External Agency Funding Program for Social Services in Lafayette Parish

Lafayette Consolidated Government External Agency Funding Program - Social Services 2021-2022

Definition The External Agency Funding Program exists to enhance the economic, social, cultural and educational welfare of the citizens of Lafayette. A social service agency provides direct services to people in need; they may serve the general public or a specific population. 2

General Notes Period of Performance: November 1, 2021 October 5, 2022 Application Deadline: August 20, 2021 Submit sealed application packet by 4PM to: Lafayette Consolidated Government Office of Community Development and Planning 705 West University Avenue Lafayette, LA 70506 NOTES: Only one application per agency Turn-in triplicate Signatures on originals to be signed in BLUE ink 3

Minimum $2,000 Maximum $15,000 NOTE: Please do not include any change in your request- round up or down to the nearest dollar 4

WHO MAY APPLY Social service agencies with 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt status from the IRS Based in Lafayette Parish Must serve the Lafayette Parish area Must have been in existence for at least one year Governed by a Board of Directors who meet (quarterly) 5

Allowed Eligible Expenses: Salaries Employee Benefits Transportation Costs Supplies and Materials Utilities Postage Travel and Meetings Rent Contractual Services Printing and Binding Equipment/Maintenance Real Property 6

Ineligible Expenses- Capital Expenditures-unless request will complete funding or fund last dollars required for capital expenditures Scholarships, fellowships or tuition assistance Deficit reduction Cost incurred before the effective date of the contract or AFTER the grant period ends Competitions, pageants, fund- raising events or hospitality costs If requested funds are for a particular project, administrative and/or operational costs not associated with the project Requests submitted by agencies currently receiving direct support/line item appropriation from Lafayette Consolidated Government 7

Evaluation Criteria 8

60% Need and Impact oDetailed description of the population served and the impact on service population oNeed for the agency s service within Lafayette Parish oNeed for Lafayette Consolidated Government to fund these services in lieu of agency 9

30% - Administration and Budget oManner in which the requested funds will be spent oQualifications and experience of the staff 10

10% - Evaluation Methods oEffectiveness of the Agency s measurable outcomes 11

Application Review Process oThe Director of Community Development and Planning will designate a five-person review panel to review the applications during the Fall of 2021 PLEASE NOTE: In the future, at the Grant Panel, a point will be deducted from agencies who were non-compliant in previous grant cycles (This will be implemented next year in 2022-2023, but will be based off of 2021-2022 performance) oThe Social Service Review Panel will make funding recommendations to be presented to the Lafayette City Council oThe City Council will vote on a Resolution to Affirm the 2021- 2022 External Agencies Funding Program awards oAfter Resolution is adopted, grants can be awarded 12

NOTE: Acceptance of an application DOES NOT imply that the agency will be funded in the 2021-2022 Fiscal Year This is a competitive grant process - applications may or may not be funded, it depends on: the number of grant applications, amount of External Agencies Funding available, and applicant score at the grant panel based upon the evaluation criteria 13

Attachments to Include with the application: 1. Articles of Incorporation 2. Current Certificate of Good Standing with the Secretary of State 3. Letter demonstrating non-profit status under section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Tax Code 4. List of Agencies Board Members- including contact information 5. Board of Directors Resolution or Clauses of Assurances authorizing the President or Executive Director to submit the application 6. Annual budget adopted by the Board of Directors 7. Financial statements (audit or IRS Form 990 for agencies with an annual budget of $50,000 or more) 8. Bylaws of the agency 9. Statement indicating if grant will be used to match Federal, State, or Foundation grant funds 14

Grant Writing Tips Be specific- write in simple , clear language Use Facts and NOT opinions- concrete statistics, plans, specific goals and evidence of research and planning as it relates to your population and local statistics (encouraged) Cite sources where applicable Complete the application as though the reader knows nothing about the agency. Panelist are asked to score based solely on the information presented in the application The narratives and the budget should be consistent- give details on how the funds will be spent Again- round up or down to the nearest dollar, no change 15

Proofread! Have other people read a draft of the application: Does it make sense to them? Does it address the evaluation criteria? Are all attachments included? 16

Directions for Drop Off Applications must be submitted in triplicate Stamp the original application with original signatures as Original and stamp copies as copies Send the application packet in an envelope Applications must be dropped off at Community Development and Planning at 705 West University, 2nd floor DO NOT drop application with security guards 17

Contact For questions regarding the application prior to submission, contact Valerie LeBlanc, Grants Coordinator at (337)291- 8413 or vleblanc@lafayettela.gov Last day to schedule an appointment with Valerie to review your application draft is Monday August 17th, 2021(optional) 18

Questions? 19