06.11.2009 -  VENICE, FL (June 11, 2009) – The economic recession has hit Florida’s nonprofit community where it hurts—in the finances. As a result, Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice will focus its 2009-10 responsive grantmaking on operational support for nonprofits. The first application deadline under the Foundation’s new grant guidelines is July 7.

“These are extraordinary times that call for strong leadership,” said Teri A Hansen, president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “This strategic change in the Foundation’s grantmaking will help keep viable nonprofit organizations sound when our community needs them most.”

According to the new grant guidelines, which are available on the Foundation’s Web site at gulfcoastcf.org, operating grants will provide working capital that reinforces the mission of a nonprofit organization. The grant money can be spent on a variety of expenses rather than a specific program or project. However, the Foundation has implemented two stipulations to enhance the effectiveness of the operating grants it awards over the next year.

First, the Foundation will only fund nonprofit organizations that have a prior history of funding by the Foundation through its competitive grants process. These grantees also should have demonstrated success in their previous grants. “We want to spend more time building relationships with these organizations and understand how the grants will enhance their capacity,” said Mark Pritchett, the Foundation’s vice president for community investment.

The Foundation also has identified three operational areas in which it will focus its operating grants: earned revenues, efficiencies, and effectiveness. Nonprofits that generate income through fees, ticket sales, retail profits, or other revenue-producing means may apply for a Foundation operating grant to subsidize earned revenues. In the area of efficiencies, nonprofits may apply for a grant to reduce their operating costs, for example through the implementation or enhancement of technology, greening of a building, or consolidation of services with other nonprofits. Operating grants to increase effectiveness may be used to seek professional development opportunities, add development staff, or boost organizational capacity through other methods.

Grant funds will not be directed toward capital campaigns for new buildings or property acquisition and will rarely be awarded to start new programs.

The Foundation has received enthusiastic support from the nonprofit community for its move to fund operating grants. “We are thrilled to see that Gulf Coast Community Foundation recognizes the real needs of nonprofit organizations in this challenging economic climate,” said Stephania Feltz, executive director of Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, which received an operating grant from the Foundation in April. “Nonprofits need the help now more than ever to fund our existing programs. The operating grant we received from the Foundation was a true lifesaver for our organization.”