GETTING STARTED - A New Process

As this is a new ONLINE APPLICATION process, PLEASE REVIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND TIPS BELOW CAREFULLY.

You are also encouraged to PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL BRIEFINGS before submitting a Proposal.  Click here for the current call schedule and instructions on how to participate. Note that additional telephone briefings will be scheduled and posted here in the months ahead to accommodate those interested in applying later.

OPEN RFPs - Brief Overview

This funding announcement includes three Requests for Proposals (RFPs):

• Bridge Grants (RFP 10-102) - Funding to provide transitional financial support for new or expanded services for medical, behavioral or dental care.

• Capacity Building Grants (RFP 10-103) - Funding to develop or strengthen an organization's effectiveness, efficiency, quality, safety, impact and sustainability.

• Sunflower Trails Grants (RFP 10-104) - Funding to help increase access to physical activity by building community-based or school-based walking and multi-use trails.

APPLICATION TIMELINES - Multiple Options Offered

For all three RFPs, ONLINE PROPOSAL APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL OCTOBER 28, 2010. Funding decisions and announcements will be based on the following timelines (by 5:00 p.m. on the specified day):

• Proposals submitted by February 25, 2010 - awards announced by April 16, 2010

• Proposals submitted by April 29, 2010 - awards announced by June 18, 2010

• Proposals submitted by July 1, 2010 - awards announced by August 20, 2010

• Proposals submitted by September 2, 2010 - awards announced by October 22, 2010

• Proposals submitted by October 28, 2010 (final deadline) - awards announced by December 17, 2010

PROCESS - Now an Online Proposal Application

We are pleased to introduce an ONLINE PROPOSAL APPLICATION process. While we acknowledge this involves a "learning curve" for all of us, we believe this application format will be more user-friendly and efficient for applicants. As with any new process, there may be some unforeseen challenges. If you have difficulties with the application process, please do not hesitate to contact us. Additionally, we encourage your feedback about this online application process - any comments, suggestions, tips you may discover from your experience with it, etc. Please send your feedback via this e-mail.

While making application, remember these key instructions:

• The first step is to set up an "account" for your application. This allows you to save your entered information and return to the application at will. You will be required to provide your e-mail address, create a password and enter your Tax ID number.

• To navigate through this application, be sure to use the page number links at the top of the application or the "Next" link at the bottom of the application. YOU WILL LOSE YOUR ENTERED DATA IF YOU USE THE BROWSER'S BACK OR FORWARD BUTTONS.

• Once in the application, you may access an easy-to-read snapshot of the entire application by clicking the "Printer Friendly Version" link at the top of the page.

TIP: Print the application to have at your side as you complete the required information online.

• In some cases, you will be asked to provide responses to multiple requests for information in one field (box) on the electronic application form. PLEASE LABEL ALL RESPONSES TO MATCH THE LABELING OF THE INFORMATION REQUESTED (e.g. "3.a.").

• Note also that the response fields are character-limited. While it is essential that all responses adequately provide the information requested, it is also important that they are concise. The fields allow ample capacity for complete responses.

• There may infrequently be a required field that does not apply to your proposal. In that situation, please enter "N/A" as your response.

• You are allowed to exit at any point in the process of completing the application without losing your entered data by clicking the "Save & Finish Later" link at the bottom of the page. DO NOT click the "Exit" link at the top of the page unless you want to abandon the application.

TIP: As a precaution, save each page of the application once completed by clicking the "Save & Finish Later" link. This will take you to a table that lists any open application(s) in your "account," providing a direct link to return to  your last point in the application process. This step will also prevent loss of entered data due to any unanticipated interruption.  

• All the applications require certain supporting documents to be attached to the application in electronic format only (e.g. Budget Form, Budget Narrative Form, Logic Model Form). Other required attachments to the application may be submitted via hard copy mailing, if not available in electronic format. Each RFP application will specify the attachment requirements.

Here is a summary of the attachment process:

• The documents required to be attached to your application in electronic format are available by following the link at the top of the page to the "Downloads & Forms" section of the foundation's website. Once you select the required document, complete and save it to your computer. Instructions for attaching it to your application are provided on the last page of the application. THIS SYSTEM WILL NOT ALLOW YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION UNTIL THE REQUIRED ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS ARE ATTACHED.

• Some required documents may be submitted via hard copy mailing, if not available in electronic format (note: the foundation will accept scanned documents attached electronically). The documents required are specific to each RFP and noted on the online application. DOCUMENTS SENT BY HARD COPY MUST BE POSTMARKED WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY FOLLOWING THE DAY YOU SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION for your application to be considered complete.

TIP: You can review the information you have provided in the application at any point by clicking the "Review My Application" link at the top of the page. This will also alert you to any missing information or documents that are required before you can submit your application.

• For more details on navigating the online application process, be sure to PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF THE TELEPHONE CONFERENCE CALL BRIEFINGS. Click here for details.

READY TO APPLY? - Follow these links to access the proposal application of your choice:

• Bridge Grants (RFP 10-102)

• Capacity Building Grants (RFP 10-103)

• Sunflower Trails Grants (RFP 10-104)