The Provident Bank Foundation Announces Call for Applications for $100,000 ‘Signature’ Grant and $20,000 ‘Impact’ Grants
Morristown, NJ (PRWEB) January 05, 2015 -- The Provident Bank Foundation (http://providentnjfoundation.org), has announced a request for proposals (RFP) for a $100,000 grant open to nonprofits located within Provident Bank's service area offering community enrichment programs that drive economic development, contribute to a more well-rounded community experience and provide increased access to information and specialized learning opportunities. This RFP is for the first of up to three $100,000 “Signature” grants -- one in each of its three funding priority areas—community enrichment, education and health, youth & families—that the Foundation will make in 2015.
In addition, the Foundation is also now accepting RFPs for two $20,000 grants from nonprofit organizations located in two of Provident Bank’s new geographies—Hunterdon County, NJ and the Lehigh Valley, PA, which includes the eastern portion of Lehigh County and southeastern portion of Northampton County. In 2015, the Foundation will make a total of up to four $20,000 “Impact” grants focused on Provident Bank’s new geographic footprint resulting from the 2014 acquisition of Team Capital Bank: Hunterdon and Warren Counties in New Jersey and the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County in Pennsylvania.
“We place special emphasis on supporting initiatives that help drive sustainable community enhancement and long-term change. We focus on building strong relationships with organizations that have the understanding, know-how, and initiative to drive this kind of change,” said Jane Kurek, executive director of The Provident Bank Foundation. “By offering more frequent substantial grants, we’d like to have an even greater impact in the communities supported by these fantastic organizations.
“We are also excited to begin grant-making in communities that are new to Provident Bank’s service area thanks to the acquisition of Team Capital,” Kurek added. “The new impact grants demonstrate our commitment to these communities and begins the process of initiating lasting, positive change.”
Organizations that meet the criteria are invited to submit a letter of inquiry to the Foundation via its website by February 16, 2015. The letters of inquiry will be reviewed by the Foundation’s team, who will inform the grantee as to whether they are invited to proceed with an application or they receive constructive feedback as to why their project is ineligible for funding or, when appropriate, how to strengthen their request. Once approved to proceed, the grantee applicant is invited to complete a full, detailed application, which is due on April 1. The Foundation will notify applicants of the results on April 27.
NEW FUNDING PRIORITIES
In 2014, The Provident Bank Foundation made a strategic decision to refine its approach to grant making and reorganize its funding structure. Rather than focus on four funding priorities (community enrichment, education, family support & youth services and health & human services), starting in 2015, the Provident Bank Foundation will make all of its grants in three priority areas: community enrichment, education and health, youth & families.
These funding priorities will direct all grant-making activity throughout the year, from the smaller, standard grants to the $20,000 Impact grants and $100,000 Signature grants. Additional details about the grant process and deadlines for each of the new funding priorities and geographies can be found here: http://www.providentnjfoundation.org/Site/rfps.aspx.
About The Provident Bank Foundation
The Provident Bank Foundation was established by New Jersey’s oldest bank in 2003 to enhance the quality of life in the region through support of not-for-profit groups, institutions, schools and other organizations that provide services in communities served by Provident Bank. Since its founding, the Foundation has granted more than $19 million to not-for-profit organizations and institutions working toward stronger communities. For more information about The Provident Bank Foundation, visit http://www.ProvidentNJFoundation.org or call (862) 260-3990.
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Brian Hyland, Kitchen PR, +1 (212) 687-8999, [email protected]
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