basic needs and strategic priorities grant program … · strategies that focus on early...

BASIC NEEDS AND STRATEGIC PRIORITIES GRANT PROGRAM

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) PROGRAM YEAR JULY 1, 2019-JUNE 30, 2020

RFP Release Schedule

RFP Announcement:

Thursday, November 1, 2018

Letter of Intent Due Date:

Friday, November 16, 2018

Public Information Session:

Thursday, November 8, 2018

2:00 – 3:30PM

101 S. Jensen Road

Vestal, NY 13850

Proposals Due:

Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:00PM

Paula Perna, Director of Community Initiatives and Planning

United Way of Broome County

[email protected] | (607) 240-2014

mailto:[email protected]

Request for Proposals

Strategic Priorities Grant Program

Program Year: July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020

RFP

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3

Families are empowered and economically stable. ..................................................................... 5

Why it Matters .......................................................................................................................................... 5

Measurements .......................................................................................................................................... 5

Youth are prepared to live, learn, work and contribute. ............................................................. 6

Why it Matters .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Measurements .......................................................................................................................................... 6

Seniors are healthy and safe. ......................................................................................................... 7

Why it Matters .......................................................................................................................................... 7

Measurements .......................................................................................................................................... 7

A Foundation for a Quality Life: Basic Needs .......................................................................... 8

Why it Matters .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Measurements .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Application Requirements ............................................................................................................. 9

Eligibility.................................................................................................................................................... 9

Funding Period .......................................................................................................................................... 9

Submitting a Proposal ............................................................................................................................... 9

Application Questions .................................................................................................................. 10

Funding Process ............................................................................................................................ 12

Evaluation & Selection Process .............................................................................................................. 12

Investment Timeline ............................................................................................................................... 12

Public Information Meeting .................................................................................................................... 12




RFP

INTRODUCTION

United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in Broome County.

Good health is an essential ingredient for individual success and a thriving community; the whole

community will flourish when all residents have access to public parks, playgrounds, healthy foods and

quality healthcare. Improving education that focuses on long-term solutions and addressing opportunity

gaps throughout a lifetime is imperative. Also, the whole community benefits when more working

individuals and families are able to stop walking a financial tightrope and get on financially-solid ground.

Financially stable people are more likely to have access to quality heath care, provide a good education

for their children, and contribute to their local economies. That’s why we focus on lasting solutions.

Four impact areas drive the United Way of Broome County Strategic Priorities that will support efforts to

create systemic change in the community. We are committed to lasting solutions that build opportunity

for all.

Childhood Success focuses on early intervention and topics such as early grade reading and school

readiness. School readiness is predictive of early grade proficiency which is in turn predictive of

graduation. Thus, the ultimate goal of Childhood Success is to ensure that children are developmentally

and academically prepared for secondary education.

Youth Success concentrates on middle grades success, high school graduation, and post-secondary

success. United Way is fighting to give every young person the knowledge, skills and experiences to

succeed in school, work and life. Youth who live in economically disadvantaged communities face

challenges, drop-out, and many don’t go on to college or earn some form of post-secondary training or

credentials.

Economic Mobility works to ensure that individuals and families improve their socio-economic status.

The ability of an individual or family to change their financial status, can have a multi-generational,

positive impact on overall well-being by improving housing options and broadening opportunities for

education and mentorship.

Access to Health works to enable individuals and families to improve their health. This requires increased access to health-care and health insurance, but also creating healthy communities, increasing physical activity and access to healthy food, and ensuring that children and families get off to a healthy start.




RFP

United Way of Broome County has undergone a process of shifting to a Community Impact business

model, which is a change in how we interact with our funded programs and with the community. The

Community Impact business model is driven by our mission to lead sustainable improvements in

community conditions by mobilizing the caring power of our community. United Way of Broome County

does this by bringing together organizations, people, and resources to focus on the critical issues in

Broome County with the goal of making progress through collaborative, coordinated efforts.

