Please see the following about a grant program for non-profits. For questions, contact Country Financial at call (312) 368-3001. As for the Country Financial Community Grant Program liaison.
 
 

 Count on COUNTRY® Financial

2009 Community Grant Program Guidelines ________________________

What is Count on COUNTRY Financial?
Count on COUNTRY Financial is a community grant program for non-profit organizations in Chicago’s neighborhoods.  Grants are awarded to organizations that provide educational opportunities and resources to help families achieve financial security.

For the second year, we are inviting Chicago’s organizations in the neighborhoods where we have a presence to “Count on COUNTRY Financial” by applying for our community grants.

Who is eligible?  
Nonprofit community organizations with current 501(c)(3) status that help families in the following neighborhoods where COUNTRY® Financial has a presence, including, but not limited to: Beverly, Bridgeport, Chatham, Dunning, Garfield Ridge, Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, Jefferson Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, the Near West Side and Rogers Park.  COUNTRY Financial also welcomes nominations from organizations that serve the communities surrounding these neighborhoods.  

Why did COUNTRY Financial launch a grant program?
COUNTRY Financial opened its doors in Chicago two years ago and we are getting to know the city one neighborhood at a time by becoming involved in each community where we do business.  We have already opened 10 offices and hired more than 50 Chicago-area residents and will continue to expand over the next few years.  Count on COUNTRY Financial was established last year to demonstrate our commitment to neighborhood-based community initiatives that enable the financial security of families.

Nothing is more important to COUNTRY than helping the families in our communities meet their financial security needs. Financial security means something different in every community and to every individual, whether it’s to protect property and lives, enjoy the fruits of homeownership, send kids to college or retire comfortably someday.  For some, financial security means accumulating enough assets to enjoy the basics of life that others may take for granted.

Who is COUNTRY Financial?
Throughout our 80-year history, COUNTRY Financial has helped families protect what they have, save for a comfortable future and achieve financial security.  

COUNTRY Financial is the third largest insurance company in Illinois.  We offer a full range of financial products and services, from auto, home and life insurance to retirement planning services, investment management and annuities.  We have been number one in Illinois for client satisfaction for eight of the last nine years and have received a “superior” rating from A.M. Best for the past 70 years.  COUNTRY serves more than 1 million households and businesses throughout the U.S.

Grant specifics
Up to five one-year grants of at least $15,000 per grant will be awarded in 2009.  Grant recipients will also receive the benefit of publicity for their cause and volunteer hours from COUNTRY representatives and employees. Grants are not renewable, but organizations can reapply each year.

Selection criteria for grant recipients
Proposals will be judged on the impact they will have in specific neighborhoods in which COUNTRY does business and how well they provide financial security services or education for Chicago families.

The 2008 recipients include:
•    Genesis Housing Development Corporation, which is improving the Chatham and Hyde Park neighborhoods with financial education for low and moderate income families through the Family Futures Financial Literacy Program
•    Jane Addams Hull House Association, which is providing financial literacy education and individual financial planning for Lincoln Square, Lakeview, Rogers Park and other North side residents;
•    Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) Council, which is expanding upon its financial education programs for community members in the Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Humboldt Park and Near West Side neighborhoods who are seeking skills training and job placement assistance
•    United Neighborhood Organization (UNO), which is implementing its Financial Security for Families Program in neighborhoods including Pilsen, Avondale, Little Village, Tri Taylor, Brighton Park, Gage Park and Archer Heights

The following criteria will be evaluated:

o    How well the organization’s program or service emphasizes the importance of financial security education for children and adults in order to:
•    Manage their money effectively
•    Protect their assets
•    For those less fortunate, develop and accumulate assets
•    Save for special milestones like college, retirement or homeownership
•    Achieve their full financial potential

o    Programs should be executed at a neighborhood or community level beginning in the spring of 2010 and be tailored to accommodate the specific needs of a neighborhood or area of Chicago.  

o    We welcome nominations from organizations across Chicago. Special consideration will be given to those nominations who have 70 percent of people served by the program/service residing in one or more of the following neighborhoods or the communities surrounding them: Beverly, Bridgeport, Chatham, Dunning, Garfield Ridge, Humboldt Park, Hyde Park, Jefferson Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, the Near West Side and Rogers Park.

o    Programs that can be used as a template and be replicated in other neighborhoods in the future will merit special consideration.

o    Organizations should prove their financial health and solvency, as well as demonstrate their efficiency in directing philanthropic dollars toward direct program costs.

o    Proposals should request funding for sustainable programs or services, not operations or capital support.  Your organization’s ability to sustain the program beyond the life of the grant should be explained and documented.

o    The program should allow for the volunteer involvement of COUNTRY employees and representatives.

o    Metrics for measuring success, and how the organization will achieve them, should be built into the proposal.

Who determines the winners?
The COUNTRY corporate contributions committee and Chicago district management team will select a group of finalists based on the above program criteria.  

How do I submit a proposal?
Please create a document/packet of information about your organization and program idea that includes the following sections. All items below must be addressed for consideration:

1.    Background (two-page limit)
o    Organization’s mission, history and overall goals
o    Description of formal relationships with other organizations, such as donors or sponsors, including local organizations in the area you propose to serve
o    Description of current programs and activities (please emphasize major achievements within the past two years)
o    Proof of success in directing philanthropic dollars toward direct program costs
o    Documentation of financial health (ex: financial statement from auditor)
    
2.    Program Description (three-page limit)
o    Primary initiative  
o    Goals
o    Program “brand” in terms of a name, how the program would be communicated, etc.
o    Targeted Chicago neighborhood(s)
•    Please estimate percentage of beneficiaries residing in target neighborhoods in above-listed criteria
o    Target audience (ex: children, families, the elderly, the Latino community, etc.)
o    Implementation plan and timetable
o    Staffing
o    COUNTRY involvement
o    Possible collaboration with other organizations (if any)

3.    Execution and Evaluation (one-page limit)
o    A detailed timeline documenting the preparation, launch and program roll-out
o    How and when you will measure the effectiveness of your program
o    Criteria for success
o    Expected results

4.    Sustainability (one-page limit)
o    Plans to sustain your program beyond the term of this grant
o    Potential for expanding your program to other Chicago neighborhoods (if any)

5.    References
o    Please provide two references for your organization that we may contact. (Letters are also acceptable.)
o    Examples of appropriate references include board members, sponsor organizations, aldermen, other elected officials or patrons who use your organization’s services or other offerings

Applications must be postmarked by Sept. 30, 2009 OR delivered by 5 p.m. CT to the below address.  Please include three copies of the requested sections.

    Count on COUNTRY Financial
    COUNTRY Financial
55 W. Monroe, Suite 3150
Chicago, IL 60603

Winners will be announced the week of Oct. 19.  Grants will be distributed as early as November.
For additional information please call (312) 368-3001.