Basic Needs Grant - Food, Clothing, and Shelter

The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust provides funding through its Basic Needs Grant to nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area, focusing on food, clothing, and shelter assistance. Priority is given to vulnerable children and seniors. Grants range from $5,000 to $40,000, awarded for a one-year term, with a minimum funding requirement of $5,000. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) and have a service location in the eligible regions.

Policies
The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation which makes grants primarily for three specific purposes. With few exceptions, grants are limited to organizations within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties as well as the City of Camden, New Jersey.
Ensuring basic human needs, supplementing higher education scholarships, supporting maritime education/maritime heritage preservation, and enabling basic medical research in the areas of heart disease, cancer and AIDS.
The Trust awards grants to nonprofits that provide direct assistance to those in our community who are in need of food, clothing or shelter. We prioritize requests that benefit disadvantaged and vulnerable children and older adults who reside within the five county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ. The Trust monitors basic needs trends in the region to help us reassess and adjust our grantmaking.
W. W. Smith funds efforts to provide food, clothing, or shelter assistance for children and older adults in the five-county Greater Philadelphia area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ.
Funding Duration & Award Size
Grants are awarded for a one (1) year term.Organizations that receive three (3) consecutive years of funding must then wait two (2) years before being eligible to reapply. We make this determination based on the calendar year of your notice of award.The minimum award is $5,000.There is no maximum award limit. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000. Higher-dollar awards are possible for certain projects. Please contact the Grant Administrator when planning your grant request amount.

Eligibility

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in existence for more than one (1) year are eligible to apply.The organization must have an established service location within the five-county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ.Applicants are limited to one (1) proposal at a time and one (1) grant per calendar year.Funds must be used to address food, clothing, and/or shelter. Most of the grant-supported efforts should benefit low-income or otherwise disadvantaged children (school-aged) and older adults (ages 60 and older). Grants focused on late teens, younger adults, or college students are also considered on a caseby case basis.Allowable uses of funds include:Food - perishable and non-perishable food, produce, baby food and formula, prepackaged or prepared meals, related supplies or equipment deemed essential for food distribution program, grocery gift cards and vouchers;Clothing - direct purchase of clothing for children or adults, clothing gift cards or vouchers;Shelter - home furniture for clients (e.g. beds, cribs , housing payments or utility bills paid directly to vendor, materials for home repair programs, supplies or items (e.g. furniture, equipment, appliances) deemed essential for the provision of housing services (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential programs for children or seniors); andFacilities Improvements – facilities renovations or repairs costs that directly impact clients' ability to access a food distribution program (e.g. pantry) or housing services (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential program).

Ineligibility

We do not make grants to private foundations, Type III supporting organizations, or individuals.The further away any request is from direct provision of literal food, clothing or shelter benefiting children or seniors, the less likely funding will be granted.Unallowed uses of funds include: capital campaigns, general operating expenses, salaries/benefits, pre-development expenses for housing projects, purchasing or enhancing computer systems, purchasing vehicles, requests for new building construction, retroactive funding of non-emergencies.

Application Details

W. W. Smith funds efforts to provide food, clothing, or shelter assistance for children and older
adults in the five-county Greater Philadelphia area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery,
Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden,
NJ.
KEY DATES
Applications received by one of the two dates below will be considered at the corresponding
decision meeting:

• June 15th (11:59 pm) - deadline for October / November meeting
• December 15th (11:59 pm) - deadline for April / May meeting
• Late or incomplete applications will be held for the next meeting.
• ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
• 501(c)(3) organizations in existence for at least one year are eligible.

grants to private foundations, Type III supporting organizations, or individuals.

• The organization must have an established service location in the five-county Greater

Philadelphia area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia) or City of
Camden, NJ.

• Applicants are limited to one proposal at a time and one grant per year.
• Funds must be used to address food, clothing, and/or shelter.
• Most of the grant-supported efforts should benefit low-income or otherwise

disadvantaged children (school-aged) and older adults (ages 60 and older). Grants
focused on late teens, younger adults, or college students are also considered on a case-
by case basis.

• The further away any request is from direct provision of literal food, clothing or shelter,

the less likely funding will be granted.
FUNDING DURATION & AWARD SIZE

• Grants are awarded for a one-year term.
• Organizations receiving three consecutive years of funding must wait two years before

reapplying.

Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust

• The minimum award is $5,000.
• There is no maximum award limit. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000.

