Lakewinds Community Share
In 2010, the Lakewinds Board of Directors approved Lakewinds Community Share – a grant program designed to make a bigger impact in the communities it serves. Consistent with the Rochdale Cooperative principle based on concern for community, Lakewinds will donate larger sums of money, ranging from $1,000-$10,000 to non-profit organizations engaged in activities consistent with its vision. Decisions on grants will be made by a committee made up of Board members, members at large and employees.What we are looking for:
Lakewinds Vision: Inspiring people and communities to build a healthy, sustainable future. We are looking for programs that align with our vision and benefit and educate the communities we serve. Examples include programs that:
- Protect and improve our environment
- Promote natural health and wellness
- Support natural foods and sustainable agriculture
- Support special diets that help individuals with health conditions such as celiac disease and diabetes.
- Organizations without a 501(c)(3) status
- Political or religious programs
- Research
- General operating expenses
- Individuals
- Endowment funds
- Scholarships
- Fundraising events
- Alignment of the organization and program with Lakewinds vision.
- Effectiveness of the organization:
- Percent of donation dollars going to overhead vs. cause
- Accomplishes goals and objectives
- Inspires community involvement and support
- Lakewinds potential impact on the organization.
The grant program will be open for applications beginning June 1 of each year. Applications will be accepted until July 31. By that time, the Lakewinds Board will have declared the total dollar amount available for grants based on earnings results for the fiscal year completed June 30. Once the application deadline has been reached, the grant committee will review all applications and make a decision on which applicants will receive funding. We have chosen not to have members vote for the final winners due to the low voter turnout in our elections. Applicants will be notified just prior to the annual meeting, typically scheduled at the end of September.
How to apply:
- Fill out the Lakewinds grant application form. This is a simplified version of the Minnesota Common Grant Form.
- Provide a concise narrative about your organization and how the grant will be used. This will be an important part of the grant process because it allows us to understand in your words why this grant is important.
- Applications may be mailed or delivered in person to Lakewinds administrative offices at 17515 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN 55345. Attn: Lakewinds Community Share grants committee.
In most cases, funds will payout 80% of the total at the time the grant is awarded. The final 20% is paid upon timely receipt of a final report satisfactory to the grant committee members. If a project or grant contains any special conditions, no monies are disbursed until those conditions have been met.
Reporting requirements:
When you are awarded a grant, you will receive a letter outlining the deadlines for required reporting. Unless other arrangements have been made, grant recipients are required to provide a report by August 1 of the following year. This report is meant to help all of us learn what is working and not working so we can improve. It will in no way affect your ability to get funding in the future. There is no specific format for reports; however, it should contain the following:
- Details on how the money was spent as well as actual cost of the project vs. original budget.
- Any formal evaluation data
- Project challenges and successes from the organization’s perspective
- Project challenges and successes from the project benefactor’s perspective. (We really do want you to talk to those who benefited from this grant and get their perspective.)