Heckscher RFP 2007

Start Date: 09/06/07
End Date: 10/30/07

Background
In considering grant applications, The Heckscher Foundation looks favorably upon organizations that critically assess their own performance using objective criteria. We seek applicants who can answer these core questions:

• What do you want to achieve with a particular program?
• How do you gather valid information about these outcomes?
• Do your measurement tools lead to concise, useful reports?
• Do you make changes to your programs based on data and/or outside standards?
• Have you had an independent evaluator assess your data?
  

This RFP is an effort to help nonprofits become more rigorous about outcomes, not only in order to improve communication with staff, participants and funders, but also (and more importantly) as a means of designing programs that are unrelentingly focused on measurable success.

Request for Proposals
The Foundation will make several capacity-building grants by the end of 2007 --- all dedicated to the development and implementation of measurement tools that determine by objective standards the efficacy of programs for young people.

Because these will be one-time gifts, organizations should submit proposals for one or more of the following nonrecurring costs:

1. Creation of data collection systems and tools dedicated exclusively to measuring the effectiveness of programs in meeting stated goals.
   Example: An organization proposes to purchase database software to capture information about program participants, to adapt the database to specific program criteria, and to train staff to use the database during intake interviews.
   Note: This grant may not be used for the purchase of computer hardware.
   
   
2. Alignment of outcomes with New York State, City or other relevant criteria.
   Example: An organization proposes to hire a consultant to peg an after school art curriculum to the New York State education standards in order to qualify for specific NYC Department of Education funding.
   
   
3. Third party evaluations.

Eligibility
Grants will be made only to private, nonprofit organizations that have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundations. Applying organizations must have been providing services for at least two years.

Organizations ineligible for funding include political, fraternal, professional, veterans' or industry groups; government agencies; membership groups or clubs and their foundations; private and community foundations; organizations primarily supported by taxes; and groups ineligible to receive grants under state or federal law.

Preference will be given to organizations that have not received previous funding from the Heckscher Foundation, and those with annual budgets under $1,000,000 are particularly encouraged to apply. Early submission of applications is appreciated.

Finally, this opportunity is open to organizations headquartered in one of New York City's five boroughs and only to programs that serve children in New York City.

Review Process and Timetable
Interested organizations should submit a letter of inquiry of no more than three pages on letterhead stationery to the Heckscher Foundation by October 30, 2007. Please reference the "Heckscher RFP 2007" in the first paragraph. Letters must also include:

• A description of your organization's mission and core activities.
• Demographics for youth served by your organization and by the proposed work.
• A detailed description of the proposed project and how this grant will build your capacity to design, implement and adapt your programs to better serve youth.
• Your organization's credentials for successful use of the Heckscher grant.
• Contact information for Foundation follow-up.

Annexed to this letter, please send:

• A detailed budget for the proposed work. Please indicate whether Heckscher funding would fully or partially support the project.
• A copy of your organization's 501(c)(3) certification letter.

These items will be sufficient for the Foundation's initial review of project value, organizational eligibility and adherence to these guidelines. We will then invite finalist organizations to provide financial and other documentation to support their letters of inquiry. Final round decisions will be made by early December 2007, and grant-winning organizations will be notified before the end of the year.

Contact Information
Letters of inquiry and any preliminary questions may arrive by mail or email to the address below. Be sure to write RFP 2007 on either the outer envelope (mail) or subject line (email). Please do not send multiple copies or the same letter in various formats. We will acknowledge all submissions via email. Also note that applications may NOT be filed online through the Heckscher website at this time!

Julia Bator
The Heckscher Foundation for Children
123 East 70th Street
New York, NY 10021
Phone: 212-744-0190
jbator@heckscherfoundation.org

Follow the link below to download a paper from the Youth Development Institute of the Fund for the City of New York. It provides guidance in identifying outcomes for youth programs and may be helpful for organizations responding to the Heckscher RFP 2007.

Download: FCNY Outcomes Paper (PDF, 470.88 K)