Uncategorized – Smith Family Foundation

Funding Qualifications

These COVID-19 Response Mini-Grants are for organizations that are seeking to provide Virtual/Distant Learning support for the educational, social emotional , physical and mental health needs of the citizens of Trenton. Further, we are looking to fund organizations that show the capacity to accomplish the goals laid out in your grant request, be sure to be very clear about the capacity of your organization.

Is the organization located in the city of Trenton and serve at least 85% of Trenton residents?

Does the participating organization serve the needs of the target population without regard to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or creed of participants?

Will all funds be used to specifically address the Educational, Social Emotional, or Physical and Mental Health needs of the citizens of Trenton in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Does your organization have a bank account?

Is the organization registered with the State of New Jersey as a nonprofit organization?

If your organization answered “YES” to all questions, then your organization is eligible to apply at www.sffnj.org . If you have any questions about your organization’s eligibility, please contact Harold Smith, Director of Operations at hsmith@sffnj.org or 609-888-6300.

Funding Restrictions (What this grant will NOT Fund)

*Building renovations and new facility construction

*Capital and endowment campaigns and project

*Fundraising appeals, festivals or events, and sponsorships
*Individual Support
*Sponsorship of events (Sponsorships are occasionally made and solely at our discretion)

*Lobbying or political activities
*Fraternal Activities
*Essential police and fire services

*For Profit entities
*Feeding Programs
*Organizations that have not been in existence for at least 1 year.

Apply Today

 Grant Request Letters are to be submitted online at our website www.sffnj.org Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until Dec 5, 2020 or until funds have been depleted, whichever comes first. Letters should be two pages only 1. A well written request and 2. A budget narrative of how funds will be spent. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. COVID-19 Mini-Grant request can be made for $750 - $1,000

COVID-19 RESPONSE Mini-Grants

On average the summer slide will cause students who are not actively engaged in summer academic enrichment to lose 2 months of reading skill and 2 1/2 months of math skill. Research has shown that many teachers spend up to 6 weeks reteaching old material with many children being lost or disengaged through the processChildren from low-income families are also disproportionately affected by the summer slide, in ways that can affect them years into their education.As if this wasn’t challenging enough, we have the unprecedented task of also combating a global pandemic. This pandemic brings with it new challenges, including an academic drought widely referred to as the Covid Slide. Trenton students lost 4 out of 10 months of in-person academic instruction due to the Covid-19. Like many school districts servicing low-income families the attempt to engage students remotely was riddled with issues of access to technology and adequate learning environments to say the least. The Covid Slide stole an addition 4 months of learning from students therefore increasing academic slides by an additional 40 percent.Covid-19 has also highlighted many of the preexisting issues of mental health concerns within low-income communities such as Trenton. The teetering stability of the daily routine of many Trenton children has been toppled over, further exposing many of the Trauma-Induced mental health concerns in need of Trauma-Informed Care. It is the aim of the Extended Time Learning Grant to develop a 5 Pronged Approach – 1 Academic Benchmarking (Individualized Learning Path) 2. Professional Development (Online Instruction Certification, 3. Technology Infrastructure, 4. Trauma Informed Instruction, 5. Financial Support. This competitive grant application will open in Early October 2020 and will support 3 organizations who run both an after school and summer camp program with at least 75% of the same children in each program.