Grants to Ignite Innovation and Advance the Mission of The Arc Maryland

SpArc Tank Ig-Nite – November 21st, 2024

Download Our SpArc Tank FY24 Impact Report

Background and Purpose

The SpArc Tank is a unique opportunity and process through which innovative ideas for projects to advance the mission of The Arc Maryland are presented in competition for board-designated funding. The awarded funding is expected to be used to facilitate the success of the project or initiative within a prescribed timeframe and is intended to ignite change through the development of new technology, resources, devices, or other initiatives to enhance the lives of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Maryland.

Our Mission: The Arc Maryland works to create a world where children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have and enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

The Arc Maryland, through its solicitation attempts, shall endeavor to award funds to projects that have either statewide impact or local impact with possible future statewide replicability. We encourage applications from Maryland-based organizations and individuals with and without disabilities. Please see the following FAQs below for additional information about the opportunity.

Applying for SpArc Tank Funding

Applications for 2024-25 SpArc Tank Funding are now closed. Check back next year for another opportunity to apply! Applicants will be notified via email by October 25th if they have advanced to the second round of review (advancing to in-person presentations to the Board of Directors, Sponsors, and Event Attendees) on November 21, 2024.

Support the Community as a SpArc Tank Ig-Nite Sponsor

Seize the opportunity to strengthen and support innovative projects from non-profits that improve the lives of Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities. You can become a SpArc Tank Ig-Nite sponsor and have a positive impact on the community! Your sponsorship goes directly back to the community. Check out the full list of benefits below.

Review Our Sponsorship Opportunities

Examples of SpArc Tank Projects

College and Career Readiness: Down Syndrome Network of Montgomery County (DSNMC)

With the help of SpArc Tank, DSNMC created the College and Career preparation pilot for individuals with Down syndrome. Over three months, DSNMC offered six college and career preparation sessions featuring assessment and exploration of values, interests, needs, and skill-building for success. Program support included five individuals with Down syndrome who guided participants through the program, with one person serving as a project assistant and four people serving as peer mentors.

Exploring Neighborhoods Building a Network of Natural Support for People with IDD: SEEC

With the help of SpArc Tank, SEEC has worked on turning their “neighborhood walks” into a practice that other provider organizations around Maryland can do, too! SEEC’s “neighborhood walks” are opportunities for people with IDD they support to explore their community. Through the “neighborhood walks,” participants map out their community with encounters, activities, and opportunities for them to explore further and create their own social capital. The practice has given people supported by SEEC a better understanding of their local community in a way that they can personalize to their own needs and interests. SEEC has developed a “community of practice” that two other service providers have since joined!

FAQs

What is the Grant Award Amount?

A number of grants are expected to be awarded in the amount of $7,500 or less.

How are proposals judged?

Each proposal received by The Arc Maryland will be judged on the following by our review team:

Project Innovation
Project Impact
Project’s Timeline and Desired Goals
Demonstrated soundness of the organization/the applicant and ability to fulfill the commitment for the project.
Alignment with The Arc Mission

Additionally, being a member of or partner of a chapter of The Arc is preferred, but not required.

When does the Request for Funding Proposals open and when is the deadline for proposals?

The Request of Funding Proposals is now open! The deadline to submit proposals was on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at noon.

What is the process for application and notification?

Applications must be submitted by email to grants@thearcmd.org. Incomplete submissions will not be reviewed. After the complete submissions are determined, they will be forwarded to the SpArc Tank grant review committee. Those applicants that are chosen for the second round of review will then be notified to attend an in-person presentation of their proposal on the evening of November 21, 2024. Those who are chosen for funding will be notified that evening and must return their grant agreements by December 5, 2024. The funded work will begin after the signing of grant agreements.

When will decisions be made and awardees notified?

Applicants will be notified via email by October 25th if they have advanced to the second round of review (advancing to in-person presentations to the Board of Directors, Sponsors, and Event Attendees) on November 21, 2024. Decisions made by both The Arc Maryland’s SpArc Tank grant review committee and Board of Directors are final.

The second-round review consists of invited applicants giving their “pitch” at SpArc Tank Ig-Nite on November 21st. This must be delivered in-person.

What are some examples of activities that may be proposed under this grant program?

The Arc Maryland is interested in new products, resources, studies, projects, trainings, or other initiatives that will enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities either directly (for example, a prototype for a new piece of adaptive equipment) or indirectly (for example, restaurant customer service training for ways to prepare for all customers, including customers with developmental disabilities, to have positive dining experiences).

What can the funds NOT be used for?

Activities inconsistent with the mission of The Arc Maryland.
Activities that benefit only 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.
Vehicles, but a small portion of funds may be used to cover accessible transportation/trip costs. (aka Transportation for individuals with disabilities in order to facilitate their participation)
Activities with a religious focus/religious components or political focus/political components.
More than 10% of overhead for a project.

Who is eligible to apply?

