ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
In order to be considered for a grant at Countrywide, these minimum criteria
must be met:
* Nonprofits must be exempt from income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code and be defined as a public charity
* Organizational objectives must align with one of Countrywides focus areas
* While each nonprofit model is unique, overhead costs should generally not
exceed 25%
Countrywide seeks excellence and accountability in proposals from nonprofits.
The criteria that we use to distinguish good proposals from truly excellent ones
include:
The proposal or organization...
* Identifies a significant social problem with an unmet need
o Severe problem affecting a large number of lives and latent demand exists for
a solution
* Uses an innovative approach with potential for broad impact
o Innovative solution with the ability to scale and replicate the model for
other organizations
* Has outstanding leadership
o Outstanding leader and/or management team with passion, expertise, network,
ethical approach and track record in the relevant area
* Correlates with Countrywides goals and values
o Aligns with the companys philanthropic focus areas and meets guidelines and
requirements
o Employee involvement either in the past, present or future, as demonstrated
through volunteerism and financial contributions or the potential for future
involvement in a way that would impassion our employees
o Leverages Countrywide's resources and allows the company to provide a
value-add for a unique, transformative effect
* Demonstrates a path to sustainability
o Ability to sustain the organization or program through diverse income streams,
technology related efficiencies, productivity increases, management expertise or
enhanced organizational capacity
* Is Measurable
o Organization can clearly articulate the planned impact of their efforts and/or
identify specific metrics to measure progress toward success
HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT
Coutnrywide utilizes an online grant application to process all requests for
funding.
GRANT LIMITATIONS
The Countrywide Foundation and Countrywide's Strategic Philanthropy Group will
not make grants for:
* Individuals
* Travel, including student trips or tours
* For-profit entities, including start-up businesses
* Private foundations
* Organizations that channel funds to third parties, vs. giving directly to a
charity
* Political causes or candidates
* Organizations designed primarily for lobbying
* Endowment or capital campaigns*
* Start up funding for new organizations
* Colleges/Universities**
* Scholarships, stipends and fellowship assistance**
* Fundraising events, dinners, sponsorships and other business related
activities (paid out of business budgets)**
* Organization must operate independently of religious sect or fellowship and
have a separate 501(c)(3) and Board of Directors for its secular programs***
*On a limited basis **Except for programs tied to Countrywide's strategic
philanthropy mission ***A secular designation is defined as an organization
separate from the church or religious organizations that provides services to
people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in
a specific faith
GOVERNANCE REQUIREMENTS
Governance Requirements: In order to comply with corporate and foundation
governance requirements, we ask that all organizations receiving a grant or
sponsorship submit a description of how the funds were used and the
accomplishments or outcomes as a result of the funds. Please submit this report
after the funds have been spent or no later than one year from the receipt of
the payment. In addition, we reserve the right to hold face-to-face meetings
with grantees to discuss results and/or audit the organization.
