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• Who is in charge of the CommUNITY Fund?
• How often can an organization apply for funding?
• Can an organization that is not a governmental agency or 501(c)(3) certified still apply for a grant?
• Can an organization without a 990 or an audit still apply for funding?
• What happens after an organization receives a grant award?
• What if a grant cannot be completed in the projected time period?
• Is it possible to talk to someone about grant ideas and procedures?

Who is in charge of the CommUNITY Fund?
The Vernon CommUNITY Fund was established and is annually funded by the Vernon City Council. The Grant Committee, consisting of seven(7) individuals, makes all decisions relative to the award of grants. Grant Committee members are appointed through the nomination and application process outlined in Vernon City Ordinance number

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How often can an organization apply for funding?
Grant requests will be retained for a period of twelve months after submission. New proposals can be submitted once a year.

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Can an organization that is not a governmental agency or 501(c)(3) certified still apply for a grant?
The Vernon CommUNITY Fund only provides grants to governmental agencies or organizations that are 501(c)(3) certified. The Vernon CommUNITY Scholarship Program offers grants to high school seniors who reside in the Vernon Area who are pursuing higher education. For more information on the VCF Scholarship Program, please click here.

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Can an organization without a 990 or an audit still apply for funding?
Organizations with annual budgets less than $125,000 can submit financial documents authenticated and signed by a Certified Public Accountant. Annual Income and Expense statement; documentation of revenue and sources; along with bank statements will be accepted. Organizations required to file form 990 by the IRS must submit the most recent documents submitted to the IRS.

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What happens after an organization receives a grant award?
Prior to receiving grant funds, organizations will submit a grant agreement letter signed by the Executive Director or Chair of the Board of Directors, a copy of the organization’s IRS Form W-9, and a fully completed ACH (Automated Clearing House) Bank Deposit Enrollment Form. The Grant Agreement Letter outlines all conditions for accepting the grant including the reports required. Grant reports will request an updated budget and contain questions such as:

• What are the major achievements accomplished by the organization or program?
• What are the major challenges the organization or program has encountered?
• How far along is the program or organization in achieving the objectives and goals laid out in the original proposal?

CommUNITY Fund grantees should also be prepared to host site visits from the Grant Committee and its associated partners.

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What if a grant cannot be completed in the projected time period?
If more time is needed to finish the activities outlined in the proposal a request for a no-cost extension must be submitted at least 30 days prior to grant ending date. No-cost extensions of up to four months are permissible.

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Is it possible to talk to someone about grant ideas and procedures?
Applicant Information Webinar Sessions may be conducted in the future. Send contact information to: vernoncommunityfund@ci.vernon.ca.usto receive announcements about these sessions and other public events related to the VCF.

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