Sow a Seed Grant Program

Funding will be dispersed in three different categories depending on availability and the kind/number of proposals received. Funds will be distributed in a single up-front payment.

Tier 1 Awards ($0 – $5,000)

Tier 1 awards are for micro projects with a quick turnaround production and immediate benefit. These awards are targeted at single purchases, materials, and single programs or events. No salaries, contractual services, or other personnel charges are permissible. Requires completed application form, abbreviated proposal document, proof of type of organization, and applicant’s resume. Letters of support are not required.

Tier 2 Awards ($5,001 – $10,000)

Tier 2 awards are intended for long-term projects (typically 3-9 months). The project may involve multiple phases. Awards may cover materials, training, and contracted services. No salary support is permitted. Requires submission of a technical proposal and letters of support. Requires completed application form and submission of a proposal document with budget, proof of type of organization, applicant’s resume, and letter(s) of support.

Tier 3 Awards ($10,001 + )

Tier 3 awards are intended for long term projects with a significant footprint and lasting community impact (typically 1 year or more). Funding may be used for materials, personnel, or contractual services as designated in the application. Projects may include multiple phases, start-up and shutdown time as well as administrative costs. Requires submission of a technical proposal and letters of support. Requires completed application form and submission of a proposal document with budget, proof of type of organization, applicant’s resume, and letter(s) of support.

Applicants must be organizations located in, or actively working in, rural areas of Georgia. Awards will not be given to individuals. Types of organizations include, but are not limited to:

Nonprofits

• Nonprofits with 501 (c)(3) IRS status
• Nonprofits without 501 (c)(3) IRS status

For-Profit Organizations

• Small Businesses
• For-Profit Organizations (Other than Small Businesses)

Governments

• County Governments
• City or Township Governments
• Special District Governments
• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
• Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)

Other

• Independent School Districts
• Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities
• Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
• Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
• Regional Organizations

Rural counties are defined by the State Office of Rural Health (https://dch.georgia.gov/divisionsoffices/state-office-rural-health/sorh-maps-georgia). Applicants may be single organizations or a collaboration of multiple entities.  For the purposes of funding, a single fiscal agent must be identified.

Executive Summary

Highlighting the contents of your proposal and your description of interest in focusing on an area or areas of high need within rural communities as it relates the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center Grand Challenges. The Center has identified ten grand challenges of rural health as a guide  (https://www.georgiaruralhealth.org/grand-challenges/).

Organizational Overview

• Core focus areas or competencies of the organization, including experiences working in rural settings
• Length of time in business
• Physical location of organization/company

Project Goals and Purpose

Project goals must be clearly defined and directly relevant to the one or more of the grand challenges.  Project purpose must be measurable and realistic (attainable within the project’s period of performance).

Project Outputs and Indicators

Describe the quantitative and/or qualitative outputs that the project expects to deliver. Explain how you will monitor progress as well as the indicators that will be used to assess if the expected outputs are achieved.

Project Activities and Methodology

Discuss all proposed project activities, inclusive of a timeline and work plan, and describe the methodology to be applied to implement the project. In this section the relation between project objectives and activities should be clear. Describe the innovative approach and technical methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output and outcome.

Project Team Composition

Identify the project leader(s) and project staff including the following information: name, title/position, organization. Please indicate the role(s) and responsibilities of the project team. The project leader must submit a resume or CV detailing their professional experience, education, affiliations and recognitions.

Budget

The budget proposed must be clear, comprehensive and detailed enough to show all costs necessary to provide deliverables:

• All costs related to this grant must be reasonable and allowable
• Staff (Itemized)
• Supplies (Itemized)
• SOW A SEED Grant Sample Budget Template

Formatting

• Max page limit
  • Tier 1 Award: up to 3 pages, not including reference page
  • Tier 2 Award: up to 6 pages, not including reference page
  • Tier 3 Award: up to 15 pages, not including reference page
• Font size: 11 point or larger; Text color: Black
• Paper size and margins: Standard letter paper size (8.5” x 11”); Provide at least one-half inch margins (½”) – top, bottom, left, and right – for all pages
• Include page numbers
• Avoid jargon
• Spell out acronyms the first time they are used in each proposal section and note the appropriate abbreviation in parentheses. You may use acronyms thereafter.

Letters of Support: Submit up to three letters of support.

Submit all required documents (e.g., proposal, CV/resume, letters of support) using the online form below no later than Friday, October 1, 2021.

Applications will be assessed based on the merits of the project idea. This will include innovation, impact, sustainability, and target. Projects should generally focus on areas of high need within rural communities. Preference will be given to first time grantees and those with a limited history of grant funding. Methodology and evaluation will be reviewed, but not scored, as part of the selection process.

Program Assistance

Award recipients will be assigned a project advisor from the Center that will serve as the point of contact and aid to the successful evaluation of the awardee’s proposed project. Essentially, the advisor will serve as a liaison between the awardee and the Center helping to identify outside resources and partners, and offer expert guidance on project implementation and assessment.

Grantee Development Seminars

Grantees are required to participate in our Grantees Positioning for Success (GPS) Seminar Series hosted by the Center. The series will focus on developing skills that will make grantees more attractive applicants for future grants.

GPS Seminar Topics

• Searching for Suitable Grants
• Building Beneficial Budgets
• Proposal Planning & Design
• Engaging Communities with Enthusiastic Communication
• Activity Assessment Amidst Implementation
• Community Requests

Program Implementation Reports

Grantees are required to submit reports outlining activities inclusive of a measurable timeline, accomplishments, and expenditures. Reporting schedules will vary based on the funding period and be predetermined in the grant agreement.  A reporting form will be provided to the grantee.

Final Report

Grantees are required to submit a final report upon completion of the project. The grantee will also be required to: 1) make the final report available and accessible to community stakeholders, and 2) develop an appropriate dissemination strategy including presentations where appropriate. A list of technical expectations will be provided to the grantee.

The Application Form can be found below. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed and evaluated upon submission of all required documents. 2021 Applications will open July 12, 2021 and close October 1, 2021. All award notifications and funds will be dispersed to recipients in October 2021.