In The News

2020 Grant Cycle Begins

Foundation Invites 2020 Grant Proposals

RHI Legacy Foundation is accepting project proposal summaries for 2020 grant funding through Friday, May 15. Current focus areas are chronic disease, healthy eating, and active living. A thorough description of each of the focus areas and eligibility requirements appears in the grants section of their website at www.RHILegacyFoundation.com. RHI Legacy Foundation welcomes proposal summaries from organizations that serve people in Rutherford County. Exempt governmental units, religious institutions, and non-profit entities may submit a proposal.

The proposal summary is a simple questionnaire found on the Foundation’s website. It allows the agency to describe an idea and the impact on the health of the people in our county. Jill Miracle, the Foundation’s Community Impact Director, explained, “We experimented with requesting proposal summaries in advance of full grant proposals in 2019. This allowed Foundation staff to have extra time to discuss the project with agencies and give feedback to the applicants before they spent their time on a full grant application. That process was very effective, and we have adopted that process again for 2020.” In late May, organizations identified as candidates for grant funding will be invited to complete the more detailed application for a potential award.

Agencies that are invited will then apply through the Foundation’s website, where examples of past grants and answers to frequently asked questions are available. The deadline for applications is 5:00 PM on Friday, July 31. Grant applications will not be considered if the proposal summary was not submitted and approved in advance or if either deadline is missed.

Grants will be evaluated based on the measurable impact of the project, the consistency with the mission of the Foundation, the requestor’s ability to sustain the project beyond grant funding, and the project’s adherence to the 2020 focus areas. Agencies selected for approval will receive funds by October 2020. Subsequent progress reports and site visits will be required for partners that receive grant funding.

Agencies with questions about eligibility or who need assistance with the proposal and subsequent application process are encouraged to call the Foundation office at 828-202-4630.

Since 2015, RHI Legacy Foundation has allocated almost $10,500,000 to non-profit entities to create or expand health-related services, to meet the basic needs of county residents, and to provide additional avenues for outdoor and recreational activity.