Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
PLEASE NOTE: The foundation is not accepting unsolicited letters of inquiry or proposals. (Updated July 2010)
- How will our organization be notified if we are approved for a grant?
Organizations invited to submit proposals that are approved for grants at the foundation's mid-November board meeting will be notified shortly thereafter via an award letter. The letter will stipulate the terms of the grant, distribution date(s) of the funds, and other relevant information regarding your relationship with the foundation as a grantee.
- How will our organization receive grant payments?
Payments are sent via check through the U.S. Postal Service. The schedule of payments is set by the foundation and is noted in the initial award letter that is sent to grantees notifying them about the grant approval and amount awarded.
- Once our organization has received a grant from The Siragusa Foundation, what are our obligations?
The grantee must carry out the following requirements:
o An acknowledgment letter that includes the program name, the grant amount, and the statement, "No goods or services were provided as a result of this contribution" is to be submitted as soon as possible.
o The Year-End Grant Report covering activities carried out in the funded year must be completed and submitted online from the Grantee section of the foundation's website at www.siragusa.org. The grant report is due no later than 20 days after the end of the grant period, typically mid-January of the following year. Grant reports are only required of grantees receiving a grant in the amount of $2,500 or more.
Additionally, we request the following:
o An updated list of staff contacts for the funded project/program. A Staff Update Form is available in the Grantee section of the foundation's website.
Notification if:
o your tax exemption is revoked or if there are any reasonable grounds to believe that your exemption may be revoked
o you believe that you cannot expend the funds provided for the purposes specified in the award letter
o there is a change in your corporate structure, or
o there is a significant change in your management or operation.
o All grantees to coordinate with foundation staff at least one site visit per year so that the f oundation may observe and more fully understand the programming supported.
- What are The Siragusa Foundation's reporting requirements?
Organizations receiving grants in the amount of $2,500 or more must complete and submit online a Year-End Grant Report detailing the activities carried out in the funded year. Organizations receiving multi-year grants must also complete the grant report at the end of the each year of the grant period.
Please note that the grant report includes a section for reporting of financial information, as well.
- How else will our organization be evaluated during the grant period?
All grantees are encouraged to coordinate with foundation staff at least one site visit per year so that the f oundation may observe and more fully understand the programming supported. The foundation understands that some programs occur during certain times of the year and looks forward to working with its grantees to schedule these visits at the most convenient and appropriate time.
- What if we cannot expend the funds granted during the grant period?
Organizations may not use all the funds granted during the grant period due to several reasons, including: a late project start; a change in key project staff; increased funding from other sources that may reduce the amount required from The Siragusa Foundation in a given year; and/or a change in the project that reduces expenses.
Grantees must notify foundation staff as soon as possible about a change in how or when they will expend the funds granted. The course of action will vary depending on the situation and staff will work with the grantee to establish an appropriate resolution.
- Can our organization request an extension to the award date?
Grantees must communicate with foundation staff regarding a change in their program or project that would affect funding or use of funds from The Siragusa Foundation. Requests to delay or alter the award date for grants will be reviewed for both financial and programmatic feasibility and are not automatically granted.
- What happens if we don't accomplish the goals identified in our proposal by the end of the grant?
Again, the foundation requests its grantees to initiate communication with the staff about the circumstances surrounding a delay or change in the program's/project's progress. It is best to notify the foundation as soon as your organization encounters a challenge so that staff may work with the organization to establish next steps that make sense for both the foundation and the grantee.
If the grantee is still able to complete the project with the grant funds available but simply needs more time, it may request an extension of the grant time period. Grant extensions need prior approval and we ask that grantees submit such a request at least 3 months prior to the end of the grant period so the request may be reviewed and any questions addressed.
- What do I do if I need more time to complete a report or to provide information to The Siragusa Foundation?
We ask that grantees communicate with staff at the foundation as soon as possible to alert them to the situation. Staff will make every effort to work with grantees to ensure thatthey are able to provide the information required in a fashion that is suitable to the organization and to the foundation. Contact Us