By Pat Biancaniello
Kathryn M. Curran was the guest speaker at the Smithtown Historical Society’s “Grant Funding Opportunities” workshop Tuesday, October 15. Curran is the executive director of the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation;
Kathryn M. Curran, Executive Director Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation a foundation with an annual $5 million dollar grant budget for 501c3’s with history focused missions or properties.
The Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation (RDLGF), established in 1987, supports projects that promote the understanding of the role Long Island and particularly Suffolk County has played in the “American Experience”. Robert David Lion Gardiner, until his death in 2004, was the Lord of the Manor of Gardner’s Island owned by the Gardiner family since 1639.
The focus of the meeting was to inform attendees of grants available through the foundation and other sources but also to provide grant writers with information that will elevate their application.
Ms. Curran was light hearted but no nonsense when she advised grant applicants to do their homework before applying. She made it clear that the RDLGF does not give money without carefully assessing applications.
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She emphasized that no project would be considered without a site visit by the executive director. Her advice is to make sure the site is both clean and inviting. Do a realistic assessment of what your organization is and how it fits with the mission of the RDLGF. Is your website current? Are the displays interesting, inviting and in good condition? Do you have a collections policy and is it implemented?
The RDLGF is generous and with so many organizations desparate for additional resources Curran made it clear that the RDLGF wants to help BUT a great deal depends on the application.
She provided the following information about the application assessment: What we look for:
Sustainability - The organization shows the ability to financially support the project indefinitely and the project contributes to the sustainability of the organization.
Organizational Capacity - The organization demonstrates the financial and human resources as well as intellectual capacity to manage the project successfully.
Community Impact - Projects will benefit and enhance the knowledge of the large audience and /or local community.
In Depth Knowledge - Proposals reflect a thorough understanding of current practice and knowledge about the subject matter.
Project-Based Design - Work plans consist of a set of logical, interrelated activities tied directly to addressing the key need or challenge identified in the proposal.
Demonstrable Results - projects generate measurable results that tie directly to the need or challenge it was designed to address.
Sensible and Justifiable Budget - Applicants craft a budget well-suited to both the scope of the project and the organization’s capacity; the amount requested should neither be inflated nor insufficient to complete the project’s success.
Visit the RDLGF website at www.rdlgfoundation.org for additional information about the foundation and/or additional resources that are available.