Q: I just found out about the grant program and have missed the deadline for the Letter of Intent (LOI). May I still send a Letter of Intent- even if it's late? Is the LOI required? May I still submit an application?
A: Applicants will not be deemed ineligible if they do not submit the LOI before the deadline; they are, however, encouraged to submit an LOI - even after the deadline - in order to develop a communication link with the Colorado Rural Health Center in the event that additional information is made available. The LOI is not required; it is, however, strongly encouraged. Applicants who choose not to submit an LOI may still submit an application.
Q: We are located in an urban area, but we provide services to rural Colorado. Can we apply?
A: While the Council recognizes the invaluable services and resources provided to ruarl Colorado by urban-based providers, this small grant program is only available to applicants located in non-urbanized areas. An eligible rural-based organization could certainly apply for grant funds on behalf of their urban partner if that is how they chose to serve the needs of the underserved people in their community.
Q: My organization is located inside of an Urbanized Area. But we're rural! Are we ineligible to apply for this funding?
A: There are many different definitions of "rural" utilized by state and federal programs to determine eligibility. For the purposes of this grant program, the Council chose to rely upon the U.S. Census Bureau's definition of Urbanized Areas. Only applicants located outside one of Colorado's Urbanized Areas are eligbile to apply. The Council will allow for an appeal process in setting eligibilty criteria. If you believe your organization should be considered "rural", please submit a letter describing how your organization and project meet the intent of this grant program, and describe your location and your rationale for why your organization should be considered "rural". The council will consider your request and make a determination regarding your eligibility to apply within 10 days.
Q: What about organizations that serve large regions that include services to patients inside Urbanized Areas - are they eligible to apply for funding?
A: As long as the applicant is located outside an Urbanized Area and is requesting grant funds for a project that includes the provision of outpatient primary care services - medical, oral, or mental health services - to underserved people in rural Colorado, it is eligible for application.
Q: Can I apply for a grant to conduct a feasibility study or hire a consultant to help us examine our options?
A: The Council members realize the value and necessity of a thorough examination of need and options prior to making an infrastructure decision or investment, and that there can be costs associated with these activities. However, since the possibility exists that a feasibility study could be conducted and the decision made to NOT proceed as planned, grant funds should only be requested for the actual infrastructure investment once a decision is made. Note: Documenting in your grant application that a thorough examination or study was done prior to the request being made would certainly strengthen the application's merit.
Q: The original RFA included "vehicles and transportation" as an example of infrstructure projects. Is transportation an eligible project?
A: Vehicles, vehicle upgrades and improvements, or repair, are eligbile projects, howerver, the Council could not identify any transportation funding that would not be considered ongoing operational costs, which is not an eligible use of these funds. The intent of this grant program is to support infrastructure projects the provide a more tangible resource after the grant funding is no longer available. If an applicant has a transportation project that they believe would meet this program's intent, they should contact staff at the Colorado Rural Health Center to seek guidance.
Q. If I score 100 points on the Rural Grant Review Guide, posted online, will I automatically receive funding?
A. No. The Council will make final award decisions based on various factors, including: the scores of each application, community impact, geographic distribution, diversity of projects, and applicant type.
Q: May I submit letters of support with my application?
A: The guidelines state that additional attachments may not be included. Evidence of the involvement and support of other organizations in your community or region strengthens your application; however, in order to keep the applications to a manageable size, Letters of Support should not be attached or included. In the narrative portion of your application, we do recommend that you mention this involvement, and specify the organizations with whom you're involved.