Frequently Asked Questions
about the Northeast Florida Grant Program

q
What advice can you provide for a successful application?
a          Read all of the instructions and frequently asked questions  
            Submit all requested information by the deadline.
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  • Be certain that the program makes a significant impact on individuals' self-reliance and convey this in your funding request.
  • Submit an appropriate budget. Our grants range from a minimum of $25,000 to a maximum of $100,000. The Sontag Foundation will carefully review the budget needs addressed in each proposal before determining the size of grant to be offered,  Very few $100,000 grants have been awarded.
  • If you have submitted an application in previous years, do not resubmit for a program which was not funded.  There are many valuable programs meeting the needs of individuals in our community without advancing self-reliance. Although important, these programs do not meet our funding criteria.
  • Programs assisting individuals' specific, near-term goals aiding in self-sufficiency are often given preference.
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q
Our program does increase self-sufficiency of individuals, yet was turned down for funding. May we resubmit?
a
Your request was carefully reviewed in previous grant cycle(s) and other programs were selected over yours. We are not able to fund all program requests, so our board selects those which are deemed the best fit for our goals. Your time is valuable and it would not be in your best interest to request funding for the same program again unless you were specifically invited to do so.
q
How do you characterize self-sufficiency?
a
Wikipedia defines self-sufficiency as "the state of not requiring any aid, support, or interaction for survival." We would certainly disagree with the inclusion of interaction in that definition, but basically agree that programs we seek to support should be equipping individuals with the tools they need to be able to support themselves. We recognize that there are numerous barriers to self-sufficiency and that timelines for attaining self-sufficiency vary greatly from person to person and program to program.
q
What do you mean by "specific, quantifiable data" regarding improved self-sufficiency of individuals?
a
The quantifiable (also referred to as quantitative) data you share should provide measurements of objective outcomes verifying how your program improves the self-sufficiency of individuals who are served. You need to share much more information than just how many people have participated in your program.  It should show how many people have achieved various objective milestones which lead to self-sufficiency. Perhaps it would measure how many individuals have completed training, found employment, or have secured housing or whatever relates to the goals of your program.  This differs from qualitative data which describes outcomes in subjective terms.  Qualitative data would describe how the program impacts people or describe how participants feel about themselves.  Anecdotal evidence is qualitative. In short, measure specifics rather than describe generalities.
q
Would The Sontag Foundation consider a matching program to help an organization secure funding for program needs?
a
Yes, our grant could be used to leverage additional funding or to satisfy a match.
q
Why are there two different application forms?  Do organizations that previously received funding from your foundation have a better chance of being funded this year?
a
Let me answer your second question first.  Previously funded organizations are not given preference. Each program request is evaluated on its own merit, and funding is awarded to programs we feel will have the most impact on the self-reliance of individuals in our community.
The Preliminary Grant Request is designed to provide our board with general information about an organization and specific information about a particular program need. Any organization not previously funded needs to provide all the information requested on that form.
The Subsequent Grant Request takes into consideration that we do not need another introductory overview of an organization with which we already have a funding relationship. Most of the information solicited is program-specific and provides an opportunity for applicant organization to justify a request for additional funding. A "returning" organization applying for funding for a new program will not be able to answer 2 of the 3 questions at the bottom of page 2 so N/A is acceptable. Likewise, the first question on page 3 does not fit a new program.  Indicate that this is a new program, then provide the metrics you expect to track and why you anticipate they will indicate improvements in self-sufficiency.
q
How frequently can an organization apply for funding from The Sontag Foundation?
a
Preliminary Grant Requests and Subsequent Grant Request will only be accepted one time each year during the designated grant cycle. October 2, 2012 was the grant application deadline for all organizations seeking funding for 2013.
q
Why do you request the EIN's of our organization and any related entities?
a
Often, budgets and missions of related entities are intertwined. Since we want to understand the structure of your organization, knowing about related entities is instrumental.  Failure to disclose related entities may render your application ineligible.
q
Can you share any hints in submitting the required information?
a
Yes.
  • The Preliminary Grant Request should be completed by organizations that have never received a grant from The Sontag Foundation.  If your organization has received funding from this foundation in the past, the Subsequent Grant Request must be utilized. Whichever form you use, do a "save as" before submitting it to the foundation and name it "your organization's name_2013Request"
  • Forms may have frustrating compatibility issues if completed on Mac computers. You will want to prepare the form on a pc.
  • Before starting, make sure your computer has the most recent free version of Adobe Acrobat (8.16 or higher)
  • Save the blank form (an electronically fillable pdf) on your computer, then save it again periodically as a working copy of your grant request.
  • Answers should be concise. Fields on the form are set to accept a certain number of words. The word count for each answer is indicated in ( ) after the question. Once you reach the limit, you will not be able to add additional information for that question unless you edit what is already written.
  • Some people have found it easier to compose their answers in a WORD document so that the word count for each section can be easily tracked. Then, edited information can be pasted into our form.
  • Make certain that all requested information is submitted on time and as attachments to one email (or 2 emails sent back to back.) 
  • Name each document exactly as specified in the instructions. If your organization's name is commonly abbreviated by or for the general public, that abbreviation can be utilized.
  • Any unsolicited attachments will not be read and could render your grant request ineligible.
  • Proof all documents carefully BEFORE you attach to an email and press send. Due to the high number of applications received, we are not able to revise forms, replace attachments or rename documents.
q
I am confused about what you want in the budget attachment for preliminary request.
a
Please provide an overview of the 2013 budget (income and expenditures) for the requested program. You should indicate which expenditures would be covered by a grant from The Sontag Foundation.  If salary support is part of your request, provide detail including job title, employee's name and role in program provision.  If your organization's core mission is met through the provision of just one program, you will be providing your organization's full annual budget. 
q
Is there someone at the foundation who could answer my additional questions?
a
Yes, for technical questions regarding completion of the forms, Maria Sullivan is available at 904-273-8755 or msullivan@sontagfoundation.org between 8 am and 3 pm Mondays through Thursdays and Friday mornings.  For questions regarding eligibility of a program or content of funding request, contact Kay Verble at 904-273-8755 or kverble@sontagfoundation.org.