Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

The maximum allowable grant request is $50,000. Grant requests over this amount will not be eligible for review.
 

• Will positively impact the community and its visitors
• Addresses a significant need of the community
• Will be executed by an organization that demonstrates sound administration and financial management
• Entails an initiative that will not depend on ongoing funding from LEAF
• Will be completed within a defined timeline
• The program or project must clearly be in North Elba or benefit North Elba residents and visitors

Applicants requesting $10k or more will be required to provide additional information as requested by the committee.

• Submit only one proposal per organization
• Recipients of grants will be required to submit a Grant Report every 6 months, and at the end of the project
• Additional specific documentation may be requested, depending on the project
• All applications must be completed in their entirety for it to be considered eligible
• All applicants must submit: a description of your organization, its principal activities, mission, and people served (250-word max)
  • Lead organizational contact for project and contact info for staff involved in project and title(s), and list of administrators and Trustees or Board of Directors
  • Project description detailing goals, community impact, needs met, and leveraged resources, if applicable (300 words max)
  • Explanation of how you will measure success and outcomes (150-word max)
  • Timeline of project (50 words max), project budget (1 page max), and organizational budget (1 page max)
  • Explanation of how the organization responds to the cultural and linguistic needs of its clients/constituents
  • Latest Financial Audit and 990 form, if available
  • The application must be completed via the LEAF system. No other formats will be accepted.

• List and describe your organization’s key ongoing programs
• Describe your organization’s track record for collaborating with other organizations working to meet similar needs or provide similar services
• Describe any significant changes to your organization over the last three years (e.g. leadership changes, restructuring)
• Indicate if your organization has an independent board of directors
• Does your organization have a written conflict of interest policy for both its staff and board?
• Indicate whether your organization employs a general counsel or retains the services of outside counsel
• If outside counsel is employed, please list the name and firm

Applications will be reviewed two times a year.

• Round 1: Applications must be submitted no later than February 1 and approved by the North Elba Town Board no later than May.
• Round 2: Applications must be submitted no later than September 1 and approved by the North Elba Town Board no later than December.

• LEAF administrator cross-checks the legal name and address of each applicant and checks for required signatures and forms
• Prescreening: LEAF administrator reviews each proposal to determine if it meets the required grant program criteria
• Review: The North Elba LEAF committee reviews all funding applications. Each project must pass a two-stage approval process before receiving funding. The LEAF committee first thoroughly reviews all applications and conducts interviews as needed. The committee then makes funding recommendations to the North Elba Town Board. Before a project is recommended to the NETB, 70% of the voting members of the North Elba LEAF committee must affirm the decision to fund, or all voting committee members minus one in case of absentees or abstentions.
• Grant decision meeting: Reviewers present summaries and recommendations, discuss proposals, and make final award recommendations, as a committee, to the NETB
• The LEAF administrator will monitor the grant expenditures once the grant has been approved
• The committee will have the ability to grant a portion of a request

• Grants for individuals
• Capital campaigns
• Deficit financing
• Endowments
• Political organizations or campaigns
• Lobbying legislators or influencing elections
• Fundraising events
• Core operating expenses for public sector, government, or not-for-profits
• Projects that are typically the funding responsibility of federal, state, or local governments
• Scholarship programs; however, exceptions are made for summer camp or afterschool program scholarships
• Projects that have already taken place 
• Expenses already incurred
• Religious activities, including, but not limited to, religious services, promotion of religious beliefs, or activities that are restricted to church or religious group membership
• Feasibility/design studies
• Research

• Catherine Bemis – North Country School, Wyatts/Eleanor’s Pasta Kitchen
• Dick Cummings – Town Representative
• Jackie Kelly – Village Representative
• Chris Ericson – Lake Placid Pub & Brewery/Big Slide Brewery & Public House
• Cathy Johnston – Community Member
• MJ Lawrence – ROOST Representative
• Marcy Miller – Pure Placid
• Brooks Reynolds – The Reynolds Group
• Val Rogers – Community Member
• Jenn Webb – Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort