HomeMy WebLinkAboutWaiwai FY 22-23 FAQCounty of Hawaii: Nonprofit Grants -in -Aid
Waiwai Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2022-2023
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the key changes agencies should be aware of for the Waiwai Grant Program
compared to the past Grant -in -Aid program?
The application is the same application used in previous grant cycles but has been
updated to include the following:
a. A question regarding having/anticipating contracts with the county.
b. Identification of communities the proposed program is being administered in.
c. Identification of age group proposed program targets.
d. Pre -identified grant amounts you are applying for.
e. Revisions to Program Objectives & Performance Measure questions.
f. Updated budget forms, CHANGE Framework (for data purposes only).
2. When is the deadline for the application?
The deadline to submit your application, along with all required supporting
documentation, is Monday, January 31, 2022, at 4:30 PM.
3. If I am filling out the application in more than one sitting, will I have the ability to save
my progress?
When you fill out your application using a Google account, your progress will be
automatically saved as a draft for 30 days.
4. Am I required to have a Google account to complete the application?
Yes, a Google account is required to complete the application. Google Forms requires
users to sign -in to complete any form that saves their progress, asks them to upload
documents, or to have their response emailed back to them.
S. Is there a copy of the application that can be viewed before filling out the online
application?
The Grant -in -Aid packet, which includes submittal instructions, a copy of all application
questions and contextual information, a list of required materials, can be downloaded
at: t-forms.
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6. Is there a hard copy of the application?
This year the county is piloting online submission of grant applications via Google Forms.
If you are absolutely unable to submit via online form, a hard copy of the application
may be available upon request.
7. Cana program apply to this grant opportunity with a fiscal sponsor?
Yes, as long as the nonprofit organization has a 501(c)(3) public charity status.
8. Can religious organizations apply if programs do not include a religious practice?
Religious organizations providing programs that do not include a religious
practice may apply if they are a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) public charity
status.
9. Does the Waiwai Grant fund new programs? How does the application process work
for new programs within organizations that have previously applied?
Exceptions can be made for funding new programs. The county's Nonprofit Grants -in -Aid
ad hoc committee will evaluate your organization's track record for implementation of
past programs as well as organizational infrastructure and capacity to carry out the
proposed new program when making their recommendations for eligibility to the
Council.
10. If our nonprofit organization provides more than one program, do we submit different
applications?
Yes, organizations should submit one application for each program it is applying for. For
example, ABC Nonprofit runs a feeding program and a childcare program in Hilo and
Kona. ABC Nonprofit would submit two applications - one for the feeding program and
one for the A+ program; in each application, ABC Nonprofit would select all the
communities in which it is administering the program. Please note that you will need to
complete and submit the application for one program before you can start on the
application for another.
11. Is it unlikely for an organization to get more than one grant if it submits more than one
application for different programs?
In previous cycles, the county has awarded multiple grants to different programs within
the same organization. However, awards still depend on funding availability and the
strength of your program application.
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12. If our organization was awarded existing county grants, would that be detrimental to
my application?
No, it would not be a detriment to your application. The purpose of this question is to
make sure the deliverables from their current/existing grant(s) do not conflict or overlap
with the Waiwai Grant deliverables.
13. Does Puna Strong count as a county Grant?
Yes, Puna Strong is a county grant.
14. If our program was awarded a grant for the county's Nonprofit Grant -in -Aid program in
FY 2020-2021, would I include it in my application in the program information section?
Yes, you would indicate it on your application.
15. If our organization has previously received GIA funds, but the specific program the
proposal is for has not, should we answer "yes" or "no" to the question about whether
we have previously been funded or not?
You should answer "yes" if your organization has received GIA funds for the program you
are applying for.
16. Under the "Program Information" section, what category would animal care/spay &
neuter services be put under?
These services would fall under the "Public health and welfare of the people and the
environment" category.
17. What is meant by "characters" in certain sections of the application?
Characters are a single visual object used to represent text, numbers, symbols,
punctuation marks, and spaces. If there is a question that refers to it, this means that
there is a specified limit of how many characters are allowed in your response.
18. Is there a limit to the amount we can apply for?
The maximum amount of funds that a program may apply for is $50,00.
19. Regarding the grant fund options listed on the application, is the county hard fixed on
awarding the exact amounts applied for, or will they consider awarding grantees a
lesser amount of their request?
In past grant cycles, the county has found that applicants tend to over -budget in their
application in the hopes of getting more funding than needed or that they will decline a
grant award if it is too small to implement their program. This year the county is looking
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for specific asks tied to deliverables. Knowing exact organizational needs is critical for
the application and will help the county connect your organization to other possible
funding opportunities.
