The Self-Governance Investment Fund (SGIF) The Self-Governance Investment Fund was created to help the grassroots in America grow and be more effective in the coming years. Do you believe in Self-Governance and the power of our Four Pillars of Self-Governance? Are you looking for a way to partner with Citizens for Self-Governance? Do you not have the time or the ability to actually develop a grassroots effort yourself? If the answer to these questions is yes, our Self-Governance Investment Fund provides a means for you to invest in leveraged grassroots initiatives across the country. In return for your donations, we provide vetted grassroots leaders and organizations with expertise, consulting, monetary grants and/or matching funds to help them advance the Four Pillars of Self-Governance. We’re eager for you to help! The SGIF Grant Program Are you part of an organization focused on a strong grassroots movement that promotes one or more of the Four Pillars of Self-Governance? Does your group need project funding, leadership coaching, or any other kind of help to make your efforts more effective? If the answers to these questions are yes, the SGIF Grant Program may be the answer to your needs. The Self-Governance Grant Program can provide any of these forms of aid and assistance: Monetary Direct award Matching funds for a fundraiser Consulting – CSG can provide experts who can help your group in the following areas: Organizational design, development, and formation Filing with IRS Growing membership Leadership training Financial Fundraising Traditional Media Social Media Other Needs (proposed in grant application Grant Award Decision Criteria This is important information for you to review before you begin filling out your grant application. CSG is basing award decisions on the following: The project’s alignment with our stated mission (http://selfgovern.com/about/) The project’s alignment with at least one of our four pillars (http://selfgovern.com/four-pillars-of-self-governance/) Determination that the project is discrete with a defined beginning and end, a solid business plan, a detailed budget, and predefined metrics for measuring success. The uniqueness of the project in its ability to grow the grassroots and not compete or provide product/services that are already available. The project or the organization does not directly support or promote political candidates rather than issues. Agreement by the organization that they will provide a project post-mortem as well as allow us to share best practices with other grassroots organizations. A monetary request that does not exceed $10,000. Please note that the Self-Governance Investment Plan is not designed to provide ongoing operational expenses for existing or startup organizations. The intent of our grant program is to provide aid for discrete projects with relatively short term time spans and with well-defined metrics for success. 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 Status Our SGIF Investment Fund is part of our CSG 501(c)(3) organization. A Section 501(c)(3) organization may give grants to non-501(c)(3) organizations, but it may only be for (c)(3) purposes, and some type of due diligence and monitoring is required to ensure that the grant is used for charitable purposes (as opposed to, e.g., campaign intervention). In the case of organizations that do not have 501(c)(3) status, Citizens for Self-Governance will require a written grant agreement that states the purposes of the grant and that they are consistent with 501(c)(3) purposes, that states that the grantee will be required to return funds not used for grant purposes, and states that the grantee cannot use the funds for inappropriate purposes and must maintain financial records, etc. In all cases we the SGIF Investment Fund will require a written report at the conclusion of the expenditure of grant funds. If you have any questions about this, please email us at [email protected] How to Apply for a Grant Simply fill out the grant form that comes up when you click here. Please answer all applicable questions as our investors want to ensure that their money is well invested in organizations furthering our cause. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected].
