CommunityGrants@Work aims to support local charities and non-profits with programme ideas that create sustainable and long term solutions for marginalised communities to emerge stronger from the pandemic. Organisations whose ideas align with CommunityGrants@Works’ objectives can come forward and apply.
The targeted impact of the programme should include building capabilities that transform and improve operational business continuity processes and support community-based initiatives that provide continual support for communities and individuals affected by COVID-19.
The grant will be focusing on two key areas — piloting new opportunities and the ability to adjust and adapt. For the former, CFS is looking to fund programme ideas that enable charitable organisations to embrace new service delivery or operational approaches when responding to evolving needs. For the latter, initiatives that leverage digital-led solutions to complement offline service models such as tele-rehabilitation programmes, deploying sensor-based technology and improving accessibility and connectivity can apply for this grant call.
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Download the step-by-step online platform guide here.
Application Terms:
- The application starts from 1 September to 15 October 2021.
- All applicants will be informed by 16 November 2021.
- Applicants must complete the online application form and attach scanned copies of required supporting documents.
- Each charity can submit multiple applications for different programmes.
- Successful applicants may receive grant funding of up to a cap of $50,000 per approved programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Sayang Sayang Fund (SSF)?
The Sayang Sayang Fund (‘SSF’) is a Community Impact Fund established by the Community Foundation of Singapore (‘CFS’) that aims to provide appropriate support to alleviate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the local community. This is the second year running that CFS is launching a Community Grant Call. While the first grant call was focused on providing immediate and short-term relief to those adversely affected by the COVID-19 situation, the CommunityGrants@Work aims to support initiatives that create sustainable and long- term change to allow the marginalised communities to cope and emerge stronger out of this crisis.
2. How does CommunityGrants@Work work?
a) Applicants are required to apply online for the grant. CFS will not accept offline grant applications.
b) CFS will evaluate the application, considering the alignment to the SSF’s objectives, clarity of the programme activities and its implementation feasibility. CFS may contact the applicant to seek clarification on the proposal where necessary.
c) CFS will inform all applicants of the status of their applications.
d) Successful applications will receive the grant in two tranches – the first upon application success and the second upon CFS approval on submitting the interim report.
e) CFS reserves the right to decide on the grant amount to be allocated to the successful applicant. All decisions are final upon the notice of successful application.
f) Depending on the interim report and outcomes achieved in the programme, CFS may adjust the second tranche of disbursement amount. CFS will inform and discuss with the grantee and has the right to decide the amount.
Eligibility
3. Who is eligible for CommunityGrants@Work?
Singapore-based charity, social service agencies and non-profit organisations with clearly
defined charitable mission/objectives.
4. We are not registered as a charity with the Commissioner of Charities. We are an informal volunteer group and we do charitable work that targets the marginalised. Are we eligible?
Unfortunately, this grant is only applicable for registered charities and non-profits based in Singapore, and Singapore projects.
SSF is partnering with the Majurity Trust for a grant call dedicated to groundup groups and initiatives. Please visit Groundup@SG to find out more.
5. Does the applicant organisation need to have a certain number of years of track record or be of a certain size?
The CommunityGrants@Work is open to all Singapore-based charities, social service agencies and non-profit organisations with clearly defined charitable mission/objectives. Charities of any size are allowed to apply.
Each applicant (organisation) should have a minimum of 2 years of track record. However, we are open to reviewing and supporting if your application has merits and can benefit the community. At the same time, you have to demonstrate that you have the resources and infrastructure to execute and complete the programme.
6. Is the grant restricted to any specific sectors?
The grant call is open to all sectors as long as the initiatives meet the grant call objectives.
7. If we have a partnership with another charity, can both organisations submit their own grant application based on our own cost components?
Yes, please submit individual (separate) grant applications, and highlight that it is a joint project.
Application Process
8. How do I apply for CommunityGrants@Work?
Please apply online via https://cfsg.submittable.com/submit. You will be required to create a free account for the submission. Refer to our online application guide here .
9. How long is the CommunityGrants@Work application period?
1 September 2021 – 15 October 2021, 6pm (SGT). Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
10. Can I submit more than one grant application?
Organisations can submit multiple applications for different programmes.
11. Is there a cap to the number of applications that I can submit?
There is no limit to the number of applications you can submit, provided they fulfil our grant call objectives.
12. When will the application outcome be known?
Applicants will be informed via email latest by 16 November 2021 or the next business day.
13. Can I withdraw my application after submission?
If for any reason you would need to withdraw your application, or even decline the grant (upon approval), you may do so via the Submittable platform. There is a “Withdraw” button function.
14. Can I review the Terms & Conditions again?
Please refer here for the Terms & Conditions. Please note that grant applicants must accept the Terms & Conditions as part of the grant application.
Funding & Programme duration
15. How much grant support can I receive?
Successful applicants may receive grant funding of up to a cap of $50,000 per approved programme. CFS reserves the right to determine a grant amount that may differ from what was submitted by the applicant. All decisions are final upon the notice of successful application.
16. Can I apply for government matching schemes for the funds I received
from CommunityGrants@Work?
Successful applicants may apply for relevant government matching funds for the monies received from CFS. You may use the cover letter as a form of documentation if required. Please inform CFS if you are applying for government matching funds or require additional documentation from CFS.
17. Can I still apply if we have secured an in-principal agreement from another funder, but funds are still pending disbursement? Is co-funding (from another donor) allowed?
Yes, you may still apply, unless the project is already fully funded. However, please indicate your confirmed funding source (and amount) in the application. We will follow up upon reviewing your application to understand your latest project funding status.
18. Is the project duration only meant for 1 year, since 50% grant utilisation is to be achieved by the 6th month? Or is it also open to two or three-year projects?
This grant is applicable for multi-year projects. However, funding will be solely restricted to our funding period of 1 year.
19. Can we begin the programme earlier, upon approval but before disbursement of the first tranche?
Yes, you may begin the programme earlier (or even prior to approval). However, do take note that if it is before grant approval, this is a risk that you have to bear as you may not be successful with the grant application.
Programme Scope
20. If an existing and on-going project fits the grant objectives, will that project be eligible for grant consideration?
If your existing project was recently launched in response to the pandemic situation in order to adapt, pivot and address evolving needs, it could be considered. Please submit an application accordingly and we will review it based on the project’s merit and project timeline.
21. Can the beneficiaries be our volunteers and staff to help them improve their skills and capabilities?
Yes, the programme can be targeted at your volunteers and staff, provided it is aligned with our grant focus.
22. Can our programmes support the wider community beyond the marginalised communities?
Yes. While our focus is on the marginalised communities, we are open to reviewing and supporting broader – based programmes that fit our grant focus that address and can adapt to the sustaining -challenges arising from COVID-19.
23. Please elaborate on the marginalised communities.
Examples of marginalised communities include vulnerable seniors, disadvantaged persons, caregivers, migrant communities, low income and vulnerable groups etc.
Programme Funding
24. Are there any restrictions to the funding scope?
CommunityGrants@Work does not support the following:
– Debt clearance or loan repayments
– CAPEX, fundraising for new buildings or cyclical renovations
– Fundraising activities
– Sponsorship for scholarships, awards and bursaries for individuals
– Funding for financial assistance quantum
25. Why is there a restriction to the funding scope?
The purpose of the SSF grant seeks to support initiatives that create sustainable and long- term change to allow the marginalised communities to rise and emerge stronger from the COVID-19 crisis. Hence our funding was secured for initiatives that can fulfil that goal and will not cover areas such as fundraising activities, loan repayments or sponsorship of individuals, etc.
26. Will professional fees or manpower cost items be covered under this grant?
As a general rule, professional fees and manpower costs can be considered for this grant. However, approval depends on the scope of the project, and how that professional service/headcount is required for your new or adapted service model or part of your project scope. If it is a part of your existing day-to-day programme, that cost item will not be supported.
In your application, you need to demonstrate that COVID-19 has pushed your organisation to re-think your service model, i.e. either through piloting a new service because COVID-19 revealed a new gap, or COVID-19 has caused your organisation to adjust your programme in a way that your existing day-to-day services are no longer sufficient. Under such a programme scope, the cost items mentioned above will be considered for support.
27. What are the overhead cost items that will be supported?
Suppose the overheads, such as office rental (partial), HQ admin manpower, utilities, infrastructure and equipment etc, are new costs that result from the proposed programme scope. In that case, it can be considered for grant support.
28. Will outreach and marketing costs be covered under this grant?
If the outreach and marketing expenses are embedded costs that result from the proposed programme scope, they can be considered for grant support.
29. Our programme budget has more than 10 cost categories, and your form is limited to only 10 lines. How should we proceed?
Please group some of your cost categories and submit a detailed budget breakdown as part of the supporting documents.
30. Will financial assistance to beneficiaries or initiatives like grocery vouchers and hot lunches for beneficiaries be considered within the grant scope?
If those costs are embedded within the project, which fits our grant focus, it will be considered for funding. However, these costs will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and dependent on the overall project merit.
31. There is a need for us to pivot and be more digital in this work-from-home (WFH) phase. Is digital equipment, such as laptops and accessories for our staff to WFH, fundable under this grant?
Generally, daily operating expenses will NOT be supported under this grant unless it is tied to a project that fulfils our grant focus, and is not a standalone cost.
The grant project needs to cover a wider scope than simply purchasing equipment or laptops. It needs to demonstrate how your organisation is pivoting to either address new challenges or adapting the current service model due to the pandemic. In terms of outcomes, we are also looking at how your service model will evolve/adapt to better support the marginalised communities.
32. Do we need to conduct and submit a detailed needs assessment?
Where possible, a needs assessment report will be highly relevant for your proposed programme/initiative grant application. We understand that resources might not allow for such an undertaking. Please provide evidence to your best ability to support your programme needs based on proof-of-concept, statistics, surveys or assessment covered etc.
33. Can you give an example of the outcomes that the grant would like to support?
Examples of possible outcomes could be new service models or digital solutions that result in a measurable improvement or change in the beneficiaries’ attitude, behaviour or condition; or positive assessment or survey outcomes from the new intervention approaches, etc. Ease of adaptability and take-up rate of new programmes and their monitoring approaches in the digital age can also factor as a validation outcome.
Grant Disbursement & Utilisation
34. How will the funding be disbursed?
Successful applications will receive the grant in two tranches – the first upon application success and the second upon CFS approval on submitting of an interim report. Please refer to CommunityGrants@Work grant application guidelines .
35. The first tranche of disbursement is 50%. Does it mean we have to cover the balance upfront if we fully utilise the grant monies before receiving the second tranche?
The choice lies within your organisation and cash flow management related to the programme implementation. Please note that the second tranche disbursement is dependent on the interim reporting and the timeline for the second tranche disbursement would be July 2022.
36. What if we cannot fulfil a 50% grant utilisation after 6 months?
You are required to fulfil a grant utilisation rate of at least 50% from the first tranche of funding after 6 months. In the event that you fail to achieve 50%, please submit the interim report accordingly and explain the challenges and risk mitigation actions that you have taken, or will be taking. The second tranche of funds will be dependent on CFS approval after reviewing the interim report.
Recipients that do not meet the minimum utilisation rate during the interim reporting, and/or fail to give confidence to CFS on appropriate further utilization may not receive the 2nd tranche disbursement.
Reporting
37. What are the reporting indicators? Will there be any KPIs we need to attain pertaining to this grant? Is there a template? How should we submit our reports?
A reporting form/template will be provided nearer the 6th month date. Please submit your interim report accordingly.
Briefly, your programme report should cover areas like:
– Grant utilisation amount/percentage
– Programme summary and key activities
– Key programme outcomes and outputs achieved
– Case studies and photos (for publicity use)
38. Would we be required to submit our invoices etc for the reporting?
Please retain all expenses details and invoices for your own documentation. In the event that you are selected for our CFS audit, we would require those documentations.
Others
39. Can we include CFS in our press release for our new programme?
Yes, provided it is an approved programme. Please inform CFS prior to mentioning us in your press releases, so that we may also verify the necessary information.
40. Who can I contact if I have questions about the grant application and process?
Get in touch with us here.
