Frequently Asked Questions: North Carolina Healing Communities Fund grant application

Q: Can you tell me a little more about the requirements and expectations for letters of support?

A: Certainly. Two letters are required, but you can submit a third one if you like. No more than three total. The two required letters must be from people who can speak to your organization’s work within the community. They may be from people who are served by your organization or from people representing partner organizations or other community leaders who have direct experience with your organization’s work. If you include a third letter, it may also be from someone meeting these criteria or another supporter.

Q: May letters of support be provided in formats other than traditional, formal signed letters?

A: Yes. Transcribed interviews from members of your community, handwritten notes, emails and/or thank-you cards from recipients of your services are acceptable.

We also understand that you may have a letter of support that you have used for applications to other funding programs. While it is preferable for letters of support to be specific to this fund, those you have received for other funding programs will not be discounted.

Q: Our organization serves un- and under-represented communities which are not listed in those described within the Request for Proposals and application form. Is our work eligible?

A: The list of potentially un- and under-represented communities included in the Request for Proposals and application form (including communities of lower wealth, communities of color, mostly rural communities or where English may not be the primary language) is not meant to be an exhaustive list of communities being served for this program. If your organization serves marginalized communities other than these, there is an opportunity in the application for you to list, define and provide data on those communities.

Q: Can you tell me a little more about the question regarding organization leadership?

A: Yes. The question about your organization’s leadership immediately follows a question about the community your organization serves, and if that is primarily a marginalized community. The question about organizational leadership is intended for you to describe, if applicable, how the leadership of your organization (board and/or staff) is representative of that specific marginalized community.

Q: We intend to request more than our average annual operating budget. Is this a problem?

A: No. However, if you do, please include information that provides insight into that difference and why there is the need to expand your operating budget beyond your recent levels. You may consider including that information in the Brief Statement of Need, Brief Expense Summary or Community Need responses, for example.