To Facilitate Positive Community Interactions Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and First Responders
*Applications are not currently being accepted, grant period has closed*
Background & Purpose
The Ethan Saylor Alliance (Alliance) was signed into Maryland law in 2016, ‘to advance the community inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities (I/DD) by preparing and supporting self-advocates to play a central role in educating persons about appropriate and effective interactions with individuals with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities.’
In fulfilling the Alliance’s broad purpose, community-based organizations, serving people with I/DD, have the knowledge, history, and skill-set to successfully collaborate with people with I/DD and first responder stakeholders to increase mutual understanding among these two groups.
The Arc Maryland is one of the state’s leading community-based organizations and has been serving people with IDD and their families for decades. The Arc Maryland is a 501(c)3 organization in Good Standing, operating in the state of Maryland. It is considered to be the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to the rights and quality of life of persons with I/DD and their families. The organization has a demonstrated capacity to administer grants for initiatives to benefit individuals with I/DD and their families throughout the state of Maryland, provide training to diverse groups of people, and promote positive systems change for the benefit of all people. The Arc Maryland has contracted with the Maryland Department of Disabilities to continue the work of the Ethan Saylor Alliance in the capacity of a grant review organization.
In the capacity of a grant reviewer/small grant administrator of the Ethan Saylor Alliance Fund, The Arc Maryland is tasked with soliciting, reviewing, and awarding applications to community-based organizations interested in developing and facilitating positive community interaction programs/activities with intellectual and developmental disability communities and first-responder stakeholders (including but not limited to law enforcement).
The objectives to be met through grantee activities are as follows;
- Reduce stigma
- Increase safety
- Inspire relationships of acceptance and support for all Marylanders
The Arc Maryland, through its solicitation attempts, shall endeavor to secure state-wide impact of the fund, and shall endeavor to make awards for events, training, and activities occurring throughout the state (Eastern, Southern, Central and Western regions) as preferred to concentrated areas of activity.
FAQs
What is the average Grant Award Amount?
The average grant award amount is expected to be $5000 but consideration will be given to proposals for smaller projects at as little as $1000 requested, and more expansive projects where as much as $10,000 is requested. No grant requests over $10,000 will be considered.
When is the Request for Funding Proposals open and when is the deadline for proposals?
The RFP is open now. The deadline for proposals is 5 PM on March 13th, 2019.
Any proposals received after 5 PM on March 13th, 2019 will be put on a waitlist and may be considered if any funding is available after the first round of proposal evaluations and decisions are made.
When will decisions be made and awardees notified?
Applicants will be notified via email by March 18th, 2019 of final funding decisions. Decisions are made by The Arc Maryland’s Small Grant review committee and are final.
If The Arc Maryland finds it has received an insufficient number of viable requests in the first round of the RFP, it is possible that proposals received after March 13 th, 2019 may be evaluated and selected for funding on a rolling basis until the Ethan Saylor Alliance small grant fund is expended.
How will decisions be made about proposals?
All complete proposals received will be properly considered and evaluated. Preference for funding will be given to projects led or co-led equally by people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Activities must be cross-disability focused (with no focus on supporting people with one particular disability).
Incomplete proposals will not be considered. All required attachments must be submitted with proposals for them to be considered complete.
What are some examples of activities that may be proposed under this grant program?
The Arc Maryland is interested in projects, trainings, events and other positive community interaction programs and activities between intellectual and developmental disability communities and first-responder stakeholders (including but not limited to law enforcement).
What can the funds NOT be used for?
- Activities inconsistent with the mission of The Arc Maryland or the purpose of The Ethan Saylor Alliance
- Activities that benefit one individual or family
- Direct services for people with developmental disabilities
- Food, unless necessary for the success of the activity
- T-shirts, buttons or similar marketing materials
- Purely social activities or events
- Fundraising
- Equipment or vehicles, but a small portion of funds may be used to cover accessible transportation/trip costs (aka Transportation for individuals with disabilities who are police trainers)
- Activities with a religious focus/religious components or political focus/political components
- Activities that do not substantially include the participation of individuals with developmental disabilities
- More than 8% of overhead for a project
Who is eligible to apply?
Community-based organizations with the requisite interest, skills, and demonstrated qualifications to meet the goals and honor the purpose of the Ethan Saylor Alliance.
How do you submit the Small Grant proposal?
Small Grant applications and all attachments including the Small Grant budget form must be submitted to grants@thearcmd.org no later than 5 PM on March 13th, 2019 for first-round consideration.
If there are any grant funds remaining after the first round of awards is made, proposals received after 5 PM on March 13th, 2019 may be considered.
What is the time period for the grant project, activity, training or event proposed?
All activities must be completed before the end of the fiscal year (June 30, 2019). This is a nonrecurring, OTO grant with no current opportunity for renewal from The Arc Maryland.
What agreements are required for funding and what are the reporting requirements?
Grant recipients will be required to complete standard affidavits and commitment documents for the use of the grant funding, as well as a contract for the use of the funding. The contract will define dates that interim and final reports are due, and amounts of funding which may be drawn down/requested for reimbursement with the submission of the completed reports.
How are grant funds distributed?
Grant funds are generally paid net 15 days after complete interim and final reports are received and approved.
Who do I contact if I have questions about this opportunity or the grant process?
Please contact Kathy Swanson, Director of Education and Advocacy for The Arc Maryland. Kathy may be reached via email at kswanson@thearcmd.org or by calling 410-571-9320.