Since 2013, United Way of Broome County staff and volunteers have utilized the Harwood Institute’s

Community Conversations model to turn outward to gain public knowledge. We have held over 60

community conversations and convened several additional forums to engage a diverse array of

community members and institutional partners and to learn about their community aspirations and

challenges.

United Way of Broome County is taking action on what Broome County residents feel is most important

while also working to address poverty in our community. The Strategic Priorities, identified in 2016, that

we will fund through this RFP are:

Families are empowered and economically stable.

Youth are prepared to live, learn, work and contribute.

Seniors are healthy and safe.

Through this RFP, United Way of Broome County will also fund programs that work to meet the basic

needs of Broome County residents. Meeting peoples’ basic needs and reducing poverty through

targeted initiatives will transform the lives of individuals, moving them from crisis to self-sufficiency.

Aligning with the common agenda of the Binghamton-Broome Anti-Poverty Initiative (BBAPI), we

envision a Broome County with vibrant neighborhoods where residents feel safe and can live a healthy,

financially stable life with increased access to resources and services.

The following pages include details on each Strategic Priority that will drive change in the four impact

areas as well as more information on eligibility and application requirements. The funding under our

Basic Needs and Strategic Priorities Grant Program will begin on July 1, 2019, and run through June 30,

2020.




RFP

FAMILIES ARE EMPOWERED AND ECONOMICALLY STABLE.

WHY IT MATTERS Broome County residents agree that in order for families to thrive, we must empower them to access

resources and services to become economically stable. According to the United Way of New York State’s

ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report, the household survival budget of a family

of four in Broome County totals to $56,964 annually, significantly greater than the U.S. poverty level of

$23,850. This bare-minimum survival budget does not allow for any savings, leaving a household

vulnerable to unexpected expenses. In Broome County, 42% of residents live below the U.S. poverty

level and the level set by the ALICE report, meaning that many Broome County families struggle to make

ends meet and save for the unexpected, even though they may be employed. Families that are

struggling to make ends meet often have the hardest time preparing for the future and connecting to

supports that can reduce their stressors, putting them at higher risk for engaging in unhealthy or

damaging behaviors. This RFP will support strategies that ensure that individuals and families improve

their socio-economic status.

MEASUREMENTS

COMMUNITY INDICATORS Applicants must choose at least two indicators from the list below that they will track and report within

their program.

# of parents, caregivers that engage in parent leadership activities (program planning, Board

participation, training in leadership/advocacy, etc.)

# of parents, caregivers completing parenting skills program

# of parents, caregivers practicing positive child-rearing skills in the home, increasing protective

factors

# of parents caregivers served that are provided with information, resources, tools, trainings,

and/or teaching skills

# of children served without repeat maltreatment

# of adults served with improved workplace readiness skills

# of individuals who report an improvement in emotional and mental health following

intervention

# of individuals served who earn job-relevant licenses, certificates, and/or credentials

# of individuals served who gain and/or improve employment

# of individuals served who improve long-term financial stability with increased money

management and/or asset building tools

# of individuals served with access to healthcare services and/or elimination of barriers to

healthcare




RFP

YOUTH ARE PREPARED TO LIVE, LEARN, WORK AND CONTRIBUTE.

WHY IT MATTERS Positive youth development programs engage young people in intentional, productive, and constructive

ways while recognizing and enhancing their strengths. Every child and youth in Broome County should

be provided opportunities, positive relationships, and the support needed to learn and build on their

strengths as well as prevent risky behaviors. Research indicates that young people who are surrounded

by a variety of opportunities for engagement encounter less risk and ultimately show evidence of higher

rates of successful transitions into adulthood. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

estimates that one in four children, birth to age five, are at risk for developmental delay. When children

are identified and begin receiving early intervention services early, their long-term outcomes are

significantly improved, resulting in higher independence and productivity. By providing academic

support, out of school activities, and opportunities for civic engagement and volunteering, youth can be

equipped with the skills and knowledge for their transition into the workforce. This RFP will support

strategies that focus on early intervention, early grade reading, and school readiness, as well as

strategies that ensure middle grades success, high school graduation, and post-secondary success.

