2024 - 2025 NOTICE OF FUNDING AVAILABILITY & REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
OVERVIEW
The Fulcrum Foundation is a private, charitable foundation dedicated to its mission: Support the community’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and societal well – being determined by identified priorities.
Fulcrum Foundation accomplishes this by building and sustaining partnerships that bring together resources, expertise, and vision – working with organizations in our communities to identify issues, find solutions and be a fulcrum for change.
Utilizing our guiding principles, Fulcrum Foundation works with and supports community partners to address critical opportunities in the following areas:
Fulcrum Foundation focuses on partnering with organizations to support sustainable projects that align with its priorities, benefit many people or an underserved population and have specific, measurable impacts. A key component of this process is to reach an agreement with community partners on the definition of success for a project. Throughout a project’s duration, Fulcrum Foundation will be an active partner understanding project challenges, progress, and success.
Fulcrum Foundation Funding, Investment Income and Grantmaking
Fulcrum Foundation was established in July of 2022 when it transitioned its ownership stake in Aspirus Medford Hospital to Aspirus, Inc. With this change, Fulcrum Foundation shifted its purpose from a charitable membership organization (formally known as Memorial Member Association) to a charitable, non – member private foundation. It is with the funds from this transition, along with the funds from the original unification of Medford hospital and clinics with Aspirus in 2001 that Fulcrum Foundation intends to support the community it represents.
Fulcrum Foundation’s Board of Directors include:
Chairperson: John Lange – Nicolet National Bank
Vice-Chairperson: Candice Grunseth – Village of Gilman Clerk
Secretary: Randy Juedes – Hawkins Ash, CPAs
Treasurer: Jason Steliga – Klinner Insurance
Board Members:
Colton Freiberg – Hemer Pickering Funeral & Cremation Services
Len Hamman –Nicolet National Bank, Retired
William Klingbeil – Klingbeil Lumber
Beth van der Berg – Medford Area Public School District
Dale Hustedt – President, Aspirus Medford Hospital & Clinics
Randi Werner - Schreiber Foods, Inc.
Fulcrum Foundation Grant History
Memorial Member Association set the stage of philanthropy for Fulcrum Foundation. Under Memorial Member Association, grants have been provided to numerous community projects including the Our Village Playground in the Medford City Park, Medford Middle School and Stetsonville Elementary School, the Gilman Health & Wellness Center, the CARES (Counseling for All to Reach Emotional Success) Model in Medford, Rib Lake, and Phillips School Districts and Phillips Youth Baseball, to name a few. Fulcrum Foundation is determined to continue supporting local initiatives for health and well – being in the communities we serve.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
Fulcrum Foundation is seeking proposals from organizations and the civic – minded who are currently working in our areas of focus. Initial Request for Proposal (RFP) opens September 2022 and grants for these requests will be awarded by March 2023. Requests greater than $25,000 each are preferred; however, all requests may be considered.
All proposals will be screened for eligibility and reviewed using the following criteria:
A clearly stated goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable (though not necessarily easily), and Time-bound
Compelling rationale that the proposed change addresses a community need and evidence of community engagement in the process
Evidence of a collaborative partnership with experience and expertise to implement the project
Evidence of a long-term impact on community well-being will result from the project
Evidence of sustainability of the project will be achieved
Priority will be given to projects that:
Benefit people in the Fulcrum Foundation service area
Benefit either many people or a specific underserved population
Are implemented by tax exempt organizations with strong and compassionate leadership
Funding Restrictions
Funds may NOT be used for:
Entertainment or alcoholic beverages
Lobbying
Projects conducted outside of the Fulcrum Foundation service area (Residents of Taylor County, the southern half of Price County or within 25 miles of Medford, Wisconsin)
Reimbursement solely for patient care or clinical service delivery
Supplanting funds or resources that are available from other sources
Indirect costs such as ongoing operating expenses of an organization’s routine functions and principal programs or debt reduction (unless there is an acceptable sustainability plan accompanying the request)
2024 & 2025 RFP APPLICATION PROCESS
If you are interested in applying, please review these guidelines carefully and submit the following:
TIMELINE
2024 Fall Award
Phase I Deadline: April 15, 2024
Phase I Finalists Notified: May 10, 2024
Phase II Deadline: June 30, 2024
Phase II Finalist Presentations & Interviews: July 30, 2024
Phase II Finalist Presentations & Interviews: August 27, 2024
Grantees Selected: September 24, 2024
2025 Spring Award
Phase I Deadline: October 31, 2024
Phase I Finalists Notified: November 15, 2024
Phase II Deadline: December 31, 2024
Phase II Finalist Presentations & Interviews: January 28, 2025
Phase II Finalist Presentations & Interviews: February 25, 2025
Grantees Selected: March 25, 2025
*Timelines may change during the initial funding periods. All RFP applicants will be notified of any timeline changes.
Phase I - Preliminary Letter of Interest
Letters of Interest should include the following:
Project Summary Statement
Statement of Need – The “Why” of the project
Project Activity – The “What” and “How” of the project
Expected Project Outcomes
Credentials – Why is your organization best positioned to carry out this project?
Budget – General description of the project funding needs and total amount requested
Copy of organization’s most recent year’s 990 tax filing
If your project is successful in our Phase I initial review process, you will be invited to submit additional information and present your idea in person in Phase II.
Phase II - Finalist Detailed Submission - Phase II Funding Request Form
To facilitate the review process, only applications submitted electronically as attachments via email to Amanda.lange@fulcrumfound.org will be accepted.
FUNDING AGREEMENT
After grantees are selected, funded partners will be required to execute a Funding Agreement with Fulcrum Foundation before the project activities can officially commence. Only the lead community partner organization will receive funding. The lead community partner is responsible for allocating funds to any other partners.
FUNDING PARTNER ELIGIBILITY
Eligible community partners are based in the Aspirus Medford service area, non-profit, IRS tax exempt 501(c)3 or government organizations, including but not limited to:
• Health, social service, and other community-based organizations
• Local governments
• Voluntary associations, foundations, civic and citizen groups
• Federally recognized Indian tribal governments, tribes, and tribal organizations
REPORTING
Projects funded by Fulcrum Foundation must continually engage in a program of evaluation activities to document achieved outcomes and to disseminate lessons learned. Funded projects will undergo an annual assessment of progress toward achieving their objectives and outcomes which may have an impact on future funding.
Progress reports, site visits and conference calls may be required throughout the duration of the project and will be scheduled in collaboration between Fulcrum Foundation and our project partners. Reporting requirements will be outlined on a per-agency basis. A Final Report is required upon completion of all projects. In addition to progress and financial reporting, partners may be expected to report on continued outcomes, sustainability of the project, and any expansion of the project at regular intervals beyond the duration of the award.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For assistance in the application process, please contact:
Fulcrum Foundation
Amanda Lange - Executive Director
135 S Gibson St. Medford, WI 54451
715-748-7507
amanda.lange@fulcrumfound.org