Tips for Preparing Your Application:

The V2A application is designed not only to be a vehicle for receiving a grant, but also a planning tool to help guide you if your proposal receives a positive response. ​
Tip 1: Use the Application Resources
You are encouraged to preview:
  • the application questions before you begin writing to help you determine what to say and how to organize your information. 
  • the How-To Guide which provides question-by-question guidance 

​Find all of these resources in the Application Resources box. →
Tip 2: Compile Your Info Before Completing the Application
As part of your application, you are required to upload the most recent three years of financial information for your congregation/organization. V2A recognizes applicants have varying methods of maintaining and recording financial information. Of particular importance to V2A is the record of annual income and expenses. 

You are encouraged to gather information and compile your answers before you sit down to complete the online application. This way, the data input process will go more smoothly and efficiently. 

Notice there are word count guidelines for many of the questions. Rest assured your response can be less or more than this number. The word count is listed simply to convey the level of detail the Grant Team is looking for in a particular question. Note that 100 words is roughly a paragraph.
Deadline to submit grant applications:
​ September 30, 2023.
Tip 3: Conduct Thorough Research for Your Budget
The Grant Team wants to help you feel confident you have sufficient financial resources assembled to be successful. Your budget will require research so that it reflects the actual costs of supplies and services you anticipate needing.  The following examples can give you an idea of the level of detail V2A is looking for:
  • If you are hiring a consultant, you may need to consider: what are transportation costs—airfare, car rental, mileage reimbursements?  How much will you pay for lodging and meals?  What is the fee for the consultant?  If holding a group dinner during the consultant’s visit, how much does catering cost for an event of this size? While the Grant Team does not need to know what is on the menu, it wants to be sure that costs are being analyzed and accurately estimated. 
  • If your project requires an investment in technology, what are the anticipated costs for equipment—an overhead projector, large screen, computers, etc.? What might it cost to install the equipment, including wiring and cables?  
Once a project is approved, you will be expected to maintain receipts and an expense log so that you can track your expenditures against your budget. You will also be required to complete a final report of actual expenditures, once your project is complete.

Remember that V2A does not fund ongoing salaries, but will consider the costs for consultants, trainers and new staff whose salaries will be sustained through other resources after the grant period has ended. Likewise, capital expenditures will be considered only as they relate directly to the project. V2A is not a building program and does not start new congregations.

Think about the resources you have, and the resources you need. If the project is intended to be sustained beyond the life of the grant, be prepared to describe how it will be supported both financially and organizationally. ​
You will be notified of the decision regarding your grant proposal by November 30, 2023.

    Questions? Contact the V2A Grant Team here.
Vision to Action is a program of the Florida-Bahamas Synod.