Each year the Community Foundation of Greater Lakeland offers donors and the community unique granting opportunities through Impact Lakeland, our granting program. Each organization/program offered by Impact Lakeland has been carefully reviewed by the CFGL and our dedicated Grant Committee to ensure that only quality programs are introduced to our donors.
How does Impact Lakeland work?
The CFGL and its Grant Committee offer a grant program in which local charities can submit grant applications for consideration. Organizations are permitted to submit one application (two for agency's that have a fund at the CFGL) per grant cycle. The applications are provided to our donors for their consideration through Impact Lakeland first, and then on to the Grant Committee. This allows each of our donors the opportunity to choose projects they would like to fund first and foremost. The CFGL Grant Committee then meets to select from the remaining projects in need of funding.
What is the Grant Committee and how do they decide what projects to fund?
The Grant Committee is a dedicated group of volunteers who look at each application, decide if the organization and its projects meet the CFGL's criteria for consideration and then make funding decisions.
The committee has a small pool of unrestricted funds to grant from. In making funding decisions, the Grant Committee looks closely at the application to ensure that the organization's budget is sound and that they are led by a dedicated staff and board.
The committee looks for projects that are innovative, reach a broad segment of the population, serve a previously underserved population, and are well thought out and will improve the quality of life in the Lakeland area. Each project submitted must serve a majority of the Lakeland area, meaning at least 51% of participants (those affected by the project) must be Lakeland residents.
How can I fund Impact Lakeland?
Funding Impact Lakeland programs is easy! If you are currently a donor with the CFGL, simply fill out a grant request form. If you are not a donor, and would like to fund a program offered by an agency that has a fund within the CFGL all you have to do is send a check to the CDGL with a letter stating the name of the program you would like to fund or you can donate
online. We take care of the rest, including letting the organization know who donated to them, following up on your grant and sending you and acknowledgment letter for tax purposes.
What does partial funding accepted mean?
Some of the Impact Lakeland programs are able to receive partial funding and still continue to operate. For others however, full funding must be awarded in order for the program to continue or in the case of a new program to begin. That's why Impact Lakeland is so important to non-profits. Without the funding received through Impact Lakeland, many of these programs will never operate.
What does "this program can be endowed" mean?
Many of the Impact Lakeland programs are recurring programs that depend on new funding from year to year to continue operating. In order to ensure the future of these vital programs, the CFGL offers an opportunity for donors to endow some of the programs. By providing the endowment portion of the funds requested, you are ensuring that the program will continue running in perpetuity!
Can I help support the Grant Committee?
Of course! The committee is always grateful to donors who allocate dollars from their funds to assist the committee in funding these important projects. Some donors choose to support the committee by making and outright gift or by allocating a percentage of their fund to the committee each year.
I want to provide partial support for one of the Impact Lakeland programs offered but it doesn't say "partial funding accepted". Can I still provide funding?
Contact the professional staff at the CFGL and will be happy to assist you in your desire to help the organization. There may be other donors who are thinking the same thing about the very same program and we can pair you up to get the entire program funded.
What if I want more information on one of the programs I see?
Simply call the CFGL office and we will provide you with any information you need to make the wisest giving decision.
I want to support the community but none of the Impact Lakeland projects interest me. Is there anything else I can do?
There are always things you can do to support the community and the many non-profit organizations that serve our community. Contact the CFGL office and one of our staff professionals can schedule a time to help you locate an organization that fits your passions.
The CFGL can provide so many wonderful opportunities to the non-profits in our community, but just like the other agencies, we need funds t be able to provide these services. Because we have a strict no fundraising policy, we rely on gifts from our donors to help us better the community.