Each application goes through a process whereby we make sure the baseline legal requirements are met and the project falls within the overall goals the Community Foundation has set for its grantmaking program. Not all steps are applicable to all applications, but the initial review process at the staff level consists of the following:
Project serves Branch County and/or Colon.
Project fits the Foundation’s grantmaking guidelines (e.g. nondiscrimination, etc.).
If proposal is submitted to a specific fund, the project meets the fund’s criteria, interest area, etc. as detailed in the fund agreement. For donor advised funds, this may be determined through a written donor recommendation.
The application is complete.
Staff verifies that the applicant has submitted required evaluations for any prior grants.
Organization is tax-exempt according to Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and/or project’s purpose is clearly charitable or educational under the Code. Document is checked to make sure it is current (Guidestar or other independent source). - Request the potential grantee’s IRS tax-exempt letter. - Assure the potential grantee’s exempt status has not been revoked.
Determine if the public charity is a supporting organization. If so, there please check Additional Due Diligence and Expenditure Responsibility.
Assure the organization’s Michigan License to Solicit is valid.
Check Michigan nonprofit corporation annual report submission status on LARA.
