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NATIONAL CASA ASSOCIATION GRANTS PROGRAM JULY 2015 CONTACT US:

OBJECTIVES FOR THE WEBINAR: Review the 2015 National CASA annual grants policy Learn about grants categories and the criteria and eligibility requirements for each Discuss the 2015 grant application materials and timeline Understand the application review process Identify points of contact at National CASA for technical assistance Answer your questions

2015 GRANTS POLICY

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Fund our strategy Allocate funding with greater impact Position ourselves for funding increase Manage more effectively and efficiently Increase accountability

ALIGNMENT TO OUR STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK Grant funding will support Enabling Focus Areas

2015 GRANTS POLICY DEVELOPMENT State Steering Committee (SSC) discussed grant strategy and directed National CASA staff to develop draft annual grants policy Discussion and vetting of draft grants policy by SSC SSC reviewed policy and voted unanimously to support National CASA Program Committee reviewed and recommended annual policy to full National CASA board of trustees Review and approval by Board of Trustees Ongoing engagement of and input from the CASA/GAL network

2015 GRANTS POLICY SUMMARY National CASA Association will sub-award $1.7 million in competitive grants to state and local CASA/GAL organizations in four categories for The grants cycle will begin October 1, 2015 and end on September 30, 2016.

2015 GRANTS POLICY SUMMARY For the 2015 grants cycle, National CASA strategically seeks to partner with state and local CASA/GAL programs to identify and strengthen demonstration projects which will significantly increase the impact of the CASA/GAL program and that can be replicated across the network. Available grant funds will be focused on best practices under consideration as demonstration projects.

QUESTIONS

GRANT CATEGORIES, CRITERIA, AND ELIGIBILITY

Local CASA/GAL Grants Competitive, internal review based upon set criteria with input from state offices with the goal to increase number of children served Growth Select three to five proposals: States with a state organization, working collaboratively with local programs to significantly increase the number of abused and neglected children served by CASA/GAL volunteers Development Select up to five proposals: States without a formal state organization States with a state organization with limited capacity Resource Select up to eight proposals: No direct monetary support but would receive targeted and enhanced resources, expertise, and technical assistance to support a statewide project in key strategic areas SUMMARY OF CATEGORIES

KEY CRITERIA AND CONSIDERATIONS All Grant Categories: Close working partnership with National CASA Association  Including regular reporting and communication Stakeholder/network engagement and support for proposal Clear and well-supported project plan with measurable objectives, goals, and timeline Member in good standing with the Association

QUESTIONS

LOCAL PROGRAM GRANTS

Purpose: Initiatives funded through National CASA Association’s partnership with Jewelers for Children will increase the number of abused and neglected children served by CASA/GAL volunteers Applicants: Local programs or state organizations that directly serve abused and neglected children with volunteer advocates Applicants must be in good standing with National CASA Association

LOCAL PROGRAM GRANTS Projected Awards: at least 14 awards Amount: Up to $35,000 (estimated total of $500,000 awarded) Grant Period: 10/1/15 through 9/30/16 Requirements: In order to be considered for a local program grant, the applicant must support the growth category statewide plan, if applicable If the growth category statewide plan is funded, the local program application will be excluded from consideration in this category

LOCAL PROGRAM GRANTS Requirements: Local program plan to increase the number of volunteers and new children served. Explanation of any gaps between the demographics of volunteers and children served. If a gap exists, the applicant must submit a diversity plan. Plan for engaging the local Jewelers for Children member(s). Statement of support from state organization.

LOCAL PROGRAM GRANTS Award decisions will be based upon: Strong project plan with measurable objectives, goals, and timeline Demonstrated ability to expand the number of volunteers and children served in a 12-month grant period Past performance with National CASA Association grant funds and grant goals Clearly explained, reasonable, and realistic grant budget based on the projected increase in children served Strong sustainability plan

QUESTIONS

GROWTH GRANTS The Growth Grants category supports the National CASA Association vision to serve every abused and neglected child. This is a demonstration grant opportunity to support statewide initiatives to significantly increase the number of abused and neglected children served by CASA/GAL volunteers. National CASA Association will award three to five grants of up to $250,000 each ($710,000 estimated total) to state organizations.

GROWTH GRANTS State organizations must propose statewide projects that will lead to significantly exceeding the state’s three-year average growth rate and that also include the support of the local program network and pass through funding to targeted local programs to support growth. State organizations will be asking every local program to support the growth statewide plan.

GROWTH GRANTS National CASA Association, among other items, will consider the following: Strong statewide plan to significantly increase the number of abused and neglected children served by CASA/GAL volunteers Inclusion of local program support and engagement and pass through funding to targeted local programs to support growth Demonstration of success in increasing the number of children served Extent of unmet need

QUESTIONS

DEVELOPMENT GRANTS The Development Grants category aligns with the National CASA Association Strategic Framework by strengthening and developing state organizations to effectively partner with the Association in support of local programs. This category is a demonstration grant opportunity to strengthen and build the capacity of state CASA/GAL organizations with limited capacity or develop a state organization in a state without a formal state organization. Successful initiatives in this grant category will be developed into model approaches for network replication.

DEVELOPMENT GRANTS National CASA will award up to five grants to state organizations. Awards for the 12-month period are up to $75,000 each, with $490,000 total (including $139,000 for 2014 Capacity Building Renewal Grants). At the end of the 12-month period, informal state networks will be expected to operate as state organizations, and existing state network awardees will be expected to sustain the capacity building effort as evidenced in a long-term state organization plan. Development grants also require the support of all local programs.

QUESTIONS

RESOURCE GRANTS Resource grants are designed to bolster statewide initiatives, in alignment with National CASA Association’s strategic focus to provide strong support to member programs. National CASA Association will provide enhanced technical assistance, through National CASA staff expertise, for statewide initiatives to build the capacity of the state CASA/GAL network to serve more children with quality volunteer advocates. The Association will provide eight in-kind awards to state organizations or informal networks over a 12-month period.

RESOURCE GRANTS Resource grant project areas: Launch of the I am for the Child ® campaign Strategic plan development Statewide leadership development Statewide in-person training – Fostering Futures and Knowing Who You Are research-based curricula

RESOURCE GRANTS Additional grant project areas: Development of a Superhero Race toolkit Market, donor, and/or volunteer research and surveys Policymaker education and awareness initiatives

QUESTIONS

APPLICATION MATERIALS

APPLICATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS Application materials will be uploaded to CASAforChildren.org/Grants on Friday, July 17 Local programs and state organizations will also be notified by on Friday, July 17 We are again providing a PDF fillable form for your use and allowing for supplemental material (as specified in the grant instructions), as one combined PDF attachment Application materials relate directly to the goals and objectives of each grant category and reflect input from local programs and state organizations

KEY DATES Friday, July 17 – Grant materials released Tuesday, July 28 at Noon EDT – Technical Assistance (Q&A) Webinar for Local Grants Monday, August 31 – Grant Applications Due Monday, September 14 – Awards announced Thursday, September 24 – Terms & Conditions due Thursday, October 1 – Grant Cycle begins

APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS Applications will be reviewed by two panels with knowledge of the CASA/GAL network:  National CASA Staff Review Panel  Network Review Panel Reviews will be conducted based on standardized criteria as outlined in the grant applications and instructions For the network panel, potential reviewers with a conflict of interest for any category will be excluded

GRANTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

CONTACT INFORMATION

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE WEBINAR FOR LOCAL GRANTS Local programs and state organizations are invited to attend our next Grants Technical Assistance webinar, during which we will discuss the local program grant application and provide an open forum for questions. Tuesday, July 28 at 12 Noon EDT / 9 am PDT Call information will be circulated one week in advance.

QUESTIONS