Higher-dollar awards are possible for certain projects.
USE OF FUNDS
Allowable uses:

• • Food - perishable and non-perishable food, produce, baby food and formula,
• prepackaged or prepared meals, related supplies or equipment deemed essential for
• food distribution program, grocery gift cards and vouchers
• • Clothing - direct purchase of clothing for children or adults, clothing gift cards or
• vouchers
• • Shelter - home furniture for clients (e.g. beds, cribs , housing payments or utility bills
• paid directly to vendor, materials for home repair programs, supplies or items (e.g.
• furniture, equipment, appliances) deemed essential for the provision of housing services
• (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential programs for children or
• seniors)
• • Facilities Improvements – facilities renovations or repairs costs that directly impact
• clients' ability to access a food distribution program (e.g. pantry) or housing services
• (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential program).
• Unallowed uses: capital campaigns, general operating, salaries / benefits, pre-development
• expenses for housing projects, computer systems, vehicles, newbuilding construction,
• retroactive funding of non-emergencies.
• Application Tips
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust

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you can access it by going to www.wwsmithcharitabletrust.org/basicneeds.html and
clicked the link under Apply Online.

• When clicking the "Submit Application" button, you will be required to review the entire

application one final time.

• Email info@wwsmithcharitabletrust.org if you have any questions.

Project Contact Information*
If there is a person responsible for managing the proposed project or program, provide: Name,
Title, Email, Phone Number, Address.
Mission Statement*
Briefly summarize your organization's current mission.

History*
Give a brief summary of your organization’s history.
Main Services*
List the name and short description of up to five (5) of your main services or programs.
Recent Achievements (optional)
Please share up to 3 of your organization's recent achievements and/or recognitions.
Executive Director*
Briefly describe the Executive Director's full name, background, length of time with the
organization, experience, and/or education.
Board Members List*
Provide name, board role (e.g. officer, committee chair, member), years of board service with
your organization. Do not provide contact information.
Total Annual Budget*

• Enter the total amount of your organization's annual budget for its current fiscal year.

Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust

• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.

Administrative / Overhead Percentage*
What percentage of your budget is allocated to administrative (i.e. management and
fundraising) expenses?
Enter the number only. Do not include % sign.
Foundation Funding*
If you have received foundation grant funding in the past year, please list the name of
foundation, amount, and purpose (general operating or project-restricted).
Limit to the 5 highest awards.
RECENT FINANCIAL REPORT SUMMARY

• Complete the following sections using information included on your organization's most

recently filed IRS 990 return. If your organization does not file a tax return, use
information from its most recent financial statement.

• Enter "0" for items that are not applicable.
• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.

FINANCIAL COMMENTS (Optional)
If applicable, you can use this section to:

• • Explain any significant financial changes (e.g. shifts in funding, major deficits or
• surpluses, unusual
• spending or income, etc.) impacting your budget and/or recent financial reports.
• • Explain if your organization did not file an IRS 990 tax return for its prior fiscal year,
• • Share any additional finance-related comments.
• Character Limit: 1000
• Printed On: 9 May 2024 Basic Needs Program 6

Project Name*
Name of Project.
Project Site Address(es)*
List the site address(es) for your proposed project (if different from your main address).
Otherwise, enter "Same as main address" as your answer.
Basic Needs priority*
Which Basic Needs priority does your project address? (check all that apply)
Geographical Area Served*
The Basic Needs Program supported is limited to the five-county Greater Philadelphia region
(Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ.
Please indicate the county(ies) of residence for the persons impacted by this grant (check all
that apply).
Persons Impacted
The Basic Needs program is intended to impact seniors, children, families with children, and
college students. For each category, enter the number of persons you project will benefit from
this grant. You can use the "Other" category for persons outside of the populations listed. You
can enter "0" for any category that is not the focus of your project.
idea of the size and scope of your intended efforts, per your own goals.

Percent of Persons Low-Income*
Of the persons who would benefit from this grant, what percentage would you expect to be
lowincome?
For this question, please use "at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG)" as a
guide.
You can click here or search online for HHS Poverty Guidelines for the current year.
Enter number only. Do not include % sign.
Low-Income Determination*
What method(s) do you use to determine the income level for the persons who would benefit
from this grant?
Project Need*
Describe the need for your proposed project.

• Identify the issue or need to be addressed, providing evidence of size and/or severity.

Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust

• Provide demographic and geographic information regarding the community,

neighborhoods, and/or persons who would benefit from this grant.
Project Goals*
List up to 3 goals for this project.
Project Activities*

• List the main activities your organization will undertake to achieve the goal(s).

If this is an ongoing program, briefly describe the typical activities, service process, and
how many persons benefited over the past two years.
• List up to 3 persons most responsible for this project

• Only list full name, job title, and number of years employed with your organization.

Measuring Progress*

• How would you define "success" for this specific project?
• How do you intend to track and document any successes?

Collaboration*
Briefly describe any formal or informal partnerships that may be relevant to this grant request.
Continuum of Services*
How will the proposed project complement other local efforts to address the same needs?
External Monitoring*

• Briefly describe any external groups that monitor or evaluate the activities related to

this grant request.

• Examples include government agencies, certifying entities, professional associations,

and/or funders that regularly review your activities based upon set criteria.

• Insert N/A if not applicable.

Grant Request Amount*

• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.

Total Program Budget Amount*

• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.

Use of Funds Detail
Use the fields below to input the total amount you are requesting for each expense type.

• Enter "0" for any expense that is not applicable for your project.
• A list of allowable expenses is included below as a guide. You may use Other Cost when

necessary and then explain in the Budget Narrative.

• Keep in mind that the further away any request is from direct provision of food,

clothing, or shelter, the less likely funding for cost(s) will be granted.

• We may later request cost estimates for equipment or facilities projects during the

application review process.
Allowable Expenses

• Food - perishable and non-perishable food, baby food and formula, prepared meals,

kitchen supplies or

• equipment deemed essential for food or meal program, grocery gift cards and vouchers;
• Clothing - direct purchase of clothing for children or adults, clothing gift cards or

vouchers;

• Shelter - home furniture for clients, housing and utility payments for clients, materials

for client home repairs,

• furniture and appliances deemed essential for the provision of emergency shelter or

transitional housing); and

• Facilities Improvements - facilities renovations or repairs costs that directly impact

clients' ability to access and benefit from a food distribution program (e.g. pantry) or
housing services (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential program).

Budget Narrative*

• Please clarify the expenses included in the summary request budget, as needed.

understand the need.

• If you input a dollar amount for Other Costs, explain.

Example:

• • Food: Kitchen Appliances or Supplies ($5,000) - includes (1) Convection Oven ($3,000),
• (2) Containers ($950), (3) Various Utensils, Plates, etc. ($1,050)
• • Other ($2,500) - includes (1) Personal Care Items ($1,500), (2) Baby Supplies ($2,000)
• Character Limit: 1500
• Other Project Funding*
• List other sources that may fund this project. List funding source, amount, and status

(pending or received/committed) for each.

• For pending grant requests, include funder's name, amount requested, and expected

decision date.

• If only pursuing funding from W. W. Smith, please state that.

For Facilities Project Requests Only

• Describe your controlling interest in the facility (fully owned or term lease) and if the

project is likely to be

• completed within a year.
• If your organization does not own the building, please list the owner.
• Note: For major projects, the Trust may later request vendor estimates during the grant

review process.
Most Recent W. W. Smith Grant Summary (If applicable)*
Provide a summary of your most recent W. W. Smith Basic Needs grant. Include the following:

• Printed On: 9 May 2024 Basic Needs Program 12

• Use of Funds

• The number of seniors, children, or families with children served with the funds and

how they benefited.
If you have not received a W. W. Smith grant in the past, please state that below.
If you are a current grantee submitting this application prior to the end of your grant period,
use this section as your interim progress update, based upon use of funds to-date. If awarded a
follow-on grant, your full final report will be requested closer to the start date of your new
award.
Mailing Address*
If awarded, you will be mailed a check. Please type your mailing address below, including
contact person for payments and the name of your organization as it should appear on the
check.
Note: If you are applying under a fiscal sponsor, please indicate that and provide the sponsor's
Organization Name, Tax ID, Mailing Address, and Contact Person (Name, Phone, Email Address).
Financial Statements*
Please upload your most recent annual financial statement (audited if available)
If your organization is audited or reviewed, upload your most recent audit or review. If not,
upload the board-approved financial statements from your most recently completed fiscal year.
Organization Budget for Current Fiscal Year*
Upload the organization's annual budget, including both expenses and income, for the current
fiscal year.

Program Budget
If your request is for just one program out of many offered by your organization, upload your
program-specific budget, if applicable.
IRS 990
Upload your IRS 990 for the most fiscal year.
Request Summary
Summarize request in 1-2 sentences for the purposes of the distribution binder / board review.

Amount Recommended
Insert amount recommended by the application reviewer.
Site Visit
Insert the date of the site visit, the type (virtual or at client site), and the Trust member(s) in
attendance.
Example: July 4, 2023 at program site with Debbie McKenna, Louise Havens, and Brian Jones in
attendance.
Oomph Score
Insert Oomph Score for the request.
Application Score
This is the score generated from the application evaluation scoring rubric.