International Development Mini-Grant Guidelines*
Submit International Development Mini-Grant Applications no later 5:00 p.m. (EST), Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
The International Development Mini-Grant Initiative is designed to support the development or expansion of international programs and related costs. The mini-grant can be used to support translation services, establishing a new program, or bringing a Lamaze Accredited Childbirth Education program to your country.
The International Development Mini-Grant offers five (5) to ten (10) start-up grants annually for development and expansion of International programs and affiliates.
International Development Mini-Grant Eligibility
Organization Eligibility
- Funds must be used to develop or expand an International program.
- At least one person in the organization must be a member of Lamaze International.
Project Eligibility
International development grants will be made to projects that:
- Provide information and education on evidence-based normal birth practices to consumers/expectant parents consistent with the Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices that support (not support) safe and healthy birth and the International MotherBaby Childbirth Iniative (CIMS) Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative.
- Assist consumers in identifying professionals, health care providers and facilities in the community that support safe and healthy birth practices.
- Promote awareness and availability of community resources that support safe and healthy birth.
- Projects may include, but are not limited to: funding for initial training and continuing education for childbirth educators and expectant parents, membership fees, or marketing materials.
- Grant funds must be used for services that have a direct impact on the community. Mini-grants may not be used for 501(c)3 application fees, large speaker fees (small honorariums are fine) or administrative salaries.
How to Apply
Submit International Development Mini-Grant Applications no later 5:00 p.m. (EST), Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
Applications are accepted by:
Evaluation Criteria
International Development Mini-Grant Applications will be evaluated based on their strengths in these key areas:
- Relevance to the goals of the International Development Mini-Grant Initiative
- Quality of the project -- innovation, collaboration, value to the community
- Potential for sustainability following International Development Mini-Grant funding
- Realistic timeline
- Clear and effective evaluation measures
- Reasonable and justified budget
- Deadline
International Development Mini-Grant Application Guidelines
International Development Mini-Grant Application must include the following:
1. Applicant Contact Information:
- Program name
- Contact person for grant application
- Official recipient of grant funds, if awarded (check payee)
- Mailing address
- Phone
- Community served
2. Proposal Summary: Describe the project you are proposing, indicating how it will help to promote Lamaze's mission internationally. (Limit response to 100 words)
3. Project Director and Collaborators: Identify the project director and project collaborators. Describe their background, interest in normal birth and involvement in the project. If a collaborator also offers a financial contribution, it should be noted as well. (Limit response to 250 words)
4. Timeline: Identify the steps and timeline for the project. Include when the activities will start and conclude. Grants will be awarded in October of every year and must be used within the following calendar year. (Limit response to 250 words)
5. Outcomes and Impact: Describe in concrete terms what you expect to achieve with the proposed project. What outcomes/results do you anticipate? What will be the impact on consumers? collaborators? community? (Limit response to 250 words)
6. Evaluation Measures: How will you evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the International initiative in your community? If your proposal is accepted, you will be asked to submit a final report to include the results of your evaluation. (Limit response to 250 words). Prior grant awardees must return this final report before submitting for an additional grant.
7. Budget:
- Total budget for proposed project
- Amount requested from the Lamaze International
- Other project funders/revenue sources
- Project budget detail, including justification for all requested items.
- If your proposal is accepted, your final report must include actual expenditures of the grant funds.
Small deviations in budgeted expenditures that stay true to the intent of the project are acceptable. Project directors should maintain appropriate files with receipts, invoices, cancelled checks which may be audited.
8. Current list of organization officers and membership (if applicable): You may include a list of officers and a general description of the membership, or a link to a web site with a list of the officers and membership.
9. Copy of the organization’s bylaws (if applicable): You may include a copy of your bylaws as an attachment to the application or a link to a web site where the bylaws are posted. If you have not established bylaws, please describe the organization’s mission, structure and decision making process.
10. Promotional Brochure or Supplemental Material: Please provide a web site address for the organization, if one is available, and list promotional brochures or other materials that are available upon request.
Applicants are encouraged to draft responses to the grant questions in a word processing document, which can serve as a source from which to cut-and-paste the respective responses into the online grant application at www.lamaze.org.
*It is the intention of Lamaze International to offer these grants annually based on approved applications and financial availability. Lamaze reserves the right not to disperse grants at its discretion.