The Field Foundation Emergency and Technical Assistance Fund (ETA) was developed to complement the Foundation's traditional grant making by giving the Foundation the flexibility to respond effectively to organizations' needs in situations where timing may be a critical factor. The ETA is very limited, and therefore, highly competitive. The Fund may be exhausted before the end of the Foundation's fiscal year. Priority will be given to requests for emergency needs.

There are three areas where funding can be considered:

• emergency needs that would lead to a cessation of service or threaten the health and safety of the clientele and/or staff of the organization (An emergency is defined as a one-time occurrence that is beyond an organization's control and unrelated to any ongoing resource development or related issue);
• small discrete projects that proceed over a short time frame, are generally one time in nature of need, and can be effectively addressed through a grant in the range of $2,000 - $5,000;
• technical assistance, (e.g., board development, program planning, evaluation, strategic planning, resource development, fiscal management, and in-service training) intended to enhance or expand internal operating capacity, efficiency and effectiveness.

Criteria

In order for an organization to be eligible for a grant from the ETA Fund, the request must fit the following criteria:

• Must fall within the Field Foundation guidelines and funding priorities;
• Must demonstrate a well-documented need, and/or
• Though qualified, would not be included in a regular Field Foundation grant cycle due to the timing of the request.

The ETA Fund will not pay for tickets or other fundraising activities, nor will it pay overdue bills, payroll, or other general operating expenses.  

Application Process

Organizations are strongly advised to call a Field Foundation program officer prior to submitting an application.

To apply for a grant, a Field Foundation Emergency and Technical Assistance Form (PDF file) must be submitted to the Foundation which documents the magnitude of the problem and a specific time-limited plan to address it. Applicants will be asked for information concerning funding status, budget, audit, and other pertinent information.

An organization may only receive one ETA grant per year. Organizations that have received a regular grant from the Foundation may not apply for an ETA grant until their current grant expires. Moreover, organizations that have received an Emergency and Technical Assistance grant may not apply for a regular grant until their Emergency and Technical Assistance grant expires.


Decision Making and Turnaround Time

In general, applicants to the ETA Fund should receive a response from the Foundation approximately six weeks after the application is received.

Once a decision has been made, turnaround time can range from one day to two weeks.


Accountability

The ETA grantees must submit within 90 days an abbreviated reporting form called The Emergency and Technical Assistance Fund Final Program Report (PDF file).

Grantees' failure to comply with this requirement could preclude future funding.

Emergency and Technical Assistance Fund Checklist

• Cover letter
• Emergency and Technical Assistance Fund Form
• Project Budget
• 501 ( c) (3) Letter
• List of Board of Directors, Member Affiliations and Racial/Gender breakdown
• Consultant's Proposal/Bid
• Most Recent Audit or Financial Statement