The Principal Financial Group®

Civic Development Grant Program 2005-2007

“LET FREEDOM RING” is a grant program funded by the Principal Financial Group Foundation, Inc. It will feature civic development projects honoring those who serve our country. Grants will be awarded up to $3,000 each and will require matching funds.

            Suggested projects are: developing Freedom Gardens at historic sites; planting Presidential Trees; initiating new or refurbishing Blue Star Memorial markers, etc. These projects lend themselves well to VA hospitals, cemeteries, military establishments, schools and highway/by-ways, many of which will be of historic value.

            The Principal NGC grant program committee encourages you to review the application procedure and APPLY!

APPLICATION/PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.

DEADLINE NOVEMBER 15, 2005

1. The project must be a NEW project or a restoration of an existing site. One application per club or group of clubs, please.

2. The project must begin after June 2005 and be finalized by May 2007.

3. The application must be written and submitted by a garden club member. The contact person must also be a garden club member.

4. Garden club members' involvement is crucial and must be explained in the application.

5. An estimated, itemized budget of income and expenses must be included in the application. Your budget must list matching funds that total twice the amount of your grant request, i.e., if you request $1,000, you must list estimated expenses totaling at least $2,000.

6. In-kind donations of materials and labor are welcome, but must not be used in tabulating "matching" funds in your budget.

7. Funds received or requested from any other source must be acknowledged/explained in the application.

8. There must be a clearly stated plan for future maintenance and/or monitoring of the project.

9. Interim and financial reports as well as all publicity crediting Principal Financial Group/National Garden Clubs, Inc. will be expected in a timely manner.

10. A dedication or rededication ceremony is

suggested. Every attempt will be made to have state officials, NGC officers and chairmen, and a representative of The Principal attend, if requested.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Grant money may NOT be passed through to another organization; however, clubs are   

    encouraged to network with other organizations or their local government.

2. Conciseness, neatness and overall scope of the project in relation to the size of the

    club's membership will be considered in the judging.

3. Grant funds are not transferable.

4. No book of evidence is required; however, a scrapbook for photos and publicity is

    recommended. Do consider applying for existing state, regional and NGC awards.

5. Applications will not be returned.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

No form is needed. The following information MUST be stated on the cover page of your application.

• Club name, city and state

• Title of project

• Number of club members

• State garden club affiliation

• Name of contact person and his/her title for this 2-year project

• Complete address of contact person (including zip code), telephone number (including area code), e-mail and/or fax. If no e-mail, provide e-mail of another club member

• Name & e-mail address of club president

• Estimated cost of total project and its anticipated completion date

• Amount requested (up to $3,000)

• One or two photos of the site - mounted or printed on cover page

Also attach no more than three typewritten pages to the cover page. Type on one side of the paper only. No folders, please. Briefly describe the project and its impact on the community. Itemize projected income and expenses. (Please refer to Application/Project Requirements #5.)

Send THREE copies of the ENTIRE APPLICATION to your Principal Financial Group/STATE Civic Development Chairman prior to November 15. 2005. State presidents will be notified of all winners and all money will be awarded by January 31, 2006.

FOR FURTHER PROGRAM INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Joan Craig, NGC Chairman

Principal Financial Group Grant Program

642 Talus Way, Reno, NV 89503-1248

Tel (775) 323-3622   Fax (775) 323-3622   Jpetals@sbcglobal.net 

Marilyn Oberti, NGC Vice-Chairman

Principal Financial Group Grant Program

30 Warm Canyon Way, Hillsborough, CA 94010-6741

Tel (650) 344-3600  Fax (650) 344-1203  Marilynoberti@comcast.net 

For further information on sponsorship programs of the Principal Financial Group, go to:

www.principal.com/about/giving/majorsponsorships.htm