Regional Grants Program

Program Background

The Regional Grants Program provides grants to youth-based arts and mentoring programs at nonprofits based in Lumpkin member communities.  A committee comprised of Lumpkin family members conducts site visits and makes all the grant decisions.
The Committee has chosen to focus on youth arts and mentoring programs as they demonstrate the ability to give children a voice, which contributes to self-esteem and enables young people to make important connections to their community. We know, based on available data and research, that academic achievement is positively linked to development of arts-related skills and self esteem.
The Regional Grants Program is comprised of:

• Member Community Grants:  Supporting projects in the arts and/or mentoring in Lumpkin member communities. Click here for a list of organizations and programs supported in 2008.
• *New in 2009* Member Community Focus Grant: One half of the Program budget will be directed at a single community.  The Committee will spend time during the early part of the year studying the history, culture and nonprofit landscape of the community before focusing on arts and mentoring programs.  The Committee will invite a small number of organizations to submit an application and plan to complete site visits on finalist (or serious) candidates before making its decision.  The 2010 Focus Community is Marion County, California.

Defining Arts & Mentoring

The arts are defined broadly to include all visual and performing arts.  We are particularly interested in programs that target disadvantaged young people between grades eight and ten because we understand this to be a critical period in formulating a positive life view and establishing good decision-making patterns.

Who’s Eligible to Apply

The Regional Grants Program makes grants only to arts and/or mentoring programs located in the following communities:

• Albuquerque, NM
• Chautauqua County, NY
• Chicago, IL (Oak Park and Pilsen neighborhoods)
• Fairport Area, CT
• Marin County, CA
• Philadelphia, PA
• San Francisco, CA

Who Should Apply

We have a preference for:

• Small- to medium-size organizations (annual budgets under $1 million) where relatively small grants (under $5,000) may have greater affect. We will, however, consider projects from larger organizations that can demonstrate a very specific short-term need.
• Opportunities to seed new ideas or support smooth transitions between funding sources that can typically be achieved through short-term grant commitments (i.e. one year). We will, however, consider a multi-year commitment or extension of a one-year grant in special circumstances. 

The Grant Process

1. Eligible organizations are encouraged to review the following grant process:
2. Organizations submit a Letter on Inquiry online at https://www.grantinterface.com/lumpkin/Common/LogOn.aspx between April 1 and May 7, 2010.
3. The Regional Grant Committee reviews the Letters of Inquiry and invites online applications by May 28, 2010.
4. The Regional Grant Committee Members review applications and request a site visit.
5. The family member from the nonprofit’s community makes the site visit.
6. The Regional Grant Committee Members meet to make the final grant decisions in mid-July.

Please direct inquiries on the Regional Grants Program to:

Annie Hernandez
Phone: 217.234.5702
Email: annie.hernandez@consolidated.com