The Junior League of Kalamazoo (JLK) is committed to building a better community by awarding financial resources through our funding opportunities. We are committed to building partnerships and finding solutions that make lasting impact within our community.

The Junior League of Kalamazoo has identified two ways that we can allocate resources to areas of pressing need:

Community Grant Fund – Funding awarded one time annually (average grant size is 1,000 -5,000). Letters of Intent are due November 15, 2009. Organizations will be notified on December 16, 2009 to fill out a Grant Application. Applications will be due on January 15, 2010.

Enabling Fund – Funding awarded throughout the year up to $1,000. Enabling Fund requests must clearly demonstrate that funding will support an emergent need. The guidelines and requirements for the Enabling Fund applications are same as the Letters of Intent.

In order to apply for any funding through the Junior League of Kalamazoo, organizations must meet the following guidelines:

I. The proposed application must be consistent with the following:

• Mission: The Junior League of Kalamazoo, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

• Vision: Women Building Better Communities.

• 2009-10 Impact Area: The Junior League of Kalamazoo addresses the social, emotional and health needs of at-risk children.

II. The League will not consider proposals for or support the following:

• Endowment funds

• Religious organizations for religious purposes

• Tickets or tables for benefit purposes

• Individual requests or research groups

III. Funding criteria is as follows:

• Organizations must be a non-profit 501 (c) 3, governmental unit, church, educational institution, or other charitable organization.

• Organizations and the requested funds must serve the residents of Kalamazoo County.

• Organizations that receive funding in a given year must reapply for funding consideration in subsequent years.

IV. Process

Starting this year, all grants and letters of intent for the Junior League of Kalamazoo must be submitted electronically to grants@jlkalamazoo.org.

• For Community Grant Applications, a letter of intent must be submitted to the Junior League of Kalamazoo by November 15th at 5pm. Selected organizations will be notified on December 16th to fill out a community grant application. Deadline for submitting Community Grant Application is January 15th, 2010 at 5pm.

• Completed Community Grant applications will be reviewed by the Grant Review committee with recommendations forwarded to the Junior League of Kalamazoo Board and ultimately, the General Membership for a vote in March or April. Monies for approved grants will be awarded before the close of the Junior League of Kalamazoo's fiscal year (June 30).

• Enabling Fund applications will be accepted throughout the year.

• Each organization receiving funding from the JLK is required to complete programmatic and financial updates due on July 30th of the following year.