Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program

The Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program (PSMRGP) funded by the Philip S. Miller Trust Fund aims to support social and human services in Castle Rock. This year, the Town budgeted $40,000 for up to five organizations.

Eligibility requirements

Qualified applicants must meet the following criteria.

Organizations currently approved and operating for a minimum of five years, pursuant to the terms of the Internal Revenue Code as:

A. 501(c)(3) - An organization may qualify for exemption from federal income tax if it is organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the following purposes: religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational, fostering national or international amateur sports competition, the prevention of cruelty to children or animals. To qualify, the organization must be a corporation, community chest, fund or foundation. A trust is a fund or foundation and will qualify. However, an individual or a partnership will not qualify. (Internal Revenue Service (IRS))

or

B. 501(c)(19) - To be exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(19), an organization must be either be (A) a post or organization of past or present members of the United States Armed Forces; (B) an auxiliary unit or society of such post or organization; or (C) a trust or foundation for such post or organization. (Internal Revenue Service)

and

Funding request must include provisions for at least one of the necessities of life as listed below:

1. Water
2. Energy
3. Food
4. or Shelter assistance

Application

• The application must include an overview of the organization's mission, an IRS Affirmation Letter as proof of tax-exempt status, necessity of life category, and purpose of requested funds.
• Submit a project budget (XLS) with the application (save Excel spreadsheet as a PDF).
• Qualifying applications must demonstrate the project or service:

1. Provides services or benefits to a significant percentage of Castle Rock residents.
2. Supports the Town's strategic vision.
3. Receives or will receive additional funding outside of potential support from the Town of Castle Rock (must list proposed funding sources, dollar amounts from each and a total dollar amount for project or service).

• The organization must demonstrate the ability to produce measurable results with municipal funds from previous projects. If the organization had previously requested funding for the same project, this will need to get listed on the application. Within 90 days of completion, the Town requests that recipients prepare and submit a summary report of how the organization used the funds, the impact on the Castle Rock community and how the project or services supported the Town’s strategic vision.
• Section 3.20.040 of the Municipal Code states applications must be received by Aug. 1, and monies will be awarded the following year. See Payment Schedule below.

Evaluation process

Due to the requirements of the grant program, a concise application and evaluation process has been established. The Finance Department will coordinate the application process for the Public Safety Commission (PSC). The PSC will perform the initial review and evaluation process for the PSMRGP and make recommendations to Council.

Applications must define the program’s mission and description of the qualifying organizations, broken down into the following sections:

1. Category selection (based on inclusion of provisions for the necessities of life, as described in eligibility requirements)
2. Overview of the organization's mission
3. Proof of nonprofit status
4. Description of project or service's benefit to Castle Rock residents and its support of the Town's strategic vision
5. Sources of additional funding
6. History of grants the Town of Castle Rock has awarded

After Town Council approves funding, the Finance Department will send formal award letters to applicants.  

Timeline

• Applications due: Aug. 1
• Full or first payments awarded for approved grants: Jan. 1 through Jan. 15 according to the Payment Schedule

Payment Schedule