Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

2017 Granting Information

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Background Information
2) Grants
3) Grantmaking Priorities
4) Apply for a Grant

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Eden Prairie Community Foundation supports programs that align with its mission:
Enriching our community through philanthropy, collaboration & leadership.
Since its beginning in 1981, the Foundation has awarded more than $1.6 million in grants
to 60-plus non-profit organizations for the purpose of enriching the lives of the citizens of
Eden Prairie and its surrounding area. These funds have gone to organizations whose
programs address the cultural, educational, environmental, recreational, and social service
needs of the greater Eden Prairie community.
EPCF Priority Areas
The following are the Eden Prairie Community Foundations priority areas for granting:
Arts & Culture Supports programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our
community through music, visual and performing arts, and museums.
Education Supports programs that provide instruction for children and adults and that
are offered by established institutions or non-profit organizations, as well as programs that
offer learning or community development opportunities.
Recreation & Environment Supports programs that engage children and adults in activities
that improve or sustain the quality of our natural resources. Also supports programs that
provide opportunities for children and adults to engage in sports, fitness, and health and
recreational activities.
Social Services Supports programs that provide for important needs for children and
adults, families, or community needs such as food, shelter, safety, clothing, and assistance
for people with disabilities.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

GRANTS
The Eden Prairie Community Foundation grant programs reflect our desire to be inventive,
inclusive, and reactive to the needs of the community. Some grants are awarded through a
competitive open grant application process and some are not, instead originating at a
donors request or in response to a special opportunity available to our Board.
Discretionary Grants
These programs are established by EPCF's Board and reflect some of the foundation's
highest goals and priorities.
Discretionary Grants - Priority Areas (2017)
Arts & Culture Supports programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our
community through music, visual and performing arts, and museums.
Education Supports programs that provide instruction for children and adults and that
are offered by established institutions or non-profit organizations, as well as programs that
offer learning or community development opportunities.
Recreation & Environment Supports programs that engage children and adults in activities
that improve or sustain the quality of our natural resources. Also supports programs that
provide opportunities for children and adults to engage in sports, fitness, and health and
recreational activities.
Social Services Supports programs that provide for important needs for children and
adults, families, or community needs such as food, shelter, safety, clothing, and assistance
for people with disabilities.
Donor Advised Funds
Donor advised grants are awarded at the recommendation of advised fund donors. Most
awards support nonprofits' general operations or core programs. These grants rarely
involve a competitive process. It is more likely that a donor is aware of the good work of a
nonprofit and recommends support for it.
Community Field-of-Interest Fund Grants
These grants are awarded through funds created with a particular field of interest (e.g.;
early education literacy programs). Volunteer advisory committees, knowledgeable about a
particular region or field, generally recommend grant awards through a competitive
application process.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

GRANTMAKING PRIORITIES
Areas of Focus
Arts & Culture
Education
Environment & Recreation
Social Services
Arts & Culture Supports programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our
community through music, visual and performing arts, and museums.
Education Supports programs that provide instruction for children and adults and that
are offered by established institutions or non-profit organizations, as well as programs that
offer learning or community development opportunities.
Recreation & Environment Supports programs that engage children and adults in activities
that improve or sustain the quality of our natural resources. Also supports programs that
provide opportunities for children and adults to engage in sports, fitness, and health and
recreational activities.
Social Services Supports programs that provide for important needs for children and
adults, families, or community needs such as food, shelter, safety, clothing, and assistance
for people with disabilities.
Eligibility
The Foundation welcomes requests from eligible organizations that meet the following:
Classified as charitable organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code; or classified as an organization under Section 170(c)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code.
Provide service to residents within the City of Eden Prairie. Some funds have a
specific geographic focus area.
Be part of a governmental body (e.g.; schools and parks that serve the people of
Eden Prairie).
Who We Fund
In determining what to fund, consideration is given to the availability of other funding
sources and level of Community Foundation resources. The Foundation concentrates its
funding support toward proposals that demonstrate significant community impact,
including number of Eden Prairie residents touched; however, some field-of-interest
and donor advised funds consider requests for ongoing projects or organizational support.
Please consult with staff for specific fund guidelines.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

What We Do Not Fund

The Foundation does not make grants to/for:
Debt retirement
Endowments
Fundraising activities
General /Administrative expenses of an organization
Individuals (aside from scholarships initiated or managed by the Community
Foundation)
Medical research
Organizations with significant activity considered to be influencing of legislation
Political organizations or campaigns
Religious organizations for religious activities
Requests from re-granting organizations for its own grant making activities
Tickets for benefits
Telephone solicitations

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.

APPLY FOR A GRANT

We are determined to work with you to ensure that your grant application process is as
simple and effective as possible. From inspiration to execution, allow us to partner with
you on your proposed project.
Follow these six simple steps and contact us with any questions you have.
Step 1
Take the Eligibility Quiz
We have developed an online quiz to help you determine whether you qualify for a grant
from the Eden Prairie Community Foundation. We advise that you take the Eligibility Quiz
as a first step. You can find it at http://epcommunityfoundation.org/what-wedo/nonprofits/eligibility-quiz/
Step 2
Submit Inquiry
If our Eligibility Quiz has indicated that you qualify for a Foundation grant, the next step in
the grant application process is submitting an inquiry. In the inquiry, we request to know
some basic information and a description of your project, along with what the selection of
funds that you're applying. An inquiry is strongly encouraged prior to submitting an
application, and can be submitted to Executive Director Mark Weber by e-mail at
mweber@epcommunityfoundation.org.
Step 3
Submit Application
If an inquiry aligns with the Foundation areas of focus, an organization will be encouraged
to submit a full proposal. The Foundation will begin accepting applications Nov. 1, 2016,
with the deadline for submission being Dec. 23, 2016. Applications and materials must be
submitted electronically to Mark Weber by e-mail at weber@epcommunityfoundation.org.
The Foundation accepts the Minnesota Common Grant Application found here:
http://bit.ly/1ep6SB6. Organizations that wish to submit the Minnesota Common Grant
Application are also required to submit the Self-Certifications Checklist found on the
Foundation website at http://epcommunityfoundation.org/what-we-do/nonprofits/howto-apply/, along with other application information.
Step 4
Application Review
Applications are acknowledged shortly after the application deadline. Program staff will
contact you with follow-up questions or for additional information once the review begins.

Eden Prairie Community Foundation

Enriching OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY, COLLABORATION & LEADERSHIP.
Proposals will be reviewed for the strength of the match with funding priorities and
Foundation policies, the potential benefit to the community, the number of residents
impacted, and the capability of the organization to achieve the proposed results.
Step 5
Grant Awarded or Declined
Staff, committees and donor advisors review the proposals with the Executive Director. The
EPCF Board of Directors makes the final grant determination. Organizations will be notified
of the outcome of their proposal once the Board makes the final grantmaking decision. If a
proposal is declined, we encourage the applicant to contact staff to engage in further
discussion regarding the outcome.
Step 6
Funds Disbursed
When a grant is approved, a grant agreement will be sent to the intended organization for
review and completion. Upon the return of the signed agreement, a check will be processed
and awarded.
Grant periods are typically one year, unless otherwise noted. A final project report is due two
months prior to the end of the grant period. Please contact us with questions. E-mail
Executive Director Mark Weber at mweber@epcommunityfoundation.org or call the
Foundation office at (952) 949-8499.