MEASUREMENTS

COMMUNITY INDICATORS Applicants must choose at least two indicators from the list below that they will track within their

program.

# of children (0-5) enrolled in high-quality early childhood programs

# of children (0-5) screened for developmental delays/disabilities

# of children (0-5) enrolled in intervention services as a result of detection of developmental

delays

# of early childhood/youth development staff receiving relevant training and/or credentials to

provide quality programs and services

# of children (0-5) served who achieve developmental and social/emotional milestones

# of children (K-3) served reading at grade level

# of children (K-3) served who are proficient on school readiness assessments

# of children (K-3) served who maintain satisfactory or improve school attendance

# of elementary/middle/high school youth served who participate in out-of school time

programs and/or individualized supports

# of mentor/mentee matches lasting longer than 6 months

# of youth served with improved workplace readiness skills

# of elementary/middle/high school youth served in out-of school time programs and/or

individualized supports with improved academic performance

# of youth served who graduate high school on time

# of youth served who gain post-secondary employment, further education, or credentials

# of youth served with improved leadership skills (as measured on a pre/post test) or skills

empowering them in community engagement

# of youth who report an improvement in emotional and mental health




RFP

SENIORS ARE HEALTHY AND SAFE.

WHY IT MATTERS In Broome County, 25% of residents are over the age of 60. Nationally, as in Broome County, we are witnessing an unprecedented population shift. By 2050, older adults will

triple to about 1.5 billion nationwide and will outnumber all children under the age of 14. The number of people who will see their 80th birthday will quadruple to 395 million. Of this population, 7.5% are living in poverty, and 58% rely on Social Security as their primary source of income. Therefore, a lack of affordable housing and transportation options for seniors can increase their risk of falling into poverty. Approximately 80% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. Four chronic diseases—heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes—cause almost two-thirds of all deaths each year. Depression among people with chronic conditions is also more common. In turn, chronic conditions account for over 70% of the money our nation spends overall on healthcare. The public and private cost of providing health care services to Medicare beneficiaries will increase as the senior population grows and people with chronic diseases live longer. Chronic conditions can lead to a decreased quality of life for seniors and affect their ability to live independently when left unmanaged. This RFP will support strategies that will work to ensure that every older adult can live a healthy, active, and independent life.

MEASUREMENTS

COMMUNITY INDICATORS Applicants must choose at least two indicators from the list below that they will track and report within

their program.

# of seniors served who utilize transportation services to and/or from medical appointments

# of seniors served participating in physical activity 2 or more days per week

# of seniors/older program participants who have been provided with information on health

including but not limited to nutrition, physical activity, fall prevention, and health insurance

# of seniors/older program participants who report positive lifestyle changes as a result of

receiving information on health including but not limited to nutrition, physical activity, fall

prevention, and health insurance

# of seniors receiving access to healthy food and nutrition

# of seniors reporting less social isolation & loneliness as a result of participation in a United

Way funded program




RFP

A FOUNDATION FOR A QUALITY LIFE: BASIC NEEDS

WHY IT MATTERS United Way of Broome County works to help families in Broome County meet their basic needs for food,

shelter, and safety as a foundation for a quality life. When needs are unmet and uncertain – if we are

hungry, if we don’t have a place to sleep, if we are in fear for our safety – the other challenges we

encounter in life become even more difficult to overcome. We cannot focus on getting a better job,

going to school, or taking care of our health. United Way of Broome County provides funding to

programs that help people overcome life's challenges and meet their basic needs, so they are prepared

to take advantage of all the resources that allow them to build a better life.

