ActKnowledgement Grant

Overview

ActKnowledge makes small grants (up to $1000) to provide seed money for small projects that will provide students or individuals in the organizations we work with an opportunity to learn new skills.  The project should also include participation and benefit to others.

We will only fund projects where $1000 will make a difference.

Criteria for Grants

However, students and iindividuals affiliated with programs with which ActKnowledge works are also eligible to apply. ActKnowledge staff are also eligible to apply for a project that enhances their professional development and helps others.

Types of projects that might be eligible:

1. Training costs for a new skill
2. Conference costs
3. An opportunity to provide a direct service which would provide experience and learning
4. Research and writing
5. Exploration of a new field, topic or setting

Ineligible projects:

1. Work that is part of any course taken for credit, or any academic work for advancement to a degree.  For example, any research directly leading to a dissertation is not eligible.
2. Any work needed for normal work activities.
3. Paid work for another organization or individual.
4. Entrepreneurial activities of any kind.

Grants may serve as seed money for activities that have larger budgets or for activities that the individual is committed to taking on.  For example, an individual chooses to develop a research project about youth civic engagement.  The total amount of time required to complete such a project may far exceed the amount granted by the ActKnowledgement Fund.  However, the individual intends to do this if they can obtain a minimum level of support.  The ActKnowledgement Fund can be used as part of that minimum.

All activities must be legal and within the mission of ActKnowledge.

Application

Prior to submitting a proposal, applicants must sent a brief letter describing their project to Helene Clark and Dana Taplin.   If it is a project that fits our mission, you will then be asked to submit a proposal as follows:

Each applicant must submit a two-page proposal clearly stating:

1. The nature of their project
2. What specifically the grantee will do to further their professional development
3. What the grantee will achieve or accomplish as a result
4. How the knowledge acquired will be of relevance to ActKnowledge’s mission
5. What new learning will be brought to ActKnowledge
6. A timeline for when the activity and product will be completed
7. A description of how the funds will be used.

A copy of the proposal must be submitted to both Dana Taplin and Heléne Clark and will require one month for review.  Email to both hclark@actknowledge.org and dtaplin@actknowledge.org

If ActKnowledgement Fund grants are to be used in conjunction with other funding, the proposal must clearly state how other funding is to be used.  If completion of the project depends on obtaining additional funds, the applicant must agree to either complete a part of the project or turn down an ActKnowledgement Fund grant.  For example, if an individual is trying to fund a small mentoring program which cannot get underway for less than $5,000 and the ActKnowledgement Fund grant is for $1,000, the applicant must specify either what can be done for $1,000 or not accept the grant.

The applicant may be asked for additional materials, which will have to provided for the request to be considered.  An applicant may be asked to provide references, depending on the nature of the project and how well the individual is known to ActKnowledge.

Requirements and Notes

Individuals cannot receive more than 2 grants in a calendar year.

In general, half of the grant will be made to the individual at the beginning of their project, and half will be made upon presentation of a product to ActKnowledge.

However, funds granted to cover specific types of activities will be paid following receipt of documentation about that activity.  Grantees will provide ActKnowledge with documentation in order to receive funds earmarked for specific activities.  For example, if funds are granted to cover conference expenses, the grantee will receive the funds after providing documentation of payment for the conference.

ActKnowledge reserves the right to award grants solely at its discretion based on the merit of the proposal, availability of funds, interest of the project to ActKnowledge, and assessment of the likelihood of the individual to complete and benefit from the activity.

Employees of ActKnowledge may not use normal work time to either write a proposal or conduct any activity funded by an ActKnowledgement Fund grant.

Employees may use personal development days to perform activities funded by an ActKnowledgement Fund grant.

Grantees must agree to present the results of their work to ActKnowledge, in a mutually agreed upon form, such as a brief presentation or submission of a written product.

Grantees agree to credit funding from ActKnowledge in any written or disseminated product.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss any ideas for projects with Heléne Clark and Dana Taplin prior to submitting a proposal.  Encouragement to submit a proposal in no way implies acceptance of the proposal or funding.

ActKnowledgement Fund grants are a bonus available to employees.  Refusal of a proposal in no way reflects negatively on an employee’s status or performance review. Individuals not successful in applying for an ActKnowledgement Fund grant are encouraged to discuss it with Heléne Clark, and Dana Taplin and to submit proposals in the future.

The total number and dollar value of grants may change each year, depending on the needs and resources of ActKnowledge.