Individuals or community-based organizations with the requisite interest, skills, and demonstrated qualifications to meet the goals and honor the mission of The Arc Maryland.

How do you submit the SpArc Tank Grant proposal?

SpArc Tank Grant applications and a ZIP file of all attachments must be submitted to grants@thearcmd.org for first-round consideration.

What is the time period for the grant project, activity, resource, training, or event proposed?

All activities must be completed before September 12, 2025. This is currently a non-recurring, OTO grant with no 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. An interim report will be due in May 2025 with a final report due in October 2025.

In addition, those whose proposals are selected for advancement within the process must commit to attending the in-person “pitch” of their proposal on the evening of November 21, 2024.

How are grant funds distributed?

Grant funds are generally paid as reimbursement, net 30 days after completed interim or final reports are received and approved.

What is an operating budget?

An operating budget is an estimate of the income and expenditures of an organization over a set period of time. For the purpose of this grant, your operating budget would be developed for your project scope only (not the entire organization’s operations). Include components and costs associated with your project, and sources of income to cover the costs of your project. These may be grant funds only, grant funds and organizational funds, grant funds and other funding sources (such as donations), grant funds and in-kind contributions, or any combination of these things.

What is Overhead?

Overhead refers to costs directly related to running/operating a business. Per example: rent, insurance, fringe, and other peripheral operating expenses. You do not need to include overhead expenses in your project budget, but if you choose to do so, that amount cannot exceed 10% of your total grant request.

Can I put rent in my budget for an office/rent/mortgage for space I need in addition to asking for overhead support?

No. Overhead includes rent and the grant committee only allows for overhead to consume a maximum of 10% of the total grant amount. If your proposed SpArc activity is to put on a special awareness event, and includes the need for a one-time facility rental cost, you could put this expense in your funding request instead of overhead, but the amount should not constitute the majority of your project expense.

What are some examples of how a grantee may “disseminate findings and outcomes of the project” upon completion?

Disseminate means “share.” We are asking for how you will share the outcomes of your project so that others may learn of the advances you made, and successes you had, and may possibly be able to replicate your success through their own projects. SpArc Tank funds are designed to inspire innovation. We want the good work being done with funds to be shared far and wide.

Can part of the SpArc Tank funding be used with any fees associated with opening a non-profit?

No. SpArc funding may only be used to facilitate the project itself. It may not be used for non-profit filing fees, attorney’s fees, consulting fees to stand up a non-profit etc. That is not the purpose for which this grant funding has been authorized, or the purpose for which the funds are intended. If you are not currently a non-profit and are looking for a non-profit partner for your project idea, please consider contacting a local chapter of The Arc. To find your local Arc Chapter, please click here.

If I partner with a community-based organization to apply for SpArc Tank, who will be responsible?

In short, you both may. We recommend you develop an MOU or MOA with your partner non-profit to clarify roles and responsibilities. Reimbursement for expenses will only be issued to the qualified organization.

If two organizations are applying for SpArc Tank in partnership, what kind of documentation do we need to submit?

There are two ways to answer this question. Under one option, both organizations could apply and submit their required documentation for consideration to be joint grantees of record. Under a second option, one organization could be the primary applicant with the second organization taking on a supporting role in the project. The primary applicant ONLY would need to submit their required documentation for consideration. That organization would be the only one who would receive reimbursement funds for the project. In both cases, we recommend the creation of an MOU or MOA to clarify roles and responsibilities of both organizations and we recommend you make roles clear for reviewers in your proposal for best consideration.

Please note that the grant amounts available will not be doubled just because more than one organization is on the application. Grants are considered and awarded on a project basis. One project = one grant possible.

Can funds be used for hiring personnel to support the activities of the grant?

Yes, if specific personnel/consultants/trainers, etc. are integral to the project, grant funds may be included in your proposed budget for this purpose.

Can funds be used for developing and implementing a curriculum?
Yes.

Can you provide an example of a project budget?

Yes, however, your one-page budget should be customized for YOUR idea/device/development/training/ app/tech, etc. Our one-page budget form is very easy to complete. You will need to include the total cost for each grant-related expense and provide revenue source amounts for each expense. You can download the Grant Proposed Excel Budget Form using this link.

What could be considered in-kind, and what is in-kind time valued at?

Donated time, donated meeting space, and donated supplies are all examples of in-kind support to a project. In-kind time is valued at $28.50/hour.

Can an organization apply for more than one project?

Yes, organizations are welcome to submit more than one proposal, but please have in mind that The Arc Maryland will only be considering funding one project per organization.

Can a limited liability company (also known as LLC) apply to SpArc Tank?

Yes, as long as they have an EIN with the IRS, are organized as a not-for-profit LLC, and are registered on SDAT as an active LLC in good standing.

Who do I contact if I have questions about this opportunity or the grant process?

Please contact Coni Nepomuceno at CNepomuceno@TheArcMD.org.