Island Participant Summary

By genesisfund

4 Responses to “Island Participant Summary”

  1. E. Joanne Whitehead Says:

    Liza, First, thank you for a great meeting on Thursday.
    I know you mentioned that the grant could not be for brick and mortar
    but could you consider the following:
    Islesboro Affordable Property is planning to begin preparations for a second house on the Minor Development of the Mazza property. Is there
    any way that we could use the RCDI Grant for the infrastructure – road,
    septic, foundation but not the house? It would be terrific if we could use
    part of it for this – maybe $10,500 this year could go toward the road
    which will certainly help in building our capacity as a non-profit developer on this 5 acre parcel. Next year we could put $10,500 toward an architect
    and the final $8,500 for site preparation of the 22 acre parcel up island.
    Please comment.

  2. genesisfund Says:

    Joanne,

    Thanks for your question about how Islesboro Affordable Property might use the RCDI grant funds.

    These funds are intended to help island housing and community development organizations look at the big picture. What training, expertise, and/or staff assistance will help you successfully complete projects and meet the organization’s goals over the next three years?

    Because the goal of this grant is to improve your ability as an organization to develop housing now and also in the future, the funds can only be used for training and personnel (staff, consultants, and trainers). There are limited funds for computer equipment. Therefore, hiring an architect to help you develop plans for a future project could be reimbursed, but infrastructure and site preparation do not qualify.

    Since raising funds is critical to successfully completing your projects, you might consider what training, consultations, or expertise you need to do more fundraisng or be more effective fundraisers. We could fund a grantwriter, a staff fundraising position, or pay to have the board trained in fundraising!

    The result of the grant activities should help make your two current projects successful, but also mean that you and your board will have increased skills, knowledge, and ability to make future projects succeed as well. That’s what we hope to accomplish with this grant.

    Liza

  3. E. Joanne Whitehead Says:

    I just thought of another idea – what if we hired someone to investigate the pros and cons of building modular vs panel vs stick built, and focusing
    on Green construction for not only our Mazza Lot #2 project but also for
    the 22 acres? Would this fit their description of capacity building?
    Thanks for your help.
    Joanne

  4. Liza Fleming-Ives Says:

    Yes, Joanne. If hiring someone to evaluate different methods of housing development (with green building in mind) would help further the goals of your organization this would be fine. In writing your plan to Genesis for the use of funds you would just want to note the purpose for getting this information. The plan should be as specific as possible: who might you hire; what information would you request they gather; how will the information be used; and how will it be helpful to IAP in the future.

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