Nonprofits Receive FY 2009 Rural Families Grants

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For Grantees Only
All interim reports are due December 1, 2008. Below are two templates grantees must use to complete those reports:

(September 9, 2008)-- Seven rural-serving organizations will receive a total of $87,000 in grants from the Strengthening the Well Being of Rural Maryland Families, a direct service grant program administered by the Rural Maryland Council and funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Since 2006, the program has awarded $387,000 in grants to 19 rural organizations that help low income rural families enhance their economic success.

Now in its fourth year, the program received request for more than three times available funding -- an indication of the need for more resources in Maryland's rural communities.

Earlier this year, the RMC sponsored a Rural Housing Roundtable with the Maryland Rural Development Corporation and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to discuss barriers housing professionals face when trying to help low income rural residents. The overriding barrier that surfaced consistently was the lack of financial skills and knowledge among low income rural residents. As a result of the Roundtable, the RMC narrowed the focus of the Rural Families program to provide grants only to those organizations who have projects or programs that:

  1. Ensure families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit for the first time or develop systematic savings practices that result in an at-risk rural family saving at least $1,000 and
  2. Help each family to develop a financial plan that uses those funds to eliminate/reduce a financial burden that prevents the family from achieving economic stability, including saving for a first home or preventing foreclosure.

Grant recipients for FY 2009 are:

BACKGROUND for FY 2009

Since 2006, the Rural Maryland Council has administered the Strengthening the Well-Being of Rural Maryland Families, a direct service grant program, with funding from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. During that time, $300,000 in grants have been awarded to 14 rural organizations.

The overall goal of the FY 2009 Rural Families program is to strengthen the economic stability of disadvantaged rural families by helping them develop the financial skills they need to save money and increase their knowledge and understanding of the financial management practices that can help them overcome barriers to economic success.

In April 2008, the RMC sponsored a Rural Housing Roundtable in Cumberland with the Maryland Rural Development Corporation and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development to discuss barriers housing professionals face when trying to help low income rural residents. The overriding barrier that surfaced consistently was the desperate need for financial education among low income rural residents.

As a result of the Roundtable, the Rural Families program narrowed its focus for FY 2009 and provided grants only to those organizations who proposed projects that:

  1. Ensure families claim the Earned Income Tax Credit for the first time or develop systematic savings practices that result in an at-risk rural family saving at least $1,000;
  2. Help each family to develop a financial plan that uses those funds to eliminate/reduce a financial burden that prevents the family from achieving economic stability, including saving for a first home or preventing foreclosure;
  3. Connect families with available support services that can help them become self sufficient over the long term;
  4. Include an evaluation component that assesses the effectiveness of the project based on the number of families who are served in Steps #1-3 (above.)

Who Should Apply? Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofits, community-based and community-serving organizations that can provide the services described above to disadvantages families in at least one rural county. The applicant does not need to be physically located in the area it serves.

Maryland's 18 rural counties are: Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worchester.

Grant Amount: Grants are generally $20,000 or less.

Project Period: September 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009

Letters of Intent - Submit by July 28: Potential applicants are encouraged (but not required) to submit a Letter of Intent, briefly describing their program prior to drafting a full proposal. This will give us an opportunity to discuss any issues before you take the time to develop a full proposal. Email it to: rmc@mda.state.md.us

Deadline: Applications must be emailed to the Rural Maryland Council by August 11, 2008

Notification: All grantees will be notified of their status no later than September 1, 2008

Download the FY 2009 Grant Guidelines and Application Now

FY 2009 Grant Scoring Criteria

Organizational Capacity (15 points): The organization applying for a grant should have a clear mission, a significant record of achieving meaningful, measurable results over a long period of time, and substantial experience working successfully with disadvantaged families. The applicant should also showcase a strong, stable staff which is capable of developing financial skills and plans.

Project Description (40 points): The project description should demonstrate an understanding and commitment to the needs, aims and objectives described in the Grant Guidelines, and an ability to achieve them.

Other Program Descriptions (30 points): The applicant must demonstrate a clear and precise understanding of the major goals of the Rural Families program while helping families build a solid network of support. The applicant should also articulate how it will evaluate the project's effectiveness.

Operational Budget (15): The project budget should reflect a reasonable, well thought-out and responsive program and includes funds from other, diversified sources, if possible.

Rural Maryland Council :: 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway :: Annapolis, MD 21401 :: 410-841-5772