apply for a grant

Grant Guidelines and Deadlines

Since SCHIP began making grants, many non-profits have used their awarded funds to continue their mission to improve the lives of our neighbors and strengthen our communities. Grants range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Grants are made possible as a result of SCHIP’s mission to raise funds through the sale of donated, gently used clothing, household items, accessories, jewelry, art, and collectibles at its resale shop in the distinctive yellow building on Route 7, next to the town offices. Since the first grants given in April 2005, more than $920,000 has been distributed. 

BASIC FUNDING ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

You may be eligible for SCHIP funding if:

• You are one of the types of organizations listed below:

  • A legally registered 501(c)(3) Public Charity (NOT classified as a 501(c)(3) Private Foundation), or you have a confirmed fiscal sponsor that is a legally registered 501(c)(3) Public Charity; OR

  • A Governmental agency; OR

  • An educational institution (school, college, university)

• Your organization, program, or project is located in or also serves the communities of Shelburne, Charlotte, and or Hinesburg

TYPES OF FUNDING

We provide funding for:

• Seed money

• Specific projects or programs

• Collaborations or collective action efforts

• Capacity building

• Capital campaigns — A limited portion of our grant funds go towards capital campaigns.

We DO NOT provide funding for:

• Individuals looking for personal funding

• Annual operating budgets or permanent staffing

• Political or lobbying campaigns

• Organizations that exist to influence legislation or voting

• Event sponsorships

• 501(c)(3) Private Foundations

• 501(c)(7) Social Clubs

SCHIP accepts applications for grants twice a year with deadlines of March 15th and September 15th

Types of Grants Available

• Level 1 Grants: The grant application is satisfied by filling out the SCHIP GRANT APPLICATION FORM and if funded, submitting a Completion Report which details the use of the funds and its impact on the community.  For this grant cycle, the maximum funding for each grant awarded is restricted to $3,000.

• Level 2 Major Grants: The grant application is satisfied by filling out the SCHIP GRANT APPLICATION FORM and submitting a detail business plan.  If funded, the organization is expected to submit periodic progress reports that detail the use of funds - the time frame of the reports shall be specified prior to grant disbursement in written contract outlining goals and expectations. For this grant cycle, the maximum funding for each grant awarded is can be up to $15,000.

  • This grant type is restricted to seed money to start a self-sustainable project or program.

  • You must submit a detailed business plan with the SCHIP GRANT APPLICATION FORM.

  • You must demonstrate that future funding sources are available or that once started, the project or program will become self-sustainable.

Project Evaluation Factors:

• The extent to which the grant will foster the SCHIP mission to improve the lives of our neighbors in Shelburne, Charlotte, and Hinesburg and to strengthen our communities.

• The extent to which the grant will be used to help people to help themselves

• The extent to which the grant will facilitate leveraging of funds from other sources

• The extent to which the grant does not duplicate a project or activity previously funded by SCHIP

Stipulations on All Grants Awards:

• All applications for grants as well as completion reports must be submitted by email to Grants@TheSchip.org in PDF format and use the Application form linked below.

• If funded, the grantee must use the funds in a manner which was described in the original grant application or the funds must be returned.

• If funded, the applicant must provide a Completion Report detailing when and how funds were expended not later than six months after receiving the grant  See the Completion Report form linked below.

• Grantees can reapply one year after their original grant award.

• No new grant will be made until a Completion Report is filed with SCHIP concerning a previous grant.  In addition, the completion report must detail how the grantee has publicized the award of the grant via advertising, social media, and/or press releases.  Completion reports are due six months after the award of any grant.  Failure to make a timely filing of a Completion Report may affect the eligibility of future grants.

• Questions?  Email us at Grants@TheSCHIP.org