How to Apply for a Program Opportunity Grant?

Program Opportunity Grant Applications consist of a two stage process of Letter of Intent (LOI) and full proposal. Applicants asked to continue to the full proposal stage will be provided with specific information to guide that effort. LOIs are used by the Foundation as a screening device to determine whether the applicant is proposing a project or program that has a reasonable chance to be implemented in an effective manner and whether the project or program meets the general program interests of the Foundation. Applicants submitting proposals under this process are requesting grant dollars for greater than $10,000 for programs or projects that generally take more than one year to accomplish.

LOIs follow a similar format and submission requirements as described previously for Mini Opportunity Grants.

Letter of Intent Package

Your Letter of Intent package should include an original (with signatures) and four (4) copies of the following:

1. The Rapides Foundation Grant Application Cover Page, a form provided in the back of this booklet and on the Web site. The cover page will provide information about your project and organization to complement the Letter of Intent.
2. In a Letter of Intent of two to four pages, include the following:
   
• Describe your organization's mission and history.
• Describe the problem or need to be addressed by your proposed project or program. Be specific as to how the issues impact your proposed target group(s) or community(ies).
• Describe the project through a summary presentation of the timeline, activities, partners and other factors necessary to consider in assessing the potential for effectively impacting the problem or issue described above.
  Describe the proposed results of your project in measurable terms. Tell us how you will collect and measure the information.
• Describe how the project can be sustained both financially and organizationally, after the proposed Foundation funding concludes.
  
  
3. Other Supporting Information
   
• A copy of the organization's 501 (c)(3) designation letter from the IRS. 
• A budget worksheet using the form found in the Applying for Funds booklet and on our Web site. 
• Copy of your organization's most recent IRS 990 report (nonprofit tax return).  If a 990 report has not previously been required, explain why.  Attach a copy of the most current annual audit or financial report, if available.
• List of board members including names and addresses, professional/community affiliations and board tenure.

Submission Information for Program Opportunity Grants / Letters of Intent

Letters of Intent and supporting information must be received in our office on or before the May 15 and October 15 deadline in order to be considered in that grant cycle. Applications may be clipped, but otherwise unbound. Incomplete application packages or packages not in the requested format will be returned to the applicant. 

Applications should be submitted to:

Grant Administrator
The Rapides Foundation
1101 Fourth Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, LA  71301

Office Hours:  8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Back to Applying for Funds
Types Of Available Grants
Who Is Eligible To Apply?
How do I Apply for a Mini Opportunity Grant?
The Decision Making Process