Proposals for the 2007 grant cycle must be postmarked between October 15, 2006, and December 1, 2006. If your organization meets all the criteria and you would like to apply for a grant, please send a brief proposal of no more than five pages. Organizations recommended for a grant will be contacted by March 15, 2007.
Eligible organizations:
- community-based organizations serving poor and homeless women in their respective states
- federal tax-exempt organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- organizations located near one or more J. Jill stores located in a state listed in priority considerations
Areas of interest: Funding preferences are to support, enhance or expand existing programs rather than fund new (first-year) programs. For example:
- existing programs that provide job training, education, transitional and/or affordable housing to poor and homeless women
- existing programs that break down barriers for poor and homeless women to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency
2007 priority considerations: Funding priority is given to programs and organizations which:
- positively impact poor and homeless women
- directly affect the people served
- are located in one of the following states: Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
- have established a relationship with or connection to one or more J. Jill stores
- are located in a state where a J. Jill Compassion Fund grant has not previously been awarded
Exclusions: Company policy, budget limitations and/or Boston Foundation rules prevent Compassion Fund grants from supporting:
- individuals, including scholarships or travel-related expenses paid to individuals
- political, sectarian, fraternal or religious organizations
- sponsorship of conferences, sporting events, athletic teams or pageants
- advertising in programs, bulletins, yearbooks or brochures
- film or television productions
- national organizations or their local affiliates
- individual clubs, troops or school classrooms
- single disease/issue information and research organizations
- annual operating expenses
- organizations or projects focused outside the United States
What to include in a funding proposal:
- cover memo or letter explaining how the community will benefit from the program
- detailed description of the program to be funded and its purpose
- amount of the funding requested
- contact name, address and phone number (contact will be sent a postcard stating the proposal has been received)
- description of the method for measuring and evaluating program success
- description of promotional plans for the program
- copy of requesting organization’s 501(c)(3) exemption letter
- list of board members and other key affiliations
- current year budget and project budget
- brief history of the organization and a description of its mission