GRANT GUIDELINES

WHO CAN APPLY

Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)) or public entities for programs and projects that serve/benefit the residents of and that take place in the Red Rock area.

GRANT INFORMATION

Jonathan Schor (1946-2004), a resident of Red Rock for thirty years, established the Quailwood Fund before he died to create an endowment to generate annual grants “to provide community support in the Red Rock, Columbia County, New York area for public services and improvement of the quality of life, for conservation work, public recreation facilities, fire and rescue facilities and educational scholarships.”

According to Jon’s wishes, the Quailwood Fund has an advisory committee that consists of the presidents of the Red Rock Volunteer Fire Company, the Red Rock Historical Society, the Canaan Conservation Club, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the executive director of the Columbia Land Conservancy.

The Quailwood Fund and its Advisory Committee looks to the long term needs of the Red Rock community. It remains open to new ideas and possibilities to improve and enrich the quality of life for the residents of Red Rock.

Through its grantmaking programs, the Quailwood Fund works to help retain a strong sense of community in Red Rock by bolstering community gatherings, encouraging a diversity of participation in the life of the community and supporting a wide range of social and economic opportunities for residents.

ELIGIBILITY

Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)) or public entities for programs/projects that serve/benefit the residents of, and that take place in, the Red Rock area as defined by the Quailwood Fund. The exception to this requirement is the Conservation Club whose projects must serve Red Rock residents but may not all be located in the Red Rock area.

Applications for capital improvements, equipment purchase and other capital acquisitions will be considered provided that they afford maximum community benefit.

While applications for publicly funded infrastructure projects (those paid for by tax dollars) are welcome, they need to focus on augmenting the public service rather than replacing them or building them anew.

The Foundation does not support organizations which in their constitution, by-laws or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief.

AWARDS

Awards will generally range between $500 and $10,000. There may be a larger amount allocated (up to $20,000) for a project of particular significance or urgency for the community.

All Quailwood General Fund grants will require a 1:1 match. For grants of $7,500 and under, a minimum of 50% of the match must be in cash. For grants over $7,500, a minimum of 25% of the match must be in cash. In both cases, the balance may be in donated goods and/or services.

Applications for multi-year grants (up to 3 years) will be considered. The grantee will be required to file an annual report for review before the subsequent year’s funds will be released.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed fairly and competitively by the Fund for Columbia County advisory committee. Selections are based on the review criteria stated below.

All applications must meet the goals of the Quailwood Fund and reflect its overall purpose as described above. The following specific criteria will also be used to evaluate grant proposals to the Quailwood General Fund.

• Quality: How worthy is the project? Is it the right time for this project? Does it involve qualified individuals or organizations? Is it well conceived? Does it fit well with other related activities and priorities? Is it cost effectivec?
• Extent of Impact: What is the potential impact of the project or service on the community? Does it engage the community? Does it address an unmet need in the community? Is it a critical program or initiative at this time?
• Feasibility: Can the applicant complete the project? Does the organization or individual exhibit a demonstrated capacity to initiate and successfully execute similar projects? Are the appropriate staff members or volunteers involved? Is the staff/group capable and stable enough to perform the tasks necessary to complete the proposed project? Can the match be met?