Community Innovation Grants

1. Community Innovation Grants Community Innovation Grants in partnership with the Bush Foundation

2. Community Innovation Grants Application • The deadline to apply for the current grant cycle is September 15, 2014. Applications must be postmarked by that date or due in Headwaters’ officeby 5:00 p.m. • Organizations can apply for $500 to $10,000 • Applications can be mailed or delivered to: Headwaters Foundation for Justice Attn: Monica Bryand 2801 21st Ave S, Suite 132B Minneapolis, MN 55407 • We will not accept electronic applications or applications not received by the deadline. Applications must be postmarked by September 15, 2014.

3. Headwaters’ Grantmaking Process • Headwaters uses an activist-led grantmaking process, we select a volunteer committee of 10 social justice activists and organizers from the community to review and select the organizations that will receive Community Innovation Grants. • Our grantmaking process timeline: • The Community Innovation Grants will be offered Quarterly • The deadline to apply for the current grant cycle is September 15, 2014 • Notification – Organizations will be contacted by Dec. 1st

4. Community Innovation Grants Program Description Community Innovation Grants support communities to use problem-solving processes that lead to more effective, equitable and sustainable solutions. We think of this as civic R&D, allowing communities to develop and test new solutions to community challenges. The Community Innovation Grants will be offered quarterly. The deadline to apply for the current grant cycle is September 15, 2014.

5. Community Innovation Theory of Change

6. Grant Criteria: New project or process The project or process must be completed within 1 year.

7. Grant Criteria: The Bush Foundation’s Community Innovation Grants If your organization is currently being funded or is seeking funding through the Bush Foundation’s Community Innovation Grants ($10,000-$200,000), and you are seeking funding for the same work, the work is not eligible to receive funding from this grant.

8. Grant Criteria: Fit with Community Innovation Grants Program Does the project use inclusive, collaborative and resourceful processes? Inclusive: meaningfully engaging key stakeholders - thoughtfully identifying those needed to create the intended change and, whenever possible, including those directly affected by the problem. Collaborative: a true joint effort among partners. Continued…

9. Grant Criteria: Fit with Community Innovation Grants Program Does the project use inclusive, collaborative and resourceful processes? (continued) Resourceful:Using existing resources and assets creatively to make the most of what a community already has. Is the process likely to lead to a community innovation - a breakthrough in addressing a community need or opportunity that is more effective, equitable or sustainable than existing approaches?

10. Grant Criteria: Implementation Is the project plan thoughtful, realistic and does it address the identified community need? Does the applicant have the capacity to execute the work effectively or have a plan to meet the needed capacity?

11. Grant Criteria: Impact Is the project likely to make a significant, sustainable difference, now or in the future? Will the project inspire or inform others?

12. Grant Criteria: Additional Considerations We will seek a portfolio of Community Innovation grantees with balance across: Size of community impacted Size of applicant organization Size of grant request Demographics of communities served Organizations in urban and rural Minnesota Type of issue addressed

13. Grant Criteria: Additional Considerations At least 50% of Community Innovation grants will be projects that address racial and economic disparities. For the purposes of this grant program, We define this as proposals that seek to actively reduce structural and/or systemic gaps in access, outcomes, opportunities or treatment based on race/ethnicity or economic standing.

14. Headwaters Grantmaking Funds In addition to the Community Innovation Grants Headwaters has two additional grantmaking Funds: • Social Change Fund –supporting a broad range of environmental, social, economic and racial justice organizing • Fund of the Sacred Circle – supporting organizing by the American Indian community

15. Headwaters Grantmaking Funds Organizations may receive only one grant from the Social Change Fund or the Fund of the Sacred Circle within a 12-month period. Current Social Change Fund or Fund of the Sacred Circle grantees are eligible to apply for the Community Innovation Grants. If you are a current Community Innovation Grantee through Headwaters Foundation for Justice, your organization needs to have all reports submitted prior to re-applying for the next round of Community Innovation Grants.

16. Wrapping Up… • Headwaters wants to make sure you use your time wisely. There is so much great work happening in our community, but unfortunately the majority of it does not meet Headwaters’ Funding Criteria. • Use the staff at Headwaters to: • Help decide if you are a fit and should apply • Help determine the appropriate level at which to apply Please remember, we are contacted by hundreds of organizations every quarter. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your questions answered. Contact: • Program Director –Monica Bryand monica@headwatersfoundation.org or 612-879-0602#10 • Program Officer –Kate Nelsonkate.nelson@headwatersfoundation.org or 612-879-0602#14

17. Wrapping Up… Seeking a Community Innovation Grant of more than $10,000? The Bush Foundation provides Community Innovation Grants for projects with budgets of $10,000 - $200,000. There will be two Community Innovation Grant open application periods in 2014: January 14th to March 13th and late-August to late-October. www.bushfoundation.org/community-innovation/grants