20. Are any "match" funds required to be committed to the grant project?
No matching funds are required for the county Nonprofit Grant -in -Aid program.
21. How to implement the new CHANGE framework?
The CHANGE Framework is a set of data indicators tied to the quality of life in the islands
and a resident's ability to thrive. Every community sector - public, private, nonprofit,
philanthropic - contributes to this. By including the CHANGE framework indicators and
asking applicants to self -identify what is relevant to their program, the county, State, and
philanthropy will better understand how nonprofits are moving the needle on the
various indicators.
22. Do my answers to the CHANGE framework -related questions affect the ad hoc
committee's decision on whether or not I will receive a grant?
CHANGE -related questions are to understand organizational impact along with a variety
of indicators being tracked across the State. This data will help the county, State, and
philanthropy understand where there are opportunities, needs, and gaps.
23. If the information on my application is shared with the Hawaii Community Foundation
(HCF), does that mean that I will receive a grant award from them?
Because the county nonprofit grant-in-aid application includes the CHANGE framework,
HCF leadership would like to understand how the collective of applicants is moving the
needle on various CHANGE indicators and has offered to share applications with its
philanthropic network. However, even though the information will be shared, the county
cannot guarantee that you will receive a grant from HCF. Note: all eligible applications
are subject to public record and access.
24. Will you be using the Logic Model in this cycle of applications?
Logic Model type questions are included in the FY 2022-23 application in the "Program
Objectives & Performance Measures" section. These questions are variations of what
has been asked of applicants in previous grant cycles.
25. What is "Current cash assets" on the Project Budget Form: Expense? Does it refer to
the organization's assets or the money set aside for the program being applied for?
"Current cash assets" refers to the money set aside for the program being applied for.
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26. How does the county define capital?
The preliminary definition for capital refers to a vertical structure or an item that would
appreciate in value. "Please note that we are awaiting a formal confirmation of this
definition."
27. Does the county's Grants -in -Aid program provide funds for capital, operations, or
both?
The county`s Grants -in -Aid program does not provide funds for capital. However, funding
for operations is possible, but depends on the type of operation being conducted.
28. Is there room for flexibility in expenditures listed on my project budget form if
awarded a grant? For example, what would happen if I had set a budget of $1,000 for
supplies and $500 for printing, but I ended up spending $750 for each?
Yes, there is the flexibility of expenditures between categories. However, as outlined in
the awardee contract, creating new categories is prohibited.
29. Does it matter who signs the forms?
Forms signed on behalf of your organization must be done by an authorized member as
stated within your by-laws.
30. When I submit my application, will I be able to download a copy of it for my programs
files?
If submitted via Google Forms, a copy of your completed application will be emailed to
the account used to fill out the application.
31. How are the applications evaluated and/or scored?
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria: Organizational Capacity
and Experience; Program Design; Program Implementation and Data Collection; Budget
and Financial Management; Program Scalability and Sustainability.
32. When will I be notified about the status of my grant application?
The Department of Finance will review each application and required supporting
materials to deem eligibility; notification of acceptance of applications and transmission
to the Council will be sent to organizations in mid -February. Following this, the Council
will set up an ad hoc committee to review applications, score, and recommend funding
to the Council in mid -April. The County Council must vote to accept the
recommendations of the ad hoc before funds can be distributed; applicants will be
informed of their award status in mid -May.
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33. Will our organization have to be interviewed?
In previous grant cycles, the ad hoc committee has conducted interviews with all
applicants who have turned in the required materials. This year, no interviews will be
conducted. However, the ad hoc committee reserves the right to connect with applicants
for the following purposes: 1) obtain clarification on application responses and 2) ask
questions of applicants requesting grant funds for a new program.
34. What is the six month progress report and the annual report?
A six month and annual report is required to maintain good standing with the county.
Reports are based on what you articulate in the Program Objectives & Performance
Measures section — resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes. In addition, you will
report progress and achievements made on goals you set for yourself.
35. When will the form for the six month progress report for FY 2021-22 grants be
available?
As of December 14, the six month progress report for FY 2021-22 grantees has become
available on the Department of Finance webpage, under the Budget tab. These progress
reports will be submitted via Google Forms and are due no later than January 31, 2022,
at 4:30 PM.
36. Will a reminder be sent out to organizations regarding report deadlines?
Though it is not within the scope of the county to send reminders, the ad hoc committee
will send an email courtesy reminder to organizations with a link to the report forms.
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