Partnership Fund Guidelines (New Guidelines Approved by the

Council on April 18, 2008)

General Information and Policies

 The purpose of the Partnership Fund is to support the participation of persons with developmental disabilities and their family members in educational, training, policymaking, and advocacy activities by awarding small grants up to a maximum of $2,500 to persons with developmental disabilities and their family members, groups, and organizations.  A grant could cover, for example, a registration fee for a conference as well as related costs of lodging, transportation, and meals.

 The Partnership Fund operates under a reimbursement policy.  The Council issues a check to grantees in the amount of their award after an activity and following submission of receipts for paid expenses and completion of all required paperwork.  No funds are awarded in advance of an activity.

 The Partnership Fund operates under the definition of developmental disability found in the Developmental Disabilities and Bill of Rights Act (The DD Act).  This federal law defines a developmental disability as a severe, chronic mental or physical disability or combination of both that occurs before age 22 and is expected to last for a lifetime, and that requires supports in three or more of the following life activities:  self-care, communication, learning, mobility, self-direction, or being able to work or live independently.

 The Partnership Fund supports activities that reaffirm the values, vision, and mission of the Council and that fall under, and enhance the lives of persons with developmental disabilities and their family members in, one of the Council’s five main or “Real” areas:  Real Careers, Real Homes, Real Learning, Real Influence, and Real Supports.

 Eligibility

 Eligible applicants and grant recipients are people with developmental disabilities and their family members who live in Georgia, and groups and organizations located in Georgia.

 Eligible applicants and grant recipients are also organizations, including corporations, non-profit entities, and state agencies.  State agencies have a required 50% match.  All other applicants have a required 10% match for grants under $1,000 and a required 25% match for grants from $1,000 to $2,500.  A match is required under federal regulations and includes any other sources used to pay event-related expenses other than federal funds.  Examples include volunteer time or out-of-pocket expenses.

 Priority will be given to people with disabilities, family members, groups, and organizations who have never accessed The Partnership Fund.

 Council Members and Council Staff are ineligible for Partnership Fund grants.

 Organizations applying for a Partnership Fund grant must have an active Federal Employer Identification Number.

 Individual applicants not affiliated with an organization must provide a valid personal Social Security Number in order to be able to apply for a Partnership Fund grant.

 During the fiscal year that an organization receives any other type of Council funding, it is unable to receive a Partnership Fund grant.  (By fiscal year is meant October 1 in one year to September 30 in the following year, as distinguished from the calendar year, which runs from January 1 to December 30 in the same year.)

 An individual enrolled in a course, project or program funded by the Council is ineligible to apply for a Partnership Fund during the fiscal year(s) covering his or her enrollment. 

 An individual, family, group or organization may receive only one Partnership Fund grant per fiscal year.

 An organization may receive or be a sponsor of one Partnership Fund grant per fiscal year.

 People with disabilities and family members, groups, and organizations who have been awarded a Partnership Fund grant are ineligible to apply for a Partnership Fund grant the following fiscal year.  That is, no individual, family member or organization can receive a Partnership Fund grant for two fiscal years in a row.  However, after this time period previous recipients of Partnership Fund grants are eligible to apply to the Partnership Fund again.

 An individual, family, group or organization may not apply for a Partnership Fund grant while a current one is pending (even into the next fiscal year)

 Only one individual or family member (or both) can qualify for a Partnership Fund for the same event in a given fiscal year, unless the event is one for which the Council has awarded a Partnership Fund grant to a group or an organization to cover the registration fee for several individuals or family members.

 The Council reserves the right to deny applications as it sees fit.

 Application Process

 Applications must be submitted on the form provided or online at http://www.gcdd.org/programs/partnershipfund.  Alternative formats are available upon request.

 Applications must be accompanied by a budget and relevant printed literature about the event (e.g., brochure or program) or a Web-site address where information can be viewed and is downloadable.

 Applications for Partnership Fund grants should be submitted between 60 and 30 days prior to the event.  If applications are submitted more than 60 days in advance, they may be held until the next quarter for review.

 Covered Expenses

 Expenses that are reimbursable under a Partnership Fund grant awarded to an individual include an event registration fee, lodging, meals, and transportation (e.g., airfare, mileage, car rental).  Hotel, meal, and mileage expenditures are reimbursed according to the per-diem rates and guidelines set by the U.S. General Services Administration.  The Council has established a maximum of $200 per person for air travel.  Car rental fees are capped at $200.  Registration fees must be reasonable as determined by the Council.  The Council reserves the right to determine the amount and covered expenses of Partnership Fund awards as it sees appropriate.

 The expenses of an entire family are ineligible for payment under the Partnership Fund.  A grant will cover the expenses of one parent or family member of an individual with a developmental disability in addition to those of the individual with a developmental disability, provided of course he or she is accompanying the parent or family member.

 Partnership Fund grants to groups and organizations are limited in scope to enabling the attendance of persons with developmental disabilities and their family members at events (e.g., providing scholarships to individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford to attend).

 Partnership Fund grants do not cover operational costs (e.g., salaries or honorariums), recreational activities (e.g., camps, field trips), therapies or medical services, fundraising events, capital campaigns, social events (e.g., award ceremonies, dinner dances), and campaign contributions to a political candidate or political party.  Nor can Partnership Fund grants be used for the purchase of equipment (e.g., computers or furniture) or to pay for supplies (e.g., programs, invitations, awards, hand-outs) or materials.  (In addition, the Council cannot fund any direct services such as personal supports, day habilitation or vocational training/supports, and respite care.)

 Award/Reimbursement Process

 Due to the limited funding for The Partnership Fund, the Council awards grants based on a quarterly budget.  Awards are made on a first-come-first-served basis each quarter (October 1-December 31, January 1-March 31, April 1-June 30, July 1-September 30).  Applications should be for events taking place within six months.

 To qualify for reimbursement, grantees must submit to the Program Administrator by mail various documents, some before the event, some after the event.  Before the event:  a W-9 and Signature Page, general information on the event (e.g., a brochure, flier, program), and, where applicable, the names and contact information (home address, phone number and, if available, e-mail address) of scholarship users.  After the event:  a letter (which provides the grantee’s name, address, telephone number, and Social Security number, requesting the amount to be reimbursed and a brief report), an evaluation form, an in-kind report form, an invoice (listing the dates of the event and the total reimbursement amount being requested), and original receipts for reimbursable expenses.

 No reimbursements will be made until all required or requested documents are received and deemed complete by the Program Administrator.  Mandatory or requested paperwork received later than 60 days after an event may result in the cancellation of a Partnership Fund grant.  Failure to respond to repeated requests for information by the Program Administrator may also result in the cancellation of a Partnership Fund grant.

 Groups or organizations that receive a Partnership Fund to cover the costs of transportation or registration for its members or other individuals must provide their names and contact information in order to receive reimbursement.