Frequently Asked Questions

Grant FAQs

+ What is the deadline for grant application?

The deadline for submitting a grant application is 30 June.

+ We are a small nonprofit and very new, will we still be considered?

You may want to consider collaborating with another nonprofit that has a proven financially stable track record; however you will still be considered if you opt to submit on your own.

+ Can our organization submit different grant applications in different focus areas?

No, each organization may submit only one grant application each year.

+ Will Impact100 decide which Grant Review Committee will review an application?/ Why won’t you tell us which focus area to apply in?

No, every organization must make that decision independently. We believe you are the best judge of where your grant application, once written, will best fit. A project may meet the criteria for several focus areas, so we believe the decision is best left to the organization.

+ If we submit a proposal this year that is not funded, how soon can we resubmit the proposal?

You may apply again the following year.

+ If we submit a proposal and are awarded a grant, how soon can we resubmit the proposal?

When a nonprofit is awarded a grant, then the organization must wait three years before reapplying to Impact100 for another grant. The 2 year period for grant recipients to re-apply begins the year that the grant is awarded according to the terms of the grant agreement form. (Example: Nonprofit X received grant in 2017. Nonprofit X would be able to re-apply in 2020. Year 1 = 18, Year 2 = 19).

+ Can we include our brochures, annual reports and videos about our organization?

When we do site visits, we are interested in all this information; however, in the initial steps of our review of the applications, these things are not taken into account so we will not accept these with the original application.

+ How does Impact100 pay out the grant money?

Impact100 disburses funds on an as expended basis. Grantees must submit quarterly reports upon implementation and progress of the project. Prior to the release of grant funds, each recipient must complete the Impact100 Greater Chesapeake grant agreement form.

+ What is the period of time the money must be spent?

The period of time the money must be spent correlates directly with the project’s intended implementation timeline. These details will be laid out in the Grant Agreement document, that is signed by the recipient after being selected. Policy requires that the recipient provide Impact100 with regular interim reports detailing the progress of both the project and its budget while the Impact100 grant money is expended. Impact100 does have a maximum expenditure time frame of 2 years for when the money must be spent.

+ What are the counties from which Impact100 will accept Grant Applications?

Non-profits located in Anne Arundel County. Funds must be spent in Anne Arundel County.

+ Does Impact100 accept applications that are collaborative in nature between more than one nonprofit?

Yes. Collaborating proposals should meet the following criteria: a) Two or more 501(c) nonprofit organizations; b) Be aware and submit letters of support for the collaboration (Grant Application stage) c) Engage one of the partners as a lead fiscal agent through which all Impact100 business is conducted.

+ If the project is a multi-agency collaboration, do we submit the financial information from all the collaborating partners?

If a project application is a multi-agency collaboration, Impact100 requires financial information from all collaborating partners during the “Grant Application” stage of our process. Please note each partner should submit complete financial data for three years as outlined in the grant application checklist.

+ Can the grant be used over multiple years?

Yes! Nonprofits may spread out their award but it is not required. The distribution timetable must occur over two years, in accordance with the grant agreement form.

+ Does Impact100 fund current operating expenses?

No, Impact100 grants are meant to be transformational. While the definition of transformational varies among members, we cannot fund an organization initiative that does not intend expansion or services delivered in a new way. An appropriate funding request for Impact100 would be for services performed in a new way (innovation), more services of the same kind provided more often to their current population (deepening), or expanding their current service to a new population (expansion). Impact100 would expect the budget to reflect such, which could include additional staff & their resultant operating costs or other capital requests.

+ How are grants that have faith focus received?

Impact100 welcomes Applications that are programmatic, capital, start-up, or technical assistance from valid 501(c)3 organizations. We do not fund overhead requests. Our funding cannot be used to advance faith-based programs (e.g. build a chapel) but can be used by a faith-based organization to address social issues.

+ Are grants always for the same amount?

Our grant amount fluctuates every year based on the number of members we have for that year, yet each recipient in that year would receive the same amount. Each time we accumulate 100, $1,000 donations, we are able to grant a $100,000 award.

+ If the most recent budget is not approved by an agency board by the grant deadline, can the “draft” be submitted?

Yes. Impact100 is interested in your project budget and even though it is not officially approved, it must still be a realistic budget. Please note that the process asks you to confirm that the nonprofit Executive Director and/or Board President are aware of the application. Grant recipients are responsible to spend all funds in the manner with which they applied for the grant.

+ Do you look to fund only “new impacts” or would you consider supporting previously awarded impact areas?

Impact100 encourages all types of applications and if your program will change lives, we encourage you to submit it for consideration. Our committees have full control over who they choose as their finalist.

+ Who can I contact for more information?

Any questions or comments regarding the grant application process are welcome. Please contact us at grants@Impact100GreaterChesapeake.org

+ How should I submit my Application?

Please visit this page to get the most up to date information.

+ Who can we contact to discuss our grant application?

For questions regarding Impact100’s guidelines or process, you may email grants@Impact100GreaterChesapeake.org. If we have questions about your Grant Application, we will contact you. Impact100 Greater Chesapeake is committed to a fair, unbiased process. We do not accept any unsolicited communication related to topics other than questions about the guidelines or application process.

+ The funding we need for our proposal is more than the grant Impact100 offers. Can we submit a proposal for more than the grant amount?

Yes. You must identify the additional funding sources for your proposal on the Full Proposal Budget Form.

+ The funding we need for our proposal is less than the grant Impact100 offers. Can we submit a proposal for less than the full amount?

No. Impact100 is looking for proposals that use the full grant amount.

+ Will you consider a proposal that expend the funds over a period of years?

As stated in the grant guidelines, Impact100 seeks projects or programs that expend grant funds within 2 years (24 months).

+ What kinds of communication can we expect from Impact100 Greater Chesapeake during this process?

Impact100 notifies all applicants at each stage of the application process, even if they are not invited to receive a site visit or become a finalist.

+ What are some of the reasons applications may not be selected as a finalist?

  • Grant project may not demonstrate the ability to fully expend the grant funds or complete the project within the twenty-four-month time frame.
  • Grant project, if designed to be ongoing, does not show how it will be funded after the end of the grant.
  • Competing organization may be filling a similar need of the grant project.
  • Application is unclear and poorly written.
  • The project budget is not clear or well defined.
  • The grant project does not fall within the scope of the focus area as defined on the application.
  • The nonprofit organization lacks a proven record of success or a strong, diverse board of directors.

+ What are some of the most common application errors?

  • More than one application submitted from an organization.
  • Organization is not a 501(c)(3) public charity or cannot prove their 501(c)(3) status.
  • Grant project does not benefit residents of Anne Arundel County.
  • Organization requested less than the full grant amount.
  • Financial information is missing.
  • Grant project funds debt reduction for any purpose.
  • Grant funds are used for general operating expenses of the organization not associated with project described in the grant application.
  • Organization does not demonstrate sustainability or the project does not include a sustainability plan.
  • Grant is for interim or bridge funding.
  • Grant is for an individual.
  • Grant is for endowment funding.
  • Grant is for partisan, legislative or political activity.
  • Grant project requires capital improvements or renovations to property that the organization does not own or have a lease of at least five years.
  • Grant project requires participation in activities of a particular faith, denomination or religion in order to benefit from the project or program.