This RFP will support strategies that will work to ensure individuals and families have their basic needs

met through a variety of approaches. Organizations that provide direct services in the areas of food

stability; housing and shelter; physical, mental, and behavioral health care; preventing violence and

domestic abuse and programs that plan and prepare for future relief efforts as well as programs that

help meet peoples’ immediate needs to get them back on their feet after a disaster.

MEASUREMENTS

COMMUNITY INDICATORS Applicants must choose at least one indicator from the list below that they will track and report within

their program.

# of individuals in crisis that are provided access to healthy food and nutrition

# of individuals served who access affordable, stable, long-term housing

# of individuals served who access immediate, crisis housing

# of individuals served who avoid utility disruption and/or homelessness by securing payment

plans

# of individuals whose immediate needs are met following a disaster

# of victims of domestic violence who seek legal representation in child custody, visitation,

and/or support proceedings

# of victims of domestic violence who seek legal representation to obtain an order of protection

# of children, teens, and/or families educated on domestic violence

# of individuals that secure health insurance coverage

# of individuals who increase their participation with healthcare professionals for routine

medical care

# of individuals who report an improvement in emotional and mental health following

intervention




RFP

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

ELIGIBILITY All applicants must meet and provide evidence of the following requirements:

Funding through the Strategic Priorities Grant Program will be used to serve residents of

Broome County, New York. Organizations who serve a larger geographic area may apply but

must ensure that funding will only support activity in Broome County.

Be a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization.

Be incorporated or chartered under appropriate federal, state, or local statutes.

Abide by federal and state laws regarding non-discrimination.

Have an active, locally based, volunteer board of directors that meets regularly, makes policy

decisions, and holds election of officers.

Have an administrative structure with defined lines of responsibility, a mission statement, and

bylaws.

Be financially stable and perform a regular budgeting process.

Be able to provide one of the following reports based on your corresponding New York State

annual financial reporting requirements: (a) an independent audit with the corresponding

management letter, (b) a financial review, or (c) financial statements signed by a Board

representative in compliance with our Partner Accountability Committee policy within six

months of the end of your fiscal year.

Have current license, certification, and permits if applicable.

Be able to demonstrate effectiveness of its programs/services through measureable outcomes.

FUNDING PERIOD Funding awarded to applicants shall be used for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June

30, 2020. Multi-year funding may be considered on a case by case basis.

The funding awarded is contingent on the results of the 2018-2019 United Way of Broome County

Community Campaign.

SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL Interested applicants should follow the instructions at https://www.uwbroome.org/nonprofit-funding/.

Proposals must be submitted no later than Friday, January 11, 2019 at 3:00PM. All required

attachments must be uploaded in PDF file format. Applicants must answer all questions in full. Hard

copy paper applications will not be accepted, and late applications will not be reviewed.

https://www.uwbroome.org/nonprofit-funding/




RFP

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

PART ONE: LETTER OF INTENT (Due by November 16, 2018)

1. Letter of Intent available as a Google Form. You can access the Letter of Intent at

https://uwbroome.org/nonprofit-funding/.

PART TWO: NARRATIVE

1. Organizational History a. What is your organization’s mission and how does the proposed program fit within your

mission? b. What prior experience and success does your organization have in the delivery of this or

a similar program? c. Describe the past success your program has acheived.

2. Need for the Program

a. Identify the community need your program will address and provide relevant data/local

statistics that supports the need for your program.

b. What is the demand for this program and how do you know demand will continue in the

coming year? This may include service trends from your program such as increased

usage, inquiries, etc.

c. Does anyone else in the area offer the same or similar services?

i. If “No” then explain why you believe the program is not meeting any other need

in the community.

ii. If “Yes” then explain what other agencies in the community offer a similar or

parallel service. How is your program different?

