at the sole discretion of the Foundation.
Q:
Do I need to submit an audit?
A:
Except in limited circumstances involving start-up organizations,
Audits or Compilation Reports by a public accounting
firm are required in support of an Application. As a
rule, an Audit will be expected if an organization's
annual revenues and support exceed $300,000. Below that
threshold, a Compilation Report is acceptable.
Q:
What would be considered a "current" audit
or 990?
A:
An
Audit, Compilation Report, or Form 990 must be completed
no later than six months following the close of the
organization's most recent fiscal year in order to be
considered current and meet the submission requirements.
Q:
What are clearly defined and measurable outcomes?
A:
Clearly
defined and measurable outcomes show, in numeric format,
specifically what will change or improve for
how many of the target population, and how
you will document that change. Example: Reading scores
will increase by 10 percentage points for 75% of the 100
children in the literacy program as measured by pre- and
post-tests.
Q:
Can
I fax or e-mail my application to the Foundation?
A:
E-mailed,
faxed or reproduced copies of the Application will not
be accepted by the Foundation.
Q:
Do you publish an annual report?
A: The
Foundation does not publish an annual report.
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