Overview
THE BIRD CITY CENTURY II DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION, established in Dec 1985, is entrusted with the responsibility, through philanthropy, to provide for the revitalization and enhancement of our community for the benefit of the present and future generations of local residents. As a community foundation, the Bird City Century II Development Foundation is a nonprofit organization that attracts and holds in perpetuity charitable funds. Income from those funds is distributed through grants to charitable nonprofit organizations and public agencies, and is also used to support programs that contribute to community vitality.
The Bird City Century II Development Foundation makes grants from several types of funds, including, but not limited to:
- Discretionary funds enable the Community Foundation to respond with maximum flexibility to emerging and future charitable needs within our community. No restrictions are placed by donors on how these funds are to be used.
- Geographic or Field of Interest funds support charitable organizations and activities within a specific geographic area or within a particular charitable field such as arts and culture, community development, education, civic projects, and health and human services.
- Donor-Advised funds enable donors to recommend distributions to specific charities and activities. While such recommendations cannot be binding, the Community Foundation is pleased to have the opportunity to consider those recommendations when grants are decided upon.
What are the grantmaking criteria?
The Bird City Century II Development Foundation focuses its grantmaking around the theme of community building. The Foundation gives priority to projects or organizations that promote:
- Atttracting new living-wage jobs, and retaining existing jobs.
- Strengthening the capacity of community organizations to do their work.
- Leveraging dollars received from the BCCII to obtain additional or future funding.
- Collaboration among nonprofits, programs, and governmental agencies to enhance services without duplication.
- Raising the effectiveness of an organization or particular service to a higher level.
- Focusing on or addressing a community issue or meeting a community need.
In addition to evaluating each proposal against the above priorities, the Community Foundation asks the following questions about each grant request:
- Does the organization make maximum use of volunteers?
- Does the organization demonstrate sound fiscal management practices?
- How will the work of the organization be evaluated?
Awards generally range in amounts between $500 and $5000; grants of greater or lesser amounts may be considered.
Please Note: Low priority is given to capital campaigns, annual campaigns, and debt retirement. Activities or programs for lobbying are ineligible for Community Foundation funding. Generally, an organization may apply only once within a twelve month period; and applications from organizations with outstanding final reports from prior grants will not be considered.
What is the review process?
The review process includes an initial staff screening, a site visit, and a possible outside independent reader review before the Distribution Committee makes its recommendation to the Board of Directors. Applicants are notified by mail of an award or decline within sixty days of the application deadline.
Do we have to submit a final project report?
Yes. A final project report will be required from all grant recipients. The due date for your final report is 30 days after the date you select as your Project Completion Date in the application.
A final online report will be submitted that includes:
- Receipts of expenditures
- A picture of the project / outcome
- A summary of how the grant funds were utilized
- Results or outcomes of the grant project
- Unused grant funds must be returned to BCCII, PO Box 174, Bird City, KS 67731
Qualifying applicants
Applicants must serve the geographic area of Cheyenne County Kansas. Grants are made to nonprofit organizations exempt from federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and Educational, Governmental, and Religious Institutions. Grants are not made to individuals or businesses.
Please note – there are many nonprofit organizations that fall under a different IRS tax code that are not eligible. Please look into this prior to filling out your application.
Required documents to be uploaded
- Project Budget Spreadsheet – click HERE to download Excel budget form.
- List of organization’s board members and their board positions
- Organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter (exception – Governmental, Educational or Religious Entities)
- Letters of Support (optional)
Applicants must submit an online application; paper applications will not be accepted.
How much funding is available?
Bird City Century II Development Foundation has several funds established for grantmaking. Amounts vary each year.
