The Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program stands as a beacon of support for non-profit organizations across the United States. This initiative provides crucial grant funding to community-based groups dedicated to making a tangible difference in their local areas. If your organization is seeking financial assistance to fuel its impactful programs, understanding the Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program is your first step. This article delves into the essential aspects of the program, offering a comprehensive guide for potential applicants.
Understanding the Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program
At its core, the Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program is a grant opportunity designed to empower non-profit organizations. It offers a financial boost to these organizations, enabling them to expand their reach and deepen their impact within their respective communities. The program operates through a competitive application process, ensuring that funds are allocated to initiatives that demonstrate clear objectives, community benefit, and alignment with Kohl’s Cares’ mission of supporting the well-being of families and children.
Key Program Components
The Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program is structured around several key components that applicants need to be aware of:
Grant Application Period: The program operates within specific timelines. For the current cycle, the Grant Application Period is set to commence on or after August 12, 2024, at 12:00 am C.T. and will conclude promptly at 5:00 pm C.T. on August 23, 2024. It is crucial to note these dates and ensure timely submission of applications within this window. The program strictly adheres to the Administrator’s computer clock as the official timekeeper.
Online Application Process: The entire grant application process is conducted online through the official program website: www.KohlsCaresHometownGiving.com. Prospective applicants must navigate to this website and click the “Register Now” button to initiate their application. It’s important to understand that even organizations that have applied in previous years must complete a fresh application for this program cycle. Past submissions will not be considered.
Multi-Session Application: Recognizing the detailed nature of grant applications, the program allows for applications to be completed across multiple sessions. This flexibility enables applicants to gather all necessary information and prepare thorough responses without the pressure of a single sitting. However, the critical point remains that all sections of the Grant Application must be fully submitted by the August 23, 2024, 5:00 pm C.T. deadline.
Navigating the Grant Application: Step-by-Step
The Grant Application is divided into distinct stages, each requiring careful attention and accurate information. Let’s break down the process:
1. Organization Registration
This initial step verifies the applicant organization’s eligibility and gathers essential contact information.
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Eligibility Questionnaire: The first part of registration involves completing an eligibility questionnaire. This includes providing the Organization’s Employer Identification Number (EIN) to confirm its 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Only organizations with this status are eligible to proceed.
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Application Contact Information: Detailed contact information for the designated Application Contact is required. This includes:
- First and Last Name
- Title at the Organization
- Email Address (organizational email)
- Direct Phone Number (organizational phone)
- Organization Website URL
Crucially, the Application Contact must be administrative personnel with supervisory responsibility over organizational policy matters. This role cannot be filled by individuals without this level of authority. Only one person can be designated as the Application Contact per organization, and only the first application received from an organization will be considered. During this stage, applicants will also create a password to allow them to return to their application later if needed.
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Agreement to Official Rules and Privacy Policy: A critical step in the registration process is carefully reading the Official Rules and Privacy Policy of the Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program. Applicants must then check boxes to signify that they have:
- Read, fully understand, and agree to the Official Rules.
- Possess the full right, power, and authority to submit the application on behalf of the organization.
- Certify that all information provided in the application is true, complete, and accurate to the best of their knowledge.
- Confirm that no regulations, rules, or organizational policies would prevent participation or receipt of grant funds.
- Agree that any funding received will be used solely as outlined in the application.
Failure to check these boxes will result in the rejection of the organization’s registration, preventing further application progress. Kohl’s Cares and the Administrator reserve the right to request proof of the Application Contact’s authority. Inadequate proof or failure to provide it upon request can lead to forfeiture of grant monies and release Kohl’s Cares from any obligation.
2. Grant Request: Description
This section delves into the specifics of the proposed program or project for which grant funds are sought. Applicants need to clearly articulate the intended use of the funds if awarded.
- Program Details: Applicants must provide comprehensive details regarding the program to be funded by the grant. This includes:
- Issue(s) Addressed: Clearly define the specific community issue(s) that the program will target.
- Beneficiary Population: Describe the population that will directly benefit from the program.
- Success Analytics: Outline the metrics and methods that will be used to quantify and measure the program’s success and impact.
3. Grant Request: Budget
A detailed budget is essential to demonstrate responsible fund management and project feasibility.
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Financial Information: Applicants will need to provide:
- Organization’s 2023 Annual Revenue
- Names and Grant Amounts of the Organization’s Top 3 Donors from 2023
- Requested Grant Amount: Organizations can apply for a grant ranging from $5,000 (minimum) to $25,000 (maximum).
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Budget Breakdown: Applicants must provide a detailed, good-faith estimate of expenses for which the grant money will be used. It is crucial to note that requests for unrestricted funds will not be considered and will not be awarded. Funds must be allocated to specific, defined program expenses.
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Co-funding Disclosure: Transparency regarding other funding sources is important. Applicants must disclose if there is any co-funding from other organizations, corporations, or individuals for the proposed program.
4. Additional Information (Optional)
This section offers an opportunity to provide supplementary information that may strengthen the application. However, it’s explicitly stated that these questions are optional and will not affect the review of the grant application.
Completing all these sections – Organization Registration, Grant Request Description, Budget, and Additional Information (if applicable) – constitutes a complete “Grant Application.” Remember, the final deadline for full application submission is 5:00 pm C.T. on August 23, 2024.
Grant Application Review and Determination
Once the Grant Application Period concludes, the review process begins. The Administrator and/or Sponsor will evaluate all applications received. The approval process is structured in two phases and is based on a competitive review against specific criteria.