3. Program Description

a. Provide a brief summary of the program/project.

b. What is/are the long-term goal(s) of the program/project?

c. What are the short-term, measurable objectives of your program/project that will meet

your stated long-term goal(s)?

d. Describe the specific activities that will be undertaken, including number of people

expected to be impacted, responsible staff and the target date for completion.

e. What is the minimum amount needed to run the program? What impact would a partial

award have on your proposal?

f. If your program/project will continue beyond the period funded by this grant, what are

your plans to continue its funding?

g. What is/are your program’s target population(s)? Please be as specific as possible (ie. 25

women of color in the Village of Endicott).

4. Collaboration

a. Who will you be collaborating with to meet your stated goal(s)?

b. Describe how the collaboration will take place.

https://uwbroome.org/nonprofit-funding/




RFP

5. Evaluation Plan

a. Please describe in detail how you will evaluate the success of your program/project, and

what tools or resources you will utilize to measure program performance. A community

indicator is part of the United Way of Broome County’s shared measurement

framework. Please note: in addition to choosing community indicators, measurement

methods/tools must be clearly explained in this part of your proposal.

PART THREE: ATTACHMENTS

1. Tax exempt status

a. Verification of 501(c3) tax-exempt or other tax exempt or public charity status.

2. Program budget

a. Provide an accurate, detailed program budget, a requirement of all funders.

b. Supplemental information may be requested. Please submit the budget using the

template attached. The information requirements are as follows:

i. Specify the budget period (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020).

ii. Specify the requested amount and the total cost of the program.

iii. List all other sources of revenue for the program.

iv. Expenses: Itemize your expenses and provide an expense total.

v. Indirect Rate/Administrative Costs: If your organization uses an indirect rate,

this must not exceed 15%. If you use a break down of administrative costs

instead, this must not exceed 15%.

vi. Budget Narrative: Provide an explanation of all budget line items. Specify in-kind

expenses and donations or matching funds, including volunteer hours to be

leveraged.

3. Agency budget

a. Provide an agency budget (on one page if possible) that shows line items side by side

with the following columns, in order indicated:

i. Prior year budgeted

ii. Prior year actual

iii. Current year budgeted

iv. Current year-to-date

v. Next year [preliminary] or [actual] budgeted (If not yet complete, please provide

brief statement describing what significant budget changes you anticipate

making for the next year)

4. Financial Statements

a. Provide one of the following reports based on your corresponding New York State

annual financial reporting requirements: (a) an independent CPA’s audit report and

financial statements with the corresponding management letter (over $750,000), (b) an

independent CPA’s review report and financial statements (between $250,000 and

$750,000), or (c) internally reviewed financial statements signed by a Board

representative (less than $250,000).

5. Board List

a. A complete list of your current board of directors with officers, affiliations and term

dates noted.




RFP

FUNDING PROCESS

EVALUATION & SELECTION PROCESS United Way of Broome County will award funding through a competitive process led by community

volunteers. United Way of Broome County has convened Impact Councils for each Strategic Priority and

for Basic Needs. The Impact Councils are made up of 9-15 community volunteers who are experienced

and knowledgeable within the subject area of the specific priority. The Impact Councils are responsible

for reviewing and ranking applications (based on the criteria below), and developing a clear plan of

investments that best address the Strategic Priorities and Basic Needs. This, together with community

information from United Way of Broome County staff, will form the basis for recommendations to the

United Way of Broome County Board of Directors for final determination and approval of all grants.

Section Maximum Points

Organizational History 5

Need for the Program 20

Program Description 25

Past Program Success 10

Collaboration 10

Evaluation Plan 20

Program Budget 10

Total Possible Points 100

INVESTMENT TIMELINE November 1, 2018: RFP Released

November 16, 2018: Letters of Intent Due via Google Forms

January 11, 2019: Applications due for consideration

May 2019: United Way of Broome County notifies applicants of funding decisions

July 1, 2019: 2019-2020 funding cycle begins.

PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING United Way of Broome County will hold a public information session to offer organizations the

opportunity to learn more about this effort and the application/review process.

November 8, 2018 from 2:00 – 3:30PM

101 S. Jensen Road

Vestal, NY, 13850

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