Photo: Sarasota K-9 Search and Rescue with their new helmets purchased with a SAM grant from the Selby Foundation.
The team at the Selby Foundation wants small organizations to be successful applying for the “Small and Mighty” (SAM) grant opportunity, available to 501(c)(3) nonprofits with annual expenses of $300,000 or less.
If this is your nonprofit, here a few questions that are important to us as we get to know your organization and its needs. Most of them do not stand alone in determining whether we will invest in your request. Rather, they open up conversations to help us better understand and support your nonprofit and its work.
- Is your organization helping people make gains? Be prepared to talk about the specific gains your programs or services make for those you serve and how you know. Although a capital grant is for “things” such as building needs, equipment, new software, etc., we want to invest in nonprofits that are making positive movements instead of just “serving people.”
- If you file the IRS 990 postcard, can you provide a profit and loss statement and balance sheet? These financial statements help us understand more. We sometimes see that an organization is only netting a small fraction of what it spends on special events, for example. As another example, financials may help tell the story of an organization that accomplishes a great deal using in-kind support.
- Have you considered whether the requested investment could increase annual operating expenses? In some cases, a capital grant reduces operating expenses by making your work more efficient. In other cases, your nonprofit will have more to maintain. Be prepared to talk about how you will take on these extra expenses if that is the case.
- Does your nonprofit have a fundraising strategy other than hope? Even a simple document outlining how your organization is raising funds to support your important work can help us learn your strategies to grow or sustain your mission’s impact.
- If your organization is led by its founder, are there sufficient assurances that it will continue if something happens to him/her/them? Because the Selby Foundation invests in capital expenses, we have an added responsibility to do the best we can to ensure these items will serve a charitable purpose for a reasonable amount of time.
- Is there a compelling need for the service or program your organization is providing in our community? Is this apparent outside of your members or a small group that may participate in your programs? If other nonprofits address the same need, how is your work different?
- Is the information in your proposal accurate? A grant application is not the place for fluff or hopeful statements about what your organization wishes to be true. As part of our due diligence process, foundation staff may verify your statements about collaborations, about gains or about those you served. This one point could be a deal breaker.
You can always reach out and ask us for help if you’re getting stuck or need direction. We’re happy to set up a quick call and provide guidance.
SAM grants are open three times per year and give smaller organizations serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties the opportunity to request capital funds with a shorter turnaround time and a streamlined application.