The major activity of the GSF is its annual grants program.  GSF limits grants to charitable and educational activities related to health care and health education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Primary/preventive health care proposals serving low income and uninsured individuals in underserved areas of the Commonwealth are a priority for funding.  GSF is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity. It is also guided by the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church as articulated in the church’s 2004 Book of Discipline.  The Foundation does not fund proposals from for-profit organizations or from private individuals. It does not fund proposals from partisan political entities, from fraternal organizations, from veterans’ organizations, or from national organizations such as United Way.  Proposals focusing on fund raising activities (e.g. charitable tournaments, meal functions, team sponsorships or ticket purchases) are not funded.  Finally, the GSF does not fund proposals to create or support youth athletic activities.

At the present time, the GSF funds proposals on a one year basis. Organizations are eligible for succeeding year grants, but follow-up grant(s) must reflect evolving objectives and scopes of work.  The GSF ordinarily does not fund projects that merely supplement annual operating expenses of the organization.  Personnel expenses are not generally funded. 

Grant applicants should use the format outlined in the accompanying documents to prepare proposals. The Grant Cover Page must accompany the proposal narrative. Incomplete proposals or proposals deviating significantly in style or format will not be considered for funding.  APPLICATION(S) MUST BE RECEIVED BY FEBRUARY 15, 2009 (please see the accompanying documents).

Beginning with the 2008 grant cycle ALL grantees must submit a FINAL REPORT for their grant.  Failure to submit this report in a timely fashion will result in the grantee’s organization being ineligible for funding during the next and all subsequent funding cycles until the 2008 final report is received.  For this funding cycle, the 2008 final report will be due on June 30, 2009.  The forms will be available on www.kyumc.org/gsf.

Received proposals will be reviewed initially by the board of trustee’s grants review committee.  In some rare cases the committee may request additional information after the initial review.  The full board of the GSF will make the final determination of the 2008 grant recipients and the amount of the successful grantee’s award.  Successful recipients will be notified on or about May 31, 2009.    

Should you have a specific question about the application process you may contact Mr. Michael Watts at 1-800-530-7236.  Again, thank you for your interest in the Good Samaritan Foundation and its grant program.