City of Inglewood Nonprofit Champions Grant

Up to $4 Million Allocation for Inglewood Nonprofit Organizations!

Nonprofit Champions Grant application  window extended!
New Application Deadline: Friday, September 22, 2023 at 11:59 pm
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What is the Nonprofit Champions Grant?

The City of Inglewood has launched a nonprofit grant program to substantially infuse resources to meet pandemic response needs and rebuild a more robust economy. The City has allocated up to $4 million dollars of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to provide grants in increments of up to $20,000 for 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) nonprofit organizations that provide vital services to the community, yet have faced economic and financial challenges. These one-time grant funds can be used to support the recovery from significant challenges in covering payroll, rent, and other operating costs due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and the measures taken to contain the spread of the virus.

Grant Amount

This one-time grant of up to $20,000 will provide funding to support nonprofit organizations that provide services in the City of Inglewood. There is a limited allocation of funds available for this Program; therefore, depending on the number of nonprofits that apply, it is possible that not all eligible nonprofits will be assisted. Submitting an application is not a guarantee of funding.

Eligible Organizations

To be eligible for a grant from the Program, the applicant must be either a 501(c)(3) or a 501(c)(19) tax-exempt charitable organization, as described in the Internal Revenue Code and in good standing.

The applicant/organization must also be focused all or in part on benefiting the lives of residents in the City of Inglewood. For-profit entities and/or individuals are not eligible to participate in this program.

Eligible tax-exempt organizations shall meet the requirements below: 

• Inglewood-based, or non-Inglewood-based, but serving Inglewood residents or businesses.
• Be in good standing with the California Secretary of State and the California Attorney General’s Registry of Charitable Trusts if required by law to be registered.
• In operation prior to March 15, 2019
• Demonstrate negative financial impacts directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The application will include a section for the nonprofit organization to provide an economic impact statement, which may include but is not limited to an increase in services provided, an inability to hold fundraising events, a decline in donations, loss of revenue related to government-mandated shutdowns, increased service costs, increased costs for complying with reopening requirements, or costs of new programming designed to assist those negatively impacted by the pandemic and its economic effects.

In-eligible cost:

• Loss that bears no relation or are grossly disproportionate to the type or extent of harm experienced due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
• Contributions to rainy day funds, financial reserves, or similar funds.
• Reimbursements of donations
• Expenses that have been or may/will be reimbursed through any other Federal, State, or Local Program
• Payment of interest or principal on outstanding debt instruments.
• Lobbying, support of candidates for public office, or other political activities.
• Funding for programs or organizations that do not serve Inglewood residents.

Endowments, private foundations, re-granting opportunities, fundraising events, religious or doctrinal purposes (although faith-based organizations may apply for program support.)

The application window for the Inglewood Nonprofit Champions Grant opened on July 24, 2023. The application period will now close at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 22, 2023. 

Understanding the continued challenges nonprofit organizations face due to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are announcing an extension of the application window for the Champions Grant. This extended timeframe aims to provide organizations with additional time to submit applications, ensuring that those in need can access the support they require.

Grant Process

• Grant applications must be submitted online
• During the review process, prospective grantees may be asked to respond to inquiries and/or submit additional supplemental data
• Each application will be screened for the following criteria:
  • IRS Public Charity Status
  • Benefits to City residents
  • Number of City residents served
  • Demonstrated need, including the specific impacts created by the pandemic
• Successful applicants will be notified via email if they have been approved and will begin receiving grants awards by mid-November 2023.

Program Funding & Priorities

• Grant amounts will be based on demonstrated organizational harm caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the organizational response to the pandemic
• Funding priority will be given to small and grassroots groups and organizations physically located and/or headquartered within the City of Inglewood
• Nonprofits organizations located outside of the City but serving Inglewood residents will be eligible for funding but will be considered as secondary requests behind eligible nonprofit organizations located and/or headquartered within the City of Inglewood

How to Apply

The City of Inglewood Nonprofit Champions Grant program application window opened at 7:00 pm on July 24, 2023The application window will now close at 11:59 pm on Friday, September 22, 2023.

You may access the online application by visiting www.cityofinglewood.org/championsgrant.com.  

Applications must be submitted electronically; hard copies will not be accepted. Only complete application submissions will be considered.

Required Documentation

• Completed and signed application
• Copy of IRS 501c3 or 501c19 Tax/Information documents for the tax year 2019, 2020, and 2021
• City  of Inglewood Business Tax Certificate 
• Copy of 501c3 or 501c19 designation 
• Copy of one form of a Government-issued photo ID for business principals, which includes a Passport 
• Copy of official documentation verifying authorization to sign on behalf of the nonprofit (Articles of Organization or By-Laws)
• Economic Impact Statement
• Completed W-9

Organization Overview

• Organization name and contact information
• Mission statement
• Proof of nonprofit status
• Length of time in existence  
• Number of employees
• Description of services provided to Inglewood residents
• Number of Inglewood residents served in recent fiscal years
• Description of how the organization typically raises funds
• Description of how COVID-19 has negatively impacted the organization

Application Support

Applicants may view the online webinar for application instructions. Additionally, staff can answer questions about the application requirements, eligible activities, and/or the funding process. Applicants may contact the Champions Grant line at 310-412-5106 to speak with a representative or email inquiries to championsgrant@cityofinglewood.org. 

Contact

City of Inglewood Economic Development Division
Phone: (310) 412-5106
Email: ChampionsGrant@cityofinglewood.org  

City Reserved Rights

The City reserves the unqualified right and at its sole discretion to:

• Amend or terminate the program with no recourse for any proposing applicant;
• Choose or reject any or all applications received in response to this program;
• Modify the application deadlines or requirements;
• Request additional information of the applicants as deemed necessary and appropriate by the City;
• Conduct further due diligence with applicants or any third party;
• Modify the City’s objectives or scope of the Program;
• Modify Program requirements, general terms, and conditions, or eligible activities;
• Disqualify any proposing applicant based on any real or perceived conflict of interest that is disclosed or revealed by materials submitted or by any data available to the City and/or;