Grant FAQs
ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS
Does our organisation need to be a registered charity?
If our organisation is a religious one, can it apply for a grant?
Yes, as long as the project/programme being applied for does not involve religious proselytisation.
Will you consider a proposal from a group of organizations collaborating on a project or program?
Yes. However, when applying for the $100,000 Impact Grant one of the collaborating organizations must be the "lead agency," applying on behalf of the collaboration as if it were an individual organization. The lead agency must be willing to take on all the potential rights, responsibilities, restrictions, and liabilities of the entire grant if the grant is awarded.
Can we apply if we are a local branch of a national organisation?
Yes, but only for projects which will take place in the Wakatipu basin for the benefit of the local community
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
What is the deadline for the EOI?
July 7, 5pm
How do we submit an application?
You must first submit an EOI.
Can we apply under more than one focus area?
Yes, your project can be relevant to more than one focus area.
Can we get advice on our application before handing it in?
For questions regarding Impact100’s guidelines or process, you may contact us. If our team has questions about your Application, we will contact you. Impact100 is committed to a fair, unbiased process. We do not accept unsolicited communication related to topics other than questions about the guidelines or application process.
Should we include brochures, newsletters, videos etc with the initial application?
No. Only send information specifically requested.
The funding we need for our proposal is greater than $100,000. Can we still submit a proposal?
Yes, in fact we expect to be involved in projects larger than $100,000, but you must identify the additional funding sources when answering the questions on budget, and all funding must be in place before the Impact100 grant can be paid.
Can we apply for an amount less than $100,000?
No. Impact100 is looking for proposals that use the full $100,000 grant.
Can we apply as part of a collaboration with another organisation?
Yes. However, when applying for the $100,000 Impact Grant one of the collaborating organizations must be the "lead agency," applying on behalf of the collaboration as if it were an individual organization. The lead agency must be willing to take on all the potential rights, responsibilities, restrictions, and liabilities of the entire grant if the grant is awarded.
What is meant by ‘most recent audited/reviewed financial statements’?
Financial statements are your full financial accounts that include P & L, Balance Sheet, Cashflow statement and Notes to the Accounts where available. We require the most recent set you have available, and, depending on how recent these are, we may ask for more up to date information.
PROCESS AND ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
What is the timeline for the grant process this year?
The following is an outline of this year's grant process timeline:
5 pm July 7th - deadline for Expressions of Interest to be submitted
July 15th - successful EOI submitters asked to make full application
5pm August 27th - grant applications received
Sept 3rd - grant applications circulated to grant committee
By Sept 24th - all visits to/presentations by applicants completed, grant committee members complete their assessment of the applicants
Early October - make final decisions, notify the Final Five
October 20th - Final Five announcement event
Will Impact100 fund technology expenditures?
Yes.
Who vets each proposal?
The Impact100 Grants Committee vets each proposal.
May I fax or mail my proposal to Impact100?
No. Proposals must be submitted as described in the instructions.
Should I attach a cover letter to the proposal?
No. Please use the Online Application Forms.
What happens after we turn in our grant application?
What happens with Site Visits?
For those organisations that have been invited to participate, a mutually convenient date and time is set for a small group of our grants committee members to (Covid-19 permitting) physically visit to meet the people involved in the organisation in order to clarify points and get a feel for the organisation.
Do we need to provide handouts, demonstrations or refreshments for the site visit attendees?
We welcome amplifying information such as brochures or reports and, if applicable, a demonstration of your organisation at work. Refreshments are not necessary or expected. We do also request a space where we can briefly discuss our findings at the end of the visit if this is possible.
What happens at the Grant Awards Event?
The usual process is for the selected finalists to send two representatives to make a 5 minute presentation about their proposals. Impact100 members vote – either before or during the Event - by individual ballot and that vote determines the grant recipient. Grant winners are announced at the Grant Awards Event.
What are some of the reasons applications may not be selected as finalists?
The application does not show how it will be funded after the end of the grant.
A competing organisation may be filling a similar need of the proposed project.
Application is unclear and poorly written.
The proposed budget is not clear or well defined.
The proposal does not fall within the scope of the focus area as defined on the application.
The not-for-profit organisation lacks a proven record of success.
Will you consider a proposal from a group of organizations collaborating on a project or program?
Yes. However, when applying for the $100,000 Impact Grant one of the collaborating organizations must be the "lead agency," applying on behalf of the collaboration as if it were an individual organization. The lead agency must be willing to take on all the potential rights, responsibilities, restrictions, and liabilities of the entire grant if the grant is awarded.
Can an organization apply for the $100,000 Impact Grant individually and as a collaborative project in the same year?
No. Organizations applying for the $100,000 Impact Grant as part of a collaborative project are not eligible to also apply in the same grant cycle for the Impact Grant as an individual organization, and vice versa.
Will you fund capital expenditures as part of a grant proposal?
Yes.
Will you fund construction or renovation as part of a proposal?
Yes.
Can I send additional materials with the application, like one of our brochures or newsletters?
No. Only send information specifically requested.
How does Impact100 select its grant recipients?
Impact100 has a very specific grant selection process that is implemented by members as follows:
A Grant Committee is established and consists of suitably qualified members who volunteer to participate. The committee reviews all applications and assesses how they each meet our granting criteria. The committee’s purpose is to ensure that each finalist put before the membership as a whole would be a deserving recipient and would have the capacity to successfully implement their project.
Site visits are a valuable part of the process as they allow committee members to visit the organizations. They ensure that the committee members are able to fully understand the written grant application and allow them to ask questions, obtain additional information, and clarify the facts pertaining to the grant request.
POST AWARD QUESTIONS
How does Impact100 oversee the distribution of grant funds?
We and the recipient sign a Grant Agreement which stipulates that the recipient agrees to use the funds in accordance with their grant request and Impact100’s procedures.
Impact100 Wakatipu is a sub-fund of the Wakatipu Community Foundation and they require that all grant recipients provide 12-monthly progress reports as well as completing an Acquittal report once all funds have been received.
How does Impact100 disburse the grant funds?
Impact100 distributes grants in accordance with the schedule specified in Grant Agreement.
What is the time period for spending the grant funds?
What else is expected of grant winners?
We hold member events throughout the year and past recipients of grants are invited to come and share their stories as inspiration and information for current and potential members. We also ask the recipients of $100,000 grants to return to the Grant Awards Dinner in the following year to update members on progress since winning the grant.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST QUESTIONS
Can you be a member of Impact100 if you work for an applying organisation?
Yes, but you cannot be involved in reviewing your own organisation’s application.
Can you be a member of Impact100 if you are on the board of an applying organisation?
Yes, but you cannot be involved in reviewing your own organisation’s application.
Who can we contact to discuss our grant application before or after we send it in?
For questions regarding grant guidelines, processes or forms, contact:
OTHER QUESTIONS
Where does Impact100 get the money for its grants?
The funds used for Impact100 grants are privately contributed by Impact100 chapter members in increments of $1,000.
How does Impact100 cover its costs?
How is Impact100 different from the other funders we may apply to?