Evaluation Criteria
The following table outlines the key questions in the application and the criteria used to evaluate responses:
| Scored Grant Application Questions | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Describe how this Kohl’s Cares grant will be used to support programming at your organization. | The organization clearly outlines a program/project that Kohl’s Cares grant would support – including a description of how the grant will be used, and the intended impact of the program/project for the community. |
| What is the anticipated demographic and geographic reach of this Kohl’s Cares grant? | The requested funding directly makes an impact on the community and the organization is able to measure a quantifiable reach. |
| Please describe how this Kohl’s Cares grant would actively foster diversity, equity, & inclusion among the impacted community | Organization and/or proposed program clearly addresses disparities in diversity and inclusions both within the organization and the populations served. |
| Describe 2-3 specific outcomes/successes your organization will achieve through this Kohl’s Cares grant. | The organization clearly states 2-3 ways in which they will be able to quantify and report outcomes/ success of Kohl’s Cares funding. |
It is vital to understand that submitting an application does not guarantee grant funding. Kohl’s Cares and the Administrator retain sole and absolute discretion in deciding whether to approve an application and award grant monies. Furthermore, Kohl’s Cares reserves the right to award partial funding based on available resources and other considerations.
Grant Application Status Notification and Acceptance
Applicants will be notified of their grant application status via email (to the registered email address) on or around October 7, 2024.
Grant Approval and Acceptance Form
If an application is approved, the Application Contact may be required to complete, sign, and return a Grant Acceptance Form within a specified timeframe. This form may include an Affidavit of Compliance and other documentation to verify that grant funds will be used for eligible expenses as outlined in the application.
Organizations are obligated to immediately notify Kohl’s Cares in writing if:
- Their 501(c)(3) status is rescinded by the IRS.
- The organization or any of its officers/directors becomes subject to investigation or allegations from any regulatory body or tribunal.
- The organization or any officer/director becomes party to a civil lawsuit involving moral turpitude or actions that could negatively impact Kohl’s Cares’ reputation.
Failure to comply with these requirements or if submitted materials are deemed inadequate, the organization may be required to refund the full grant amount and Kohl’s Cares will have no further obligation.
Grant Acceptance Form Deadline
The Grant Acceptance Form, if required, must be signed and completed by Friday, October 18, 2024. Electronic signatures are considered legally binding. Non-compliance or email notifications returned as undeliverable may result in application rejection and grant funds being reallocated.
Grant Confirmation and Distribution
The Administrator will review Grant Acceptance Forms during the Grant Confirmation Period. Upon successful confirmation, a Grant Confirmation email will be sent to the Application Contact by Friday, October 18, 2024.
Grant funds will be distributed as checks made out to the organization, anticipated to be sent in late October/early November 2024. Organizations will receive email notification when their check is mailed. Organizations are responsible for any expenses exceeding the grant amount and for complying with tax and reporting requirements related to grant receipt. Cooperation with Kohl’s Cares and the Administrator is expected to facilitate proper reporting and potential tax benefits for Kohl’s Cares.
Grant Monies Allocation Across Categories
The Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program allocates grant funds across five categories:
| Category | Available Grant Monies |
|---|---|
| Health & Wellness | $150,000 |
| Social Service | $150,000 |
| Arts & Culture | $50,000 |
| Environmental Sustainability | $50,000 |
| Education | $100,000 |
It’s important to note that Kohl’s Cares’ total financial obligation for each category is capped at the listed “Available Grant Monies” threshold. Once this threshold is reached for a category, further grants in that category will not be available. Any remaining funds at the program’s end may be awarded at Kohl’s Cares’ discretion.
Important Application Restrictions and Conditions
- Application Responsibility: Kohl’s Cares and the Administrator are not responsible for late, lost, incomplete, illegible, damaged, or misdirected applications.
- Application Materials Ownership: All submitted application materials become the property of Kohl’s Cares and will not be returned.
- Agreement to Official Rules: By applying, organizations and Application Contacts agree to the Official Rules and the decisions of Kohl’s Cares and the Administrator, which are final and binding.
- Acknowledgement of Receipt: Application receipt will be acknowledged, but this does not imply grant award or obligate Kohl’s Cares in any way.
- Indemnification: Applicants agree to indemnify and hold harmless Kohl’s Cares, the Administrator, and related parties from any claims or liabilities arising from program participation, grant award decisions, or the use of grant funds.
- Publicity Release: Grant recipients grant Kohl’s Cares a perpetual license to use their organization’s name, information, and grant details for promotional purposes.
- Program Modification/Cancellation: Kohl’s Cares reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the program due to unforeseen circumstances, such as technical failures or fraud.
- Program Integrity: Applicants agree not to disrupt the program’s operation or attempt to defraud Kohl’s Cares or the Administrator. Violations may result in legal action.
Dispute Resolution and Privacy
- Disputes: Any disputes related to the program will be resolved individually in courts in Wisconsin, under Wisconsin law. Liability is limited to actual out-of-pocket costs, excluding attorney’s fees, and does not include indirect, punitive, or consequential damages.
- Privacy Policy: Applicant information is subject to Kohl’s Privacy Policy, available at https://www.kohls.com/feature/privacy-policy.jsp.
Sponsor and Administrator Information
- Sponsor: Kohl’s Inc., N56 W17000 Ridgewood Drive, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
- Administrator: Probability LLC, 2 Woodstock Meadows Ln., Woodstock, NY 12498.
Conclusion
The Kohl’s Cares Hometown Giving Program represents a significant opportunity for eligible non-profit organizations to secure funding for impactful community programs. By understanding the program’s guidelines, application process, and key dates, organizations can effectively prepare and submit compelling applications. This initiative underscores Kohl’s Cares’ commitment to strengthening communities and supporting the vital work of local non-profits. Organizations are encouraged to visit the official program website and carefully review all rules and requirements to maximize their chances of success.
