Each year the National Freedom of Information of Coalition (NFOIC) offers approximately $220,000 in pass-through grants to state coalitions. These grants foster the creation and growth of state FOI coalitions, and further public access to government records and meetings.

The application deadline for this grant cycle has passed.

Please note that the new guidelines specify two forms of state grants: Project Grants ($5,000 and less) and Sustainability Grants (more than $5,000).

Project Grants are for shorter-term projects of smaller scope.

Sustainability Grants are for larger initiatives and administrative and operating expenses, and require a match to be determined by the NFOIC board.

On the application, you will need to indicate which grant you are applying for.

At least two weeks prior to the NFOIC annual conference in May, the NFOIC Grants Committee chair will forward applications, with recommendations from the committee, to the full NFOIC board. The board will review the applications, evaluate criteria noted above, and make funding decisions. Applicants will be notified of the Board’s decision within one week of the board meeting.

• Qualification
• How to Apply
• Examples
• Timetable
• Funding Criteria

The new FORM 990

We’ve created a synopsis of the new IRS Form 990 rules for you. You may download this file (.xls) to your computer and read it using Microsoft Excel.

We hope that it will help you understand the reasoning behind the new FORM 990 and what is expected with the new required reporting.

It might also help when reporting to grantors on project funding.

Please refer to Form 990 Redesign from the IRS for the most up-to-date information, and to access the Form 990 and other schedules.

Qualification

Grant applicants must be NFOIC members with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. For information regarding 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, see Publication 4220 (PDF/Adobe Acrobat File) on www.irs.gov 

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How to Apply

Applying for a NFOIC grant is a three-step process.   

Step 1:  Complete a grant application in full. Application components include:

• NFOIC Knight Grant Application
• Invoice (Attachment A)
• IRS letter (Attachment B)
• Form 990 (Attachment C)
• Cover letter (Attachment D)

Step 2:  Forward electronic versions of all application documents via email to meyersd@missouri.edu, or via CD-Rom to the following address:

NFOIC
Missouri School of Journalism
Attn: Denise Meyers
101D Reynolds Journalism Institute
Columbia, MO  65211-0012 

Each application must provide a detailed process for measuring project results. This is mandatory for funding. Each application must also identify the individual responsible for the success of the project.

For questions about the grant application, contact Denise Meyers at 573.882.9756 or meyersd@missouri.edu.

Please note that grant recipients may be required to provide additional financial and project-related documentation.

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Examples

Grant Application Examples

• Example of an invoice
• Example of a cover letter

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Timetable

There are two funding cycles per year, typically occurring in fall and mid-spring. The application deadline for this grant cycle has passed.

Notification of funding will be provided within a month following funding decisions.

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Funding Criteria

Who's eligible?

Active NFOIC members who have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

What can be funded?

Projects will be evaluated upon their creativity and educational value, as well as on the project's potential to strengthen access in the state. A preference will be given to projects that are educational and enlightening in the area of First Amendment rights, the public's right to know and freedom of information.

While the NFOIC will not define what projects may be funded because of its inability to know all the possibilities, here are some successful project characteristics:

• Presents new ideas: is creative and has educational value
• Increases FOI educational outreach
• Promises sustainability
• Can be easily reproduced in other states
• Will raise the group's profile in the community
• Will bring in new members
• Has matching or additional funds
• Is partnered with another viable organization

Some new categories we now will fund include:

• General operating funds (to be used for startups, and to encourage growth and expansion)
• Production costs of films, videos or television programs
• Web projects
• Advocacy efforts

NFOIC prefers not to fund but still will consider:

• Advertising
• Research for books
• Conferences

What cannot be funded?

NFOIC will not fund:

• Operating deficits
• Lobbying efforts
• Fundraising campaigns or dinners
• Honorariums/Memorials
• Travel (unless associated with a project)
• University F & A

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