City of Austin’s Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) is an initiative that aims to create a community where general public has access to computers and information technology facilities. The GTOPs offers support and funding to various programs that are dedicated towards providing information technology literacy and education in the society. Grant applications are currently being invited from Austin organizations under the GTOPs program.
Eligibility:
All organizations in the City of Austin or its extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) are eligible to apply for the grant. Non-profit status is required and all programs must be for the benefit of the community. GTOPs is not a fund for private benefit. Funds will not be awarded for entrepreneurial development, inventions, start-up capital for business, or any other private benefit.
Programs having been funded at any level for three consecutive years will not be eligible for GTOPs for the two years following their third consecutive year. Programs deemed to be in default of a previous GTOPs contract are ineligible to apply.
Funding
– Grant Amounts – The total amount of available funding for FY 2011-12 is $175,000. These funds will be divided among grant amounts between $10,000 and $30,000 and will be paid to awardees on a reimbursement basis in accordance with the Grantee’s contract and City procedures.
– Matching Funds – GTOPs requires a 1:1 recipient match for the value of the requested funds by the end of the grant term. This match demonstrates the recipient organization’s commitment to the program and outcome. In-kind as well as cash matches are acceptable. In-kind match may include any combination of volunteer labour, professional services, skilled labour, materials, supplies, equipment, or facilities.
Selection Criteria
In order to be selected for a grant an organization must follow all directions in the application packet, answer all questions thoroughly and be a good match with the goals of the GTOPs program. Between 6 and 10 programs are selected each year depending on the level of funding provided by the Austin City Council, amount of eligible applications received and the quality of those applications.
A winning program will:
– Address the needs of technology underserved populations
– Show benefits to the neighbourhood(s) or community
– Clearly define the problem(s) within the community to be served and describe its severity
– Provide opportunities for volunteerism and participation in the planning and implementation by those the project will serve
– Plan for building community awareness and knowledge of the project
– Promote interaction of many parts of the community, e.g. business and residents, people of different income levels, ages, racial and ethnic groups
– Demonstrate that the proposed project is well planned and ready for implementation, the budget is a reliable representation of the project’s planned expenses and that the proposed match is secure and ready to expend and/or that a detailed funding plan is in place; GTOPs requires a 1:1 recipient match for the value of the requested funds
Last date for submitting the proposals is December 9, 2011.
For more information and details, you can visit this link.
