Changemakers at Work Grant FAQ

Changemakers at Work Grant
Frequently Asked Questions

What do you mean by social capital?

Simply, it means increasing the quality of relationships and improving the way people interact, collaborate, and cooperate.

What’s the difference between the applicant organization and the fiscal sponsor?

If your organization is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, municipal entity (like a school or city government), or a church or religious group, the applicant organization and the fiscal sponsor would be the same. In this case, you do not need to complete a fiscal sponsor form, as the grant application itself covers everything we need to make a grant to you.

However, if you are a community group without IRS tax status, you will need to find a fiscal sponsor in order to apply. In this case, the community group is the applicant organization—the organization that will be doing the work proposed in the grant. The fiscal sponsor, then, is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, municipal entity, or church whose mission aligns with the project the community group is proposing. The fiscal sponsor agrees to accept the grant funds, take responsibility for the expenditure of grant funds and fidelity to the grant award, and report on the outcomes and final budget expenditures of the grant. A fiscal sponsor form is then required for submission as a supplement to the application.

If you have any questions about this distinction, please contact Sarah Blake, sarah@hutchcf.org.

I represent a community group without a 501(c)3. How do I find a fiscal sponsor?

Identify a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, municipal entity, or church that has a mission related to the project you are proposing. For instance, if your group is working in a specific neighborhood, approaching Hutch Rec as a fiscal sponsor could be a good fit alongside their Neighborhood Development work. Or if your group is working on an art project, you might consider approaching the Hutchinson Art Center. If you have trouble making a connection to a potential fiscal sponsor, please contact Sarah Blake, sarah@hutchf.org, for suggestions.

How do I answer the question about how many Reno County residents will benefit?

Make your best guess. This question is included to estimate how deep or wide your proposed project will reach residents in Reno County, and it is information for the Changemakers at Work Grants Committee to use, as appropriate, in their consideration of funding the proposal.

Can I request the whole cost of the project?

Yes, you can. If you have other sources of funding, it may show that you have community support for your project. But often Changemakers at Work grants are for short-term, low-cost projects that make an immediate impact, and doing the work of raising additional funds is not feasible or practical.

Can this fund an existing program?

Yes, but the proposal should be for an enhancement, expansion, or evolution of the program rather than ongoing program funding. A Changemakers at Work Grant could be used to test out a change to a program that could make the case for further investment in that direction.

Will this fund my project every year?

No, Changemakers at Work grants are intended to be one-time grants to fund one-time projects, new ways of addressing a community challenge, or program enhancements toward building social capital and increasing community pride and identity. If the project continues beyond the grant period, the organization should use the grant-funded experience to make the case for investment by other funding sources.

What if my project happens or starts before the grant awards?

Hutchinson Community Foundation cannot make grant awards that fund reimbursement of costs already expended, so projects funded by a Changemakers at Work Grant must take place during the grant period outlined in the Changemakers at Work Grant Guidelines. Projects with dates for use of grant funds falling outside of that period will not be considered.

What does Confirmed, Requested, and Proposed mean on the budget?

Confirmed (C) means that you have the funds in hand, promised, or pledged.

Requested (R) means that you have submitted a request for the funds (like you are with your Changemakers at Work Grant application).

Proposed (P) means you intend to submit a request from a certain source of funding but you have not yet done so.

What kind of expenses should I list on the budget?

Break down your budget into categories or types of expenses, such as salaries, printing, and food. If your request is largely for tangible items, break down the cost of the items, such as by paint, computer, and bench. Round each amount to the nearest dollar. See our sample budget form here.

What if I don’t have a board?

If the applicant organization is a community group without a formal board of directors or governing body, the list of Board of Directors on the grant application must reflect a minimum of three people on a steering committee that will oversee the proposed project and activities. Grants cannot be made to individuals, so the requirement of a steering committee demonstrates a collaborative approach to the proposed project.

What is the reporting requirement?

A grant report form will be provided on your GLM dashboard, which will be due Nov. 30 directly following each year’s grant period. For example, reports on 2023 grants would be due Nov. 30, 2024.

We generally ask you to describe the change you are beginning to see as a result of the project, any unexpected outcomes related to the grant, how project activities differed from those originally proposed, and future plans for the project. Although a written report form will be provided, we also accept reports in video or site visit formats. Within the written report form you will be given an opportunity to select which format you prefer. In all cases, a final budget expense form must also be submitted that demonstrates how the grant funds were spent in relation to the proposed budget and confirms all grant funds have been expended.

Upon receipt of this final grant report and budget, the grant will be closed.