PART I - General Information

Organization

1.  Name, telephone number, and fax number
2.  E-mail address
3.  Contact person and telephone number
4.  A current list of Officers, Board of Directors and Executive Staff

Proposal Concept

1. A one paragraph summary of the proposed activity
2. The total amount budgeted for the proposed activity
3. The total amount requested from First Interstate BancSystem Foundation
4. When the requested funds are needed

PART II - Description of Proposed Activity

Proposed Project Information

1. Briefly state:
   • Who will be impacted by this project?
   • What improvements will occur as a result?
   • Describe the geographic area of the activity.
2. Why are you proposing this project? (consider the following when answering)
   • What are the needs being addressed by this activity, and what assessment process was used to identify those needs?
   • What is the information that supports your assessment?
   • What is the level of motivation in your community to do this project, and how broad is the support for the proposed activity?
   • Does this project initiate new activity in your organization and community, and, if not, why is this not a duplication of effort?
3. What are you going to do, and how are you going to complete this project?
   • State your goals and objectives.
   • Clearly state the timeline of your activities.
   • How will you accomplish the goals and objectives?
   • What is the current capacity of your organization to successfully complete this project?
   • How do you intend to collaborate with other organizations or groups to complete this project?
4. Expected Outcomes and Evaluation. (consider the following when answering)
   • How will the capacity of your organization be improved by this project?
   • How will leadership in the community be improved?
   • What will the acquired skills be to your organization and community?
   • How will you build upon the results of this project to meet needs in the future?
   • If the proposed activity is intended to continue, how will it be sustained?
   • How are you going to measure the results of this project?
   • What do you expect to learn from this project, or what concepts, ideas, models, or processes will be tested?
   • How will the lessons learned improve the activity of your organization and the community?

Reports

1. A final narrative report of the activity and evaluation is required upon completion of the project, including a financial report with supporting narrative.
2. Required progress reports will be stated in the grant contract.
3. Any unexpended funds will be returned with the final report.
4. All financial records will be retained for three years following the grant period and will be provided for an audit if requested by the grantor.

PART III - Financial and Supporting Documents

Project Budget

1.  Provide a line item budget of income and expense for the project clearly showing how the requested First Interestate funds would be expended.
2.  Are there other committed funds? If so, who is providing them, the amount and any matching requirements?

Supporting Documentation

1.  Attach current and previous two years of your IRS Form 990 as well as your current operating budget for your organization.
2.  Attach any letters of support or commitments relating to the activity or funding of this project, and any other supportive documentation.
3.  Attach a copy of your IRS 501 (c) (3) Determination Letter and copies of any required licenses.

Completed application should be sent to the local First Interstate Branch for submission to the Foundation.