PURPOSE

Invest STL and The St. Louis Association of Community Organizations (SLACO) launched the Small Dollars Action Fund for neighborhood groups like neighborhood associations, block units, and informal neighbor collectives in eligible areas. The goal of the fund is to support community members looking to connect with and engage their neighbors and accomplish quick, small initiatives.

IDEAS

Consider activities like getting a video conferencing or mass text messaging subscription for your neighborhood, or creating yard or window signs to promote different events. Maybe your neighborhood wants to organize art, gardening, a dance party or read-aloud sessions to bring folks together. Whatever your idea, this grant is available to help you get started.

BEFORE YOU START:

1. Create a Submittable account or Log in to an existing account: You must create a Submittable account to apply. If you already have an account, skip to step 3. 

• The email you use will receive important communications from us regarding the status of your application as the primary applicant.
•  Please ensure you log in using the email address where you want to receive updates on behalf of your team for the duration of the application and awarding process. If you do not respond, your application will be affected. 
• If you think you should have received a message during the process, check your spam folder. Be sure to add our email addresses to your safe sender list: notifications@email.submittable.com, sdaf@investstl.org, and grants@investstl.org.
• If you are completing this application on behalf of someone else, please enter their email address to avoid duplication and ensure the primary applicant receives all necessary communications.

1. Verify your login email: Check your email for a message from Submittable as soon as you sign up. Click the link to verify your email address and return to Submittable. You may now log in and view the Invest STL Submittable page.
2. Start applying: Choose the program called “Small Dollars Action Fund” with the current cycle. Once you start the application, your progress will be saved and you can return to the application link to complete your application.

You may also fill in the application PDF and email it to us at SDAF@investstl.org. with your supporting documents. 

GETTING STARTED:

• If you haven’t already, search your home address in the search bar at the top of our SDAF Eligibility Map to confirm the neighborhood or area in which you are located. Remember no two team members can live in the same household. Please include unit/apartment numbers if you live in the same building as your team members.
• Be familiar with eligibility requirements, activity criteria, and timeline for receiving funds on our website in the Frequently Asked Questions. Read these guidelines to answer any questions you may have about the application itself and review and award process. You will be asked when you plan to implement your action(s). Apply for the season cycle during which you plan to implement your action(s): Apply during the Spring Cycle for activities happening March through June. Apply during the Summer Cycle for activities happening June through September. Apply during the Fall Cycle for activities happening September through December.
• Sign up for support sessions virtually or in-person as you prepare and complete your application. You may also contact us for support as needed.
• Check your email and Submittable account for communications from us about your application. Add our email addresses as known senders so messages do not go to your spam folder: notifications@email.submittable.com, sdaf@investstl.org, and grants@investstl.org 
  • At least one person on your team must be comfortable using email for the duration of the cycle for important messages that will be sent through Submittable and email. If you are unable to complete the application online, please call us to complete over the phone or receive a paper copy. You may also use this PDF form which can be emailed along with your budget and any supporting documents to sdaf@investstl.org.
• Once you start your application, you will be able to save it as a draft and return to it later by logging into your account. Be sure to save your progress often while completing the application.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Email: sdaf@investstl.org, 314-399-8812 (Invest STL)

APPLICATION STEPS (PLEASE READ):

1. CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY: Before you get to the main application, you will be asked a few basic questions about the intent and timeline of your action. If you enter information that is ineligible, you will not be able to complete the application. Consider if a different action or date would be eligible based on the questions.
2. GENERAL INFORMