How to Apply

Before applying for a grant, please review our Funding Priorities.

Organizations seeking foundation support must complete a Grant Application using the foundation’s application forms and attach the required supporting documentation as outlined in the application checklist. Applications should address one or more of the foundation’s funding priorities.

Grant funds must be used during the time period specified in the application. If all funds have not been expended within the approved grant period, a request for carryover may be submitted with an explanation of the under-spending and a plan for completion of the approved scope of work.

Former grantees please note: A new application for funding will not be considered if a report on a previous grant has not been submitted to the foundation. If the due date for the final report listed in the grant award letter is later than the new application deadline, you must submit an interim progress report regarding your previously funded programs.

The foundation permits electronic grant application submissions as well as submission of hard copy by mail or commercial carrier. Faxed applications will not be accepted.

Download the grant application packet.

All materials must be received by 5:00 pm July 31, 2012.

Electronic submissions may be emailed to: info@firsthospitalfdn.org

Hard copy submissions may be mailed or delivered by carrier to:

First Hospital Foundation
230 South Broad Street, Suite 402
Philadelphia, PA 19102

Application Format and Scoring Criteria

Applicants are required to submit the following:

I. A completed Grant Application Summary Sheet

II. A three-page Narrative which includes:

A. Organizational Capacity & Qualifications (15%)

• Brief summary of organization’s history and mission and capacity and/or qualifications to perform proposed scope of work.
  
• Description of current programs, activities, service statistics and strengths/accomplishments (highlighting the past year), including what makes your organization unique.

B. Assessment of Need and Fit with First Hospital Foundation Priorities (20%)

• Explain need for support and how need was determined.
• Define
  • Problems to be addressed
  • Target population
  • How the proposed activities will address the problems to be addressed.

C. Program Implementation Plan and Feasibility (20%)

For program support, provide the following information:

• Goals and Measurable Objectives
  • Description of the goals and objectives of the program.
  • Fully explain the implementation plan, including specific activities to accomplish stated objectives.
    
  • If this program requires a collaborative, briefly describe the partners.
    
  • Timeline in which all of this will occur, with specific start/end dates. Multi-year requests should include a multi-year timeline as an attachment.
    
  • If applying for technology/equipment, state clearly how it relates to the program or service that meets the foundation guidelines. Describe plan for maintenance/repair and management. (Include such details as backup/maintenance, potential for growth/upgrades, staff training and use of consultants.)

For general operating support, provide the following information:

• Description of the organization’s core programs, volumes of service, geographic service region(s) and program sites.
  
• Description of the impact of the organization’s core programs and how you evaluate their effectiveness.
  
• Description of need for general operating support.
  
• Identify and describe any key partnerships or collaborations that contribute to organizational success.

D. Staffing (10%)

• Describe your program management plan, including qualifications of key staff and/or consultants included in proposed budget. (Attach resumes or job descriptions as an appendix.)

E. Evaluation (15%)

• Describe your method for measuring success or impact of proposed activities.
  
• Describe how your findings will be used and/or disseminated.

F. Sustainability (5%)

• Describe how the program or benefits resulting from the program will continue.
  • If the program involves an ongoing program/service, explain how it will be sustained after foundation grant funding ceases.
  • If the proposed program involves a significant one-time expense, demonstrate how this will result in a sustained benefit to the service population.

III. Budget (15%)

• Submit a detailed line-item budget using the foundation’s Program Budget Form for listing income and expenses for this specific grant and related budget, including a list of funds already available or pending for the program and a budget narrative.
• For general operating support, submit a detailed operating budget using the foundation’s Operating Budget Form.
• If your request is for a multi-year grant, include a multi-year budget.
  

IV. Additional Financial Information

• Organization’s current annual operating budget and actual income and expenses for most recently completed fiscal year.
  
• Organization’s most recent audited financial statement and, if available, the auditor’s management letter. (Please explain any identified management issues and your plan to prevent them in the future.)
  
• Most recent Form 990 filed with the IRS.
  
• If an audited financial statement or Form 990 is not available, include an unaudited financial statement.
  
• Organization’s three largest funders in the last fiscal year, with amount of funding and type of grant.

V. Attachments

• One copy of the organization’s Internal Revenue Service letter granting it tax-exempt status, or
  
• A letter from a tax-exempt organization agreeing to act as fiscal sponsor together with one copy of that organization’s Internal Revenue Service letter granting tax-exempt status.
  
• Current board member list, including board member affiliation information, plus a list of officers and directors or a list of advisory board members.
  
• If the proposed work or services include multi-agency collaboration, submit letters of agreement from collaborating agencies.
• Extended timeline for multi-year requests.
• Organization’s latest annual report or summary of prior year’s activities, if available.
  
• Resumes or job descriptions of key staff and/or consultants.

Your application will not be considered until all materials are received by the foundation.

Download the grant application packet.