2021 PA is Ready! Grant Application
Apr 14 2021 PICC BlogThe 2021 PA is Ready! Grant Application is closed! Please come back in March 2022 for announcements on the next grantmaking cycle!
I. 2021 Application Process:
Application Deadline:
Final applications are due on May 14, 2021. Please submit your application and material via Google platform.
Application Process:
PICC will host an informational webinar on Monday, May 3rd, 4:00-5:00PM to present the framework, grantmaking criteria, application expectations, and answer questions about the grantmaking process.
All potential applicants are required to attend the informational webinar.
Any organizations that are submitting a proposal for the first time are required to schedule a 15-minute call between May 4th and 5th with Sayeeda Rashid, Resource Director, to determine the fit for the PA is Ready! grant.
All final applications received by the posted deadline will be reviewed by the Grantmaking Committee. All final funding decisions will be posted publicly on the PA is Ready! website after decisions are made. Once a final decision is made, PICC will notify the Philadelphia Foundation of final award amounts and funds should be distributed within two to three weeks.
A final application must include:
- PA is Ready! Grant Cover Sheet via Google Platform
- Upload the following:
- Application Narrative
- A completed written PA is Ready! Grant Application. Max 4 pages (writing quality is not considered when evaluating the application); OR
- A video answering the prompts in the PA is Ready! Grant Application. Max 15 minute (video quality and production will not be considered when evaluating the application)
- Completed PA is Ready! Budget Form
- Application Narrative
For new PA is Ready! applicants ONLY (have never received PA is Ready! funding):
- Supporting documents for organizations applying as a 501(c)(3)
- Most recent IRS Form 990 or financial audit
- List of Board of Directors
- Annual Budget for current fiscal year
- 501(c)(3) letter
- Fiscally sponsored organizations must submit:
- List of advisory board or organizational leadership
- Annual Budget for current fiscal year
- The 501(c)(3) letter for the sponsoring organization
Grantee Requirements:
In addition to following the PA is Ready! Principles and Agreements in all work funded through PA is Ready!, grantees must:
- Submit a midyear report and an end-of-the-year report via online reporting form
- Inform Statewide Coordinator of scheduled information sessions, legal clinics, etc. to be included in the PA is Ready! calendar of events
- Participate in regularly scheduled PA is Ready! calls/meetings
Reporting Requirements:
To comply with reporting requirements from local and national funders, all PA is Ready! grantee organizations must complete a midyear report by January 14, 2022 and an end-of-the-year report by July 15, 2022. PICC will organize a webinar in July after grants are awarded to explain all reporting requirements and what information grantees should be tracking as they implement their projects. All grantee organizations are required to attend this webinar.
II. Organization Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible to apply for and receive a grant through PA is Ready! each organization named in an application must meet the criteria below.
1) Organization has 501(c)3 status or a fiscal sponsor
2) Organization follows The Philadelphia Foundation Non-Discrimination Policy:
“It is the policy of The Philadelphia Foundation to support organizations, projects and programs that do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability or any other legally protected characteristics. The Foundation does not knowingly award grants to organizations that discriminate in their hiring, those they accept as volunteers or the clients they serve.”
3) Organization demonstrates a commitment to:
- Community Engagement
- Building leadership of immigrant and refugee communities in advocacy and service projects
- Creating long-term systems change through its work
- Collaborating and sharing information with fellow organizations
- Upholding PA is Ready! Goals and Principles in all work funded through PA is Ready!
- Actively participating in PA is Ready!
4) Organization has demonstrated expertise and experience:
- Community-based organization has demonstrated roots within the community they purport to serve
- Legal service provider has demonstrated experience with providing immigration services
5) All projects must be based in Pennsylvania and intend to serve residents of Pennsylvania
6) Must be current with all grant reports from previous Pa is Ready! Grants.
III. Proposal Guidelines:
PA is Ready! provides grants to collaborative work that is aligned with PA is Ready! goals and fits within the PA is Ready! five-year framework. All work must be based in Pennsylvania and intend to serve residents of Pennsylvania. A maximum amount of $20,000 will be considered to proposals with only one organization. A maximum amount of $30,000 will be considered for a proposals with two organizations.
Examples of collaborative work includes:
- Collaboration between a community-based organization and a legal service provider to provide access to needed services in immigrant communities.
- A legal service provider provides legal support to a community-based organization to advance public case-based campaigns.
- Coordinated community-based response to increased immigration enforcement.
- Partnership between a community-based organization and a technical support organization that aims to build the capacity of the community-based organization in a specific area that fits within the PA is Ready! framework.
Proposals for the following will not be considered:
- General operating or project proposals unrelated to the PA is Ready! goals and framework
- Individuals or scholarship programs
- Research, litigation, or legal expenses unrelated to the PA is Ready! goals and framework
- Capital or endowment campaigns
- State agencies or government programs
- Businesses or business associations
- Reimbursement for services provided by private attorneys
2021 Grantmaking Criteria
Each proposal will be individually evaluated according to the following criteria. Potential factors to be considered are included under individual criteria. Each member of the Grantmaking Committee will assign points to each criteria, for a maximum total of 100 points per proposal.
Are the stated goals attainable and in alignment with the PA is Ready! five-year framework?
- Proposal has a clear plan for achieving goals and addressing challenges
- Proposal clearly fits within five-year framework
Does this proposal target under-represented immigrant communities?
- The project serves geographic area with minimal overlap with other projects
- Project will primarily serve AAPI, African, or other under-represented immigrant communities and groups.
Will this proposal build immigrant leadership and organizing capacity?
- The proposal indicates plan to recruit and train immigrant community leaders and volunteers
- The proposal indicates a plan to engage community leaders, Community Navigators, and volunteers outside of the service portion of proposed project
Does this proposal increase statewide capacity to provide immigration services and/or respond to increased immigration enforcement?
- Does funding allow organization to expand, particularly into underrepresented areas/communities?
- Does the proposal provide for increased opportunities for collaboration with more/different organizations?
Will this proposal provide quality services in the community?
- Legal provider has expertise and capacity to provide adequate attorney coverage at screenings and legal clinics
- Each organization has the experience to provide the proposed services, leadership development, training, etc.
To what extent is the request amount reasonable and in line with expectations?