Grant Application Requirements

 
 

How do I get started?

There are many ways to make a difference in central Georgia communities--from building community and school gardens, to teaching youth how to grow their own food and eat healthier, to developing knowledge about landscaping in underserved communities. We have put together a short list of key questions* to help you think through your projects. We also encourage you to reach out and team up with other MGCG gardeners and your UGA extension agent to discuss and grow your ideas. 

  • What are the goals of your project?

  • Does it address local extension goals & state MGEV priorities?

  • What impact will it have on the community it serves? Is this a priority or need for this community?

  • What are you going to teach and how will you to teach it?

  • Does it build relationships with community leaders or partners?

  • How will you recruit MGCG and community volunteers?

  • Are there any special considerations for health and safety, such as social distancing?

  • What is your timeline?

  • What materials do you need? How much will they cost?

*These questions are meant to help you get started. They are not the questions asked on the grant application. 

What questions will be asked on the grant application?

These questions on the grant application are provided below. All questions must be answered and submitted via the online application form.

 Basic Information

  • MGCG Active Member Name

  • I certify that I have received pre-approval for this project from my extension agent. (Yes/No)

  • What is the name of the project?

  • What is the expected timeline for this project? Please provide proposed start and end dates. (no more than 250 words)

  • Which MGEV state priority(s) does this project target?

  • What are the overall goals of this project? (no more than 250 words)

  • Briefly describe the project. (no more than 250 words)

  • Please provide a brief description of the educational value of the project (i.e., how it teaches, models, or shares information with the community)? (no more than 250 words)

  • Please describe the projected sustainability and maintenance plan (i.e., the plan for the project or result of the project after funding is completed). (no more than 250 words)

 Community Engagement & Impact

  • How many MGEVs do you need to make the project a success?

  • How many hours do you need to make this project a success? Please provide total number of hours (e.g., 4 MGEVs x 3 hours = 12 hours)

  • How will grant applications be selected for funding?

  • How many total volunteers from the community do you expect to participate in this project? Do not include MGCG volunteers.

  • How many people from the community it serves do you expect this project to positively impact?

  • If you will be collaborating with another organization for this project, please provide a brief description of how the organization will be involved. (no more than 250 words)

  • Please estimate the value of the collaborating organization. This could include how many volunteers they may provide and any monetary funding or in-kind donations (e.g., materials) that they will contribute to the project. (no more than 250 words)

Budget (up to $400)

  • About how much funding are you requesting? Note: Receipts must be submitted at the end of the project. Remaining funds should be returned.

  • Please provide a detailed budget for the project. Be as specific as possible.

Certification

How will my grant application be reviewed?

The MGCG grants committee will review and recommend funding. The grants committee is made up of MGCG members from the north and south chapters. The grants committee uses selection criteria and a scoring rubric to review grant applications, and meets to discuss applications. Each grant committee member then recommends funding through an online vote.

What selection criteria are used?

The selection criteria and rubric help the grants committee ensure that the project goals can be met (commitment), the project address local and state goals (focus), the project provides education and builds relationships with the community (purpose), and that the project is impactful (audience & impact). Some questions the committee considers are as follows:

Commitment

  • Can the project goals be met with the amount of resources (e.g., funding, materials, volunteer base) and time allocated for the project?

  •  Is there a sustainability plan in place to provide maintenance or administration of the project after the funding is completed?

Focus

  • Does the project address a local extension goal?

  •  Does the project address a Georgia MGEV Program State priority?

Purpose

  • Does the project teach, model, or share information with the general public?

  • Does the project build relationships with community stakeholders?

Audience & Impact

  • Does the project involve community or public participation beyond MGEVs?

  • How many people will this project impact? 

When will I be notified if my project received funding?

Please see DEADLINE & NOTIFICATION.