**2020 APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED**
In light of the COVID-19 emergency, the Jack Hopkins Social Services Funding Committee Chair has decided to extend the deadline for applications until Monday, April 13th at 4:00pm.
About the Jack Hopkins Committee
Started by, and named after, former Councilmember Jack Hopkins, this funding program began in 1993. Since its inception, the Bloomington Common Council and Mayor have provided over $4.45 million to social services agencies for projects that have made a difference in the lives of City residents in need. The Committee is comprised of five members of the City Council and two City residents with experience in social services.
The 2020 Committee:
- Councilmember Matt Flaherty
- Councilmember Susan Sandberg (Chair)
- Councilmember Sue Sgambelluri
- Councilmember Ron Smith
- Resident Tim Mayer
- Resident Mark Fraley
Timeline for the 2020 Jack Hopkins Social Services Funding process (important dates for agencies in bold):
March 2 - Solicitations issued and application made available
March 17 - Technical Assistance Meeting (Tuesday, 4:00pm) (watch the recorded presentation Here)
April 13 - APPLICATIONS DUE (Monday, no later than 4:00pm)*
May 4 - Committee Application Review Meeting (Monday, 6:00pm)
May 14 - Agencies Submit Answers to Committee's Questions (Thursday, 4:00pm)
May 21- Committee Pre-Allocation Meeting (Thursday, 6:00pm)
May 26 - Committee Allocation Hearing (Agency attendance optional) (Tuesday, 6:00pm)
Early June - Agencies sign funding agreements
June 11 - Committee Debriefing Meeting (Thursday, 6:00pm)
June 17 - Council Action on Committee recommendations (Wednesday, 6:30pm)
June 23 - HAND Technical Assistance Meeting for Grantees (Tuesday, 8:30am)
2019 FUNDING RECOMMENDATIONS
ELIGIBILITY.
To be eligible for funding, a project must meet the following criteria:
1.) The program should address a previously-identified priority for social services funds (as indicated in the Service Community Assessment of Needs (SCAN), the City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department's Consolidated Plan, or other community-wide survey of social service needs). Such priorities include funds for basic services (food, shelter or healthcare) or other services to City residents who are: low-moderate income, under 18 years old, elderly, affected with a disability or are otherwise disadvantaged; and
2.) The funds should provide a one-time investment that, through matching funds or other fiscal leveraging, make a significant contribution to the program.This restriction is intended to encourage innovative projects and to allow the funds to address changing community circumstances. To make funds available for those purposes, this restriction discourages agencies from relying on these funds from year to year and from using these funds to cover on-going (or operational) costs, particularly those relating to personnel. However, the Committee excepts the following from the one-time funding rule:
- Pilot projects
- Projects that need bridge funding – when an agency demonstrates that an existing program has suffered a significant loss of funding and requires “bridge” funds in order to continue for the current year; or
- Collaborative projects
Continued Allowance for General Operational Funds
Please note that the Committee recognizes the growing need for operational funds that do not fit one of the aforementioned exceptions. For that reason, this year -- in addition to accepting applications for operational funds for pilot, bridge, or collaborative programs -- the Committee is again accepting applications for operational funds that do not meet one of the exceptions to the one-time funding rule. However, know that preference will still be given to initiatives that are one-time investments. Know further that this allowance is specific to the 2020 funding cycle; the Committee may not offer this allowance in 2021.
-- Be advised that the Committee will not accept applications from agencies two years in a row for the same operational expense.
-- As always, any request for operational funds must provide a well-developed plan for future funding.
3.) This investment in the program should lead to broad and long-lasting benefits to the community.
NOTE:: Over time, the Committee has worked to further refine each criterion with more particularity. This refinement is captured in the Committtee's Elaboration of Criteria. Agencies should consult this document in preparing their applications.
Questions? Contact Council staff at 812.349.3409 or council@bloomington.in.gov
History of Funding: 1993-2019 (PDF)
2020 APPLICATION MATERIAL:
- Letter from Chair (Please read) and slides
- 2020 Application Form
- Elaboration of Criteria (Please read)
- View an Example of a Well-Written Grant Application
- View the 2020 Technical Assistance Presentation and slides
Application Summaries and Original Submissions 2005-2019: