Panoramic view of Baker City, Oregon
HISTORY: The Leo Adler Trust consists of two funds, a scholarship fund and a community grant fund. As Mr. Adler's will clearly states, the primary purpose of the Community Fund is to further worthy projects advanced by organizations for the betterment of Baker County in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
GRANT APPLICATION GUIDELINES: The Leo Adler Community Fund makes contributions to charitable organizations in arts and humanities, education, health, social and historical welfare, children and youth, civic and environmental causes and other fields. The Community Fund focus parallels the focus of Leo during his lifetime. That is, will the grant, if awarded, have a truly lasting impact on Baker County, its citizens and their community.
HOW ARE THE AWARDS MADE?: A Selection Committee of seven (7) persons has been given absolute discretion in making the determination of recipients and the amounts of the grants. They are guided by a combination of their knowledge of the lifetime interests and organizations which Mr. Adler supported, as well as their own judgment. The Committee consists of six (6) members from the Baker County and North Powder areas as well as one (1) member from the Trust Department of U.S. Bank.
WHAT IS LEO'S LEGACY?: Leo Adler's gift to our community represents unimaginable generosity. He bequeathed his gift to us because of his intense love for this community, a love he demonstrated throughout his life. Thus, the Adler Committee believes our obligation is not to merely spend his treasure. Rather, we believe we must ensure our award decisions will result in the enrichment of this area and its citizens. Furthermore, we believe we must encourage Adler applicants to submit proposals that will do the same. If we all do our jobs well, Leo's Legacy will result in accomplishments that will benefit Baker County forever. Leo deserves no less.
FINAL THOUGHT: On www.leoadler.com and in the following pages are the keys needed for a successful application: it is not a "hop scotch" exercise where the applicant compiles a list of numbers, but rather it should be a thorough reflection of the organization. We encourage you to carefully think about what you ask for, why you are asking for it, what you hope to accomplish, your project's chances of success, and the project's relevance to this community. Finally, consider whether or not this project will make a lasting difference.
Leo Adler Community Fund
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Where can I get a grant application form?
A. Download our application form at the bottom of this page.
Q. Should I choose the small community grant application or the community grant application?
A. Use the small community grant application for applications requesting less than $5,000. Use the community grant application for applications requesting $5,000 or more, or for multiple year or phased grant applications.
Q. How should I submit a grant application to the Leo Adler Community Fund (Adler)?
A. Applicants should submit their applications no later than October 1 of each year to the Leo Adler Community Fund, PO Box 7928, Boise, ID 83707. Applications must contain all required information and accompanying documentation in order to be considered for funding.
Q. What happens next?
A. Under the terms of Leo Adler's Trust a selection committee of seven persons has absolute discretion to determine the recipients and amounts of grant awards.
We review all complete applications and are guided in part by our knowledge of the interests and organizations supported by Leo Adler during his lifetime. In addition, we use our own judgment to further worthy projects by charitable or non-profit organizations benefiting Baker County.
The Adler Trust will notify applicants in writing of the approval or denial of their request before December 31st of each year.
Q. Before applying for an Adler grant, should I send a letter of inquiry or letter of intent?
A. No. Completed applications must be postmarked no later than October 1 of each year.
Q. Will Adler meet with me or our Board to discuss our proposal?
A. Not typically. Adler does not have program staff to meet with organizations who request funding. Occasionally, in cases where we feel an interview would provide useful information, where a larger project spans multiple years, or where an application has an innovative or unusual approach, we may ask to meet with the leaders of your organization or project leader(s) to obtain more information or to provide feedback on the application. In addition, we may ask to make a site visit to meet with you to gain a better understanding of your plan.
Q. Would Adler meet with us to consider a list of possible proposals and advise us which one is most likely to be funded?
A. No. You should know your organization's strengths and needs best.
Q. How much money may we request?
A. You should request the amount that your organization or project leader(s) determine is honest and reasonable after thoughtful deliberation.
We prefer to be one of several funders for a large project.
Be sure to include how much you have raised through fundraising efforts, membership drives, etc. We want to know what you are doing to raise money on your own.
Q. Will Adler award multiple year or phased grants?
A. On occasion. We will consider applications that demonstrate thorough strategic planning for each phase and clear, measurable goals or outcomes. You must show how you plan to sustain the project in the future without Adler funds.
Q. Does Adler make "challenge" or matching grants?
A. Yes. We have supported projects where organizations attempt to "leverage" or combine Adler resources with those of other funders, to inspire other funders to make an initial contribution toward a project, or to increase the size of their gifts.
It is important for you to document individuals and other organizations who have contributed to your goal project. Be sure to include information about the amounts requested from other individuals or funders you have applied to for funding.
Q. Why does Adler turn down applications?
A. There are a number of reasons. Our decision to decline to fund an application does not necessarily mean that we believe a project lacks merit. Some common reasons include:
•the project does not meet legal requirements to be treated as a charitable grantee
• the project does not primarily benefit Baker County
• the application is incomplete
• the application is not postmarked by October 1st
• there are more worthy projects than dollars available
• the project, when compared with others, does not demonstrate a need as great as those awarded
• the applicant does not clearly demonstrate a need for the project
• the organization relies too heavily and/or too exclusively on Adler funds for support
• the application does not articulate a solid plan for implementation and measurable results
• the application appears to have been thrown together at the last minute
• financial information does not make sense
• the applicant does not demonstrate how the project will be sustained or maintained after Adler grant funds are expended
• the application lacks evidence of community support for the project
• the application appears to be a duplication of effort
• the application appears to show a lack of coordination with other community projects having similar goals
• the organization does not demonstrate solid financial management capacity and/or the ability to be a good steward of donated funds
Q. What are the key elements of a sound application?
A. A sound application:
• results from solid planning
• addresses community needs and shows how the project will meet those needs
• has a carefully detailed and realistic budget
• makes sense in relation to the organization's mission
• has multiple funding sources
• has clearly identified leadership with the qualifications, skills and experience needed to complete the project successfully
• identifies specific, measurable goals or outcomes within a defined timeframe by which to judge its success
• has a plan for ongoing funding or sustainability, including a succession plan in case of a change of leadership
Q. Are there activities that Adler generally does not fund?
A. In general, we do not award grants to:
• individuals (For scholarships for education and training, please see the Application for the Leo Adler Student Scholarship Fund at: http://www.leoadler.com/scholarship.html)
• retire debts
• make up operational deficits
• fund political campaigns or influence legislation
• fund endowments
• replace funding for activities or materials previously supported by federal, state or local public funds
Q. Is there a limit to the number of grant applications we may submit?
A. An organization will not be eligible to receive more than one grant award per fiscal year. We encourage your organization's leadership to think strategically about your priorities and community needs, and then submit only your highest priority proposal.
Q. Do you consider applications from partnerships for multiple projects?
A. Yes. We encourage strategic partnerships to dovetail their interests, reduce duplication and coordinate their efforts. We encourage applications for projects that build the community's capacity to solve community problems. However, each entity's project will be considered on its own merits. We reserve the discretion to award grants to some partners while declining to award grants to other partners.
Entities not choosing to become a member of a partnership will not be discriminated against because of their decision not to join.
Q. Should we hire a grant writer or project developer/manager?
A. It is not necessary to hire a professional grant writer or outside project manager. If you have planned your project well, answer the questions in our application clearly, and attach all requested documentation, you will cover what we are looking for.
You may choose to hire a grant writer. If so, we ask that you disclose how much you are paying the grant writer and the source of those funds. Please tell us whether you are paying a percentage or a fee contingent upon the amount of the grant awarded.
Q. Do you limit the number of pages of an application?
A. No, but we review many proposals and appreciate succinct, clearly-written applications.
Q. Does Adler provide funding for on-going operations?
A. Ordinarily, we do not look favorably upon applications for ongoing operational costs.
Q. Will Adler consider applications from public entities (city, county and school districts)?
A. Yes, but typically we will not award grants to public entities when asked for funds that will be used for what are usually considered to be core functions of that entity. This is particularly true when a public entity seeks to replace resources previously supported by public funds, tax revenues, bonds, etc.
We have awarded funds for applications submitted by a non-profit group or partnership applying under the "umbrella" of a city, school district or other public entity serving as the fiscal agent for the non-profit group.
Q. Does Adler make site visits or make other inquiries after receiving applications?
A. Occasionally. We may request a meeting with the organization's leadership or project manager. In addition, as part of our "due diligence," we may visit the project site to ensure that Adler funds are used for the purpose outlined in the application.
Q. May Adler applications be submitted at other than October 1?
A. Emergency applications may be submitted and will be considered if a true emergency exists. The burden is on the applicant to demonstrate a true emergency. We reserve the discretion whether to consider an emergency.
Q. What happens next if my application is awarded?
A. Representatives of the US Bank will contact you informing you of your award, will ask you to complete a "Grant Award Acknowledgement" form, and will include a "Grant Update Report" that will be due on July 1st of the following year.
Q. What if I have not expended all of the Adler funds by July 1st?
A. Unused funds should either be returned or, in cases where the funds are expected to be expended for the purpose they were awarded, you may request an extension. We reserve discretion on whether or not to grant such an extension.
Q. Can I use the funds for a purpose different than that described in my application?
A. No. If you cannot use the funds for the purpose intended, you must return the funds as described above, unless you apply for and receive written permission from Adler.
Q. How can I learn more about Leo Adler and the Adler Community Fund?
A. Please see the background information on this website.
Also, for more complete biographical information about Leo Adler, his values and his charitable funding priorities during his lifetime, see The Leo Adler Story: The Spark and the Light. Contact the Baker County Library or Betty's Books in Baker City to order a copy.
Download
Leo Adler Community Fund applications now:
Community Grant Application Guidelines
Community Grant Application Form
Small Community Grant Application Guidelines (Requests below $5,000)
Small Community Grant Application Form (Requests below $5,000)
