Small Grant Procedures

SMALL GRANTS

What is a Small Grant?
The Council sets aside funds each year to invest in small, one-time-only projects or activities of a limited duration. The Council accepts unsolicited Small Grant proposals throughout the year. Small grant awards are $2,500 or less.

What is the purpose of Council grants?
The purpose of the Council’s Small Grants is to promote systemic change, capacity building, and advocacy that encourages and supports the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community. Small Grants will reward innovation.

What types of Small Grant activities will the Council consider?
Examples include, but are not limited to:

Self-advocacy and other advocacy activities
Co-sponsorship of conferences and trainings
Speaker honoraria
Projects that increase positive and valued images of people with developmental disabilities
Other projects that advance the empowerment, self-determination, and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families

The Council typically does not fund equipment.

All Small Grant proposals must be consistent with the Council’s mission.

Who can submit a proposal?
Individuals with developmental disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, and non-profit entities may submit Small Grant requests.

When should Small Grant requests be submitted?
Small Grant requests may be submitted at any time but they should be submitted well in advance of the start date of the proposed activity. The timeframe will vary according to the amount requested and the timing of Committee meetings.

Contact Linda Nelson to obtain current information on timelines. Ms. Nelson can be reached at:

LindaN@md-council.org

410-767-6249 or 1-800- 305-6441, ext. 1

Grant requests should contain
1) A letter explaining the project or activity (Letters are typically 2-4 pages)
2) A complete proposed budget, using the Council’s Small Grant budget form.

The letter should describe the following:

Purpose of the project or activity
Timeframe of the project or activity
Target audience, including the number of people involved or impacted
Specific activities for which Council funds are requested
Outcomes expected
How the project will be evaluated
Efforts to obtain funding from sources other than, or in addition to, the Council. Small Grants should be matched by at least 25% of total project costs unless projects target people with developmental disabilities and their families who live in urban or rural poverty areas, in which case grants should provide at least a 10% match.

The Council will not award funds for a project or activity when other sources of funding are available.

Where should Small Grant requests be sent?
Send one electronic copy to: info@md-council.org
Send one copy to: Brian Cox , Executive Director
Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
217 E. Redwood Street, Suite 1300
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

How will you be notified about the Council's decision? Applicants will be notified in writing within two weeks of final funding decisions. Decisions are made by the Council’s Executive Committee and are final.

All grant recipients are required to submit a written report on the outcomes and impact of the project or activity funded and may be asked to present this information at a Council meeting.

Revised: November 16, 2006

	SMALL GRANTS What is a Small Grant? The Council sets aside funds each year to invest in small, one-time-only projects or activities of a limited duration. The Council accepts unsolicited Small Grant proposals throughout the year. Small grant awards are $2,500 or less. What is the purpose of Council grants? The purpose of the Council’s Small Grants is to promote systemic change, capacity building, and advocacy that encourages and supports the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community. Small Grants will reward innovation. What types of Small Grant activities will the Council consider? Examples include, but are not limited to: Self-advocacy and other advocacy activities Co-sponsorship of conferences and trainings Speaker honoraria Projects that increase positive and valued images of people with developmental disabilities Other projects that advance the empowerment, self-determination, and inclusion of people with developmental disabilities and their families The Council typically does not fund equipment. All Small Grant proposals must be consistent with the Council’s mission. Who can submit a proposal? Individuals with developmental disabilities, family members of individuals with developmental disabilities, and non-profit entities may submit Small Grant requests. When should Small Grant requests be submitted? Small Grant requests may be submitted at any time but they should be submitted well in advance of the start date of the proposed activity. The timeframe will vary according to the amount requested and the timing of Committee meetings. Contact Linda Nelson to obtain current information on timelines. Ms. Nelson can be reached at: LindaN@md-council.org 410-767-6249 or 1-800- 305-6441, ext. 1 Grant requests should contain 1) A letter explaining the project or activity (Letters are typically 2-4 pages) 2) A complete proposed budget, using the Council’s Small Grant budget form. The letter should describe the following: Purpose of the project or activity Timeframe of the project or activity Target audience, including the number of people involved or impacted Specific activities for which Council funds are requested Outcomes expected How the project will be evaluated Efforts to obtain funding from sources other than, or in addition to, the Council. Small Grants should be matched by at least 25% of total project costs unless projects target people with developmental disabilities and their families who live in urban or rural poverty areas, in which case grants should provide at least a 10% match. *The Council will not award funds for a project or activity when other sources of funding are available.* Where should Small Grant requests be sent? Send one electronic copy to: info@md-council.org Send one copy to: Brian Cox , Executive Director Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council 217 E. Redwood Street, Suite 1300 Baltimore, Maryland 21202 How will you be notified about the Council's decision? Applicants will be notified in writing within two weeks of final funding decisions. Decisions are made by the Council’s Executive Committee and are final. All grant recipients are required to submit a written report on the outcomes and impact of the project or activity funded and may be asked to present this information at a Council meeting. Revised: November 16, 2006 Home \| About the Council \| Projects \| Funding \| Publications and Reports \| Resources \| Site Map \| Contact Us