2011 Challenge Grants Program Request For Applications

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) is pleased to announce the 2011 Request for Applications for its Challenge Grants Program. In recognition of major changes facing the HIV/AIDS service sector including implementation of federal health care reform, the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the ever increasing need for supportive HIV/AIDS public policy AFCs Challenge Grants Program invites funding applications from eligible partners to advance immediate and long-term priorities in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Eligible applicants may request multi-year funding in one of three areas: (1) strengthening systems, (2) seeding/measuring innovation, and (2) advancing HIV/AIDS public policy advocacy. HIV Challenge Grants In 2011, AFC plans to make 10-12 two-year grant awards averaging $40,000 ($20,000 per year). The two-year grant period will begin on January 1, 2012 and end on December 31, 2013. The second year of funding will be contingent upon satisfactory compliance of Challenge Grants Program requirements, including matched fundraising as described below. Responses to this funding opportunity are due no later than Friday, October 21, 2011 by 4:00 p.m. Eligible applicants are non-profit Chicagoland agencies providing HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and/or advocacy/legal services in Chicago and the collar counties. To be eligible, applicant agencies must: 1) Be a member in good standing of the AIDS Foundation of Chicagos Service Providers Council 2) Participate in the AIDS Run & Walk Chicago (ARWC) on Saturday, October 1, 2011 3) Meet minimum fundraising match requirements through AIDS Run & Walk Chicagos 2011 CommunityDirect partnership program as described below: Agency Budget (or HIV Program Budget) Less than $250,000 Between $250,000 - $500,000 Between $500,000 - $750,000 Over $750,000 Minimum raised at AIDS Run & Walk $ 1,000 in 2011 $ 2,000 in 2011 $ 5,000 in 2011 $10,000 in 2011

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Funding Priorities: The 2011 Challenge Grants Program will prioritize activities advancing the fight against HIV/AIDS within the three priority populations identified in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy:

Gay and bisexual males and other males who have sex with males of all races/ethnicities African Americans Latino/as

Applicants may cite epidemiological evidence in proposing activities to serve other target populations. AFC recognizes that characteristics such as age, income, gender, immigration status, nationality, drug use, mental health, incarceration and/or other factors elevate the severity of HIV/AIDS among certain groups. Funding Categories: This year, the AIDS Foundation of Chicago seeks applications in one of three priority categories: (1) strengthening systems, (2) seeding/measuring innovation, and (3) advancing public policy. 1. Strengthening Systems: Applicants in this category should propose activities designed to improve the availability or accessibility of HIV-related services, the coordination between HIV-related and non-HIV-related services, and/or structures to support continuity of care for at-risk population navigating multiple medical and ancillary service systems. Proposed activities must be anchored in the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and/or designed to help prepare for national health insurance reform. While system developments within institutions will be considered, projects proposing multi-agency efforts to create more integrated service systems and collaborations will be favored. Projects to explore new collaborative models, new datasharing mechanisms, strategic alliances and collaborations, agency consolidations and acquisitions, and the development of service networks leveraging medical and non-medical partner agencies are encouraged to apply in this category. Strengthening Systems Example: Back-Office Collaboration for Grassroots Agencies Target Population: Community-based organizations located in the same geographic region Description: Four grassroots HIV/AIDS organizations propose a systems collaboration to streamline and share their back-office activities to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. By developing a single procurement mechanism, standardizing human resources procedures and fiscal management, and jointly financing collaborative evaluations, the partners seek to create economies of scale, improve their integrated delivery of services, reduce their administrative overhead, and create greater value for their clients and public and private funders. ** Examples are cited merely to spur ideas of the types of projects eligible in this funding category.

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2. Seeding/Measuring Innovation: Applicants in this category should propose creative practices to meet the objectives of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and/or prepare for national health insurance reform. AFC will prioritize activities with the potential to be replicated and those brokering meaningful agency partnerships and collaborations. Applicants may seek support to seed, strengthen, and/or collect evidence to advance innovate program designs, which must have a population-based impact. Eligible projects in this category include those supporting new interventions in HIV prevention or care that have not yet been proven effective. Funds may be requested to cover the cost of conducting the intervention, collecting program data, and/or evaluating the impact of the project.

Seeding/Measuring Innovation Example: Condom Campaign Target Population: Women and girls, gay men and other MSM, and communities of color Description: This HIV prevention campaign engages community businesses and service providers to promote male and female condoms and lube education and distribution in community settings located in Chicago neighborhoods that are highly impacted by HIV. Through this multi-agency initiative, partners work to increase condom and lube education and distribution. Evaluation efforts study rates of condom knowledge and proper use among members of the target populations. ** Examples are cited merely to spur ideas of the types of projects eligible in this funding category.

3. Advancing Policy/Advocacy: Applicants in this category should propose clearly defined organizing, advocacy, or legal projects to meet the objectives of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and/or prepare for national health insurance reform. AFC will prioritize activities aimed at advancing policy in critical areas where there is little or no other developed advocacy. Applicants may seek support to research and develop materials about their target issue; nurture, expand, train, and mobilize advocacy networks; and disseminate communications and conduct other activities designed to achieve measurable results. Applicants should clearly describe how they intend to utilize the advocacy events, materials, and tools made available by the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and other existing and relevant advocacy networks. Involvement of people living with HIV/AIDS and other affected community members is required.

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Advancing Policy/Advocacy Example: Coalition on Drug Use, HIV, and Hepatitis C Target Population: Drug users and their partners and family members Description: This coalition of public health allies, drug users, and clinicians will develop an advocacy agenda to preserve and expand integrated service settings to meet the unique medical and non-medical needs of drug users under federal health reform. The agenda will attempt to expand and preserve health insurance financing for integrated service sites that provide sterile syringe exchange; clean works; vein care; condoms and lube; HIV testing and treatment; HIV, STD, viral hepatitis and overdose prevention education; viral hepatitis screening and treatment; hepatitis A and B vaccinations; and ancillary case management, housing, food, and legal services. ** Examples are cited merely to spur ideas of the types of projects eligible in this funding category. Application Guidelines: Applications may not exceed10 pages, excluding attachments, and must include the following: 1. The two-page application form (Agency contact information, history, selection of target population and focus area), which does not count toward the 10-page limit 2. Proposed project abstract (1 page maximum) 3. Detailed proposal describing the need, the funding category, and agency qualifications (7 pages, maximum) 4. Workplan (1 page maximum) table identifying steps of the proposed program including staffing 5. Evaluation plan (1 page max) describing the proposed outcomes of the project The following attachments are required: A copy of the applicant agencys IRS 501(c)(3) designation notification letter Current list of board members, including affiliations Organizational chart, with staff and titles Agencys most recent audited financial statements Your agencys most recent operating budget Program Budget Evidence that the agency met its CommunityDirect match requirements to be eligible to apply for AFCs Challenge Grants Program Helpful Information: For more information on the Service Providers Council (SPC) or to receive an SPC membership application, please contact: Donnise Gaffeney at: [email protected]. AIDS Run & Walk Chicago and fundraising tools, tips, team building and raising funds for your organization please contact: Rhett Lindsey at [email protected]. Page 4 of 9 AIDS Foundation of Chicago 2011 Challenge Grants Program

Checklist for Application: (All applications must include in the following order) 1. AFC Private Grants Application pages 6-8 2. Project Abstract (1 page maximum) 3. Narrative Proposal (7 page maximum) 4. Workplan (1 page max) 5. Evaluation (1 page max) 6. Program Budget 7. A copy of your agencys IRS 501(c)(3) designation notification letter 8. Current list of board members, including affiliations 9. Organizational chart, with staff and titles 10. Agencys most recent audited financial statements 11. Memorandum of Agreement (must have a copy if applying as a collaborative or partnership) 12. Proof of Insurance 13. AIDS Run & Walk match form Important Application Dates Friday, September 23, 2011 1:00 3:00 p.m. Technical Assistance Meeting Wednesday, October 4, 2011 10:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Technical Assistance Meeting Friday, October 21, 2011 Last day to submit applications applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2011 Applicants notified of awards Monday January 2, 2011 Project period begins

Applicants must submit eight copies of the application, including cover form and attachments, no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2011 to: Ms. Cynthia Tucker, Director of Prevention & Community Partnerships AIDS Foundation of Chicago, 200 West Jackson Blvd., Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 60606 No application received after 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 21, 2011 will be accepted.

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2011 Challenge Grants Program Application Cover Form

Agency Director/President/CEO: *********************************** Application Contact Person: Application Contact Person Email: *********************************** 501(c) 3 not-for-profit status? Yes No Overall Agency Budget: Funding Amount Requested: Type of Organization: Mission Statement: Agency Director/CEO Signature___________________________________________________ For informational purposes only, please list your agencys district number for the following legislative districts. Visit http://chicagoelections.com/voterinfo.php to find your Chicago alderman and/or www.aidschicago.org/action; or www.votesmart.org (scroll down) for others. ___Alderman (Chicago Only) ___State Representative ___State Senator ___U.S. House Representative 1) Please indicate which target populations are the focus of your grant request: Target Populations General Population MSM African Americans Women Hispanic/Latinos Youth Asian/Pacific Islander Persons Living with HIV
(Not-for-Profit Corporation, Tax Exempt Organization, Medical/Health Care Provider Corp, Other)

Selected Target Population: Selected Focus Area: Tax ID Number (EIN):

Overall AIDS Services Budget:

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(i.e. crystal meth, crack, alcohol, etc.)

Native American Substance Users

Active Injection Drug Users Other (please specify)

2)

Please indicate which geographic areas will be serviced by your grant request: Geographic Representation Chicago North Side Chicago South Side Chicago West Side North Suburban Other (please specify) South Suburban West Suburban Citywide Collar County (please specify)

3)

Please provide the demographic breakdown (exact number and percent) of your clients, board of directors, and staff: Board Race/Ethnicity (#)
White/Caucasian Black/African-American Hispanic/Latino Asian/Pacific Islander Native American Other (please specify)

Client Race/Ethnicity (#)

Staff Race/Ethnicity (#)

Client Gender (#) Male Female Transgender 4) 5)

Board Gender (#) Male Female Transgender

Staff Gender (#) Male Female Transgender No

Is your organization considered to be a minority-based organization? Yes

Please list the agencys five largest private funding sources, excluding AFC. Please include the amounts contributed during the current fiscal year. (Private funding includes foundations, corporations, and/or individuals) Do not list city, state and federal grants here. Funder Amount Contributed

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6)

Please list your agencys total revenue raised in FY 10; FY 11 and FY12 projections. Corporate revenue Foundation revenue Event revenue Individual contributions Government/Public FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 Projections

For the following questions, please provide brief answers (250 WORDS MAXIMUM for each question) that specifically address each question. 7) Please describe the history of your organization, and specifically your HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and/or advocacy activities.

8)

Please describe your agencys involvement in the 2009, 2010, and 2011 AIDS Run & Walk Chicago, including the number of runners, walkers and amount of money raised in each of the years.

9) Please describe how you and your staff are involved in the AFCs Service Providers Council (SPC) activities and/or other local, regional, and/or national coalitions, committees, or organizations.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago reserves the right to conduct site visits to applicant agencies before final funding determinations are made. Page 8 of 9 AIDS Foundation of Chicago 2011 Challenge Grants Program

2011 Challenge Grants Program Project Abstract Maximum 1 Page Briefly describe: The project title Funding category Projects aims, relevance, and milestone steps and activities Expected outcomes and impact Partners, if any

2011 Challenge Grants Program Narrative Application Maximum 7 Pages 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The project title Funding category Project need and justification Project design and characteristics How the project fits the aims of the funding category as described in the RFP. At a minimum, answer these questions germane to the funding category: a. For applications in Strengthening Systems: describe the systemic barrier, opportunities, and interventions proposed. b. For applications in Seeding/Measuring Innovation: describe the problem or barrier the project attempts to address, the creative approach proposed, other innovations undertaken by your agency or others that provide useful lessons, and the potential impact the project could have on the HIV/AIDS sector overall. c. For applications in Advancing Public Policy: describe the challenge you seek to reform, lessons learned previous attempts by your agency or others, and new approach proposed. Address how you propose to leverage AFC and/or other advocacy coalition events, tools, and resources to maximize your efforts. Explain how you plan to involve PLWHA and other community members in the implementation of the project. 6. How the project responds to the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and/or health reform 7. How it leverages partnerships and/or assists the local HIV/AIDS service sector 8. Your agencys qualifications to carryout the proposed project 9. The projects one-year goals and measurable objectives 10. Other revenue raised or pursued to support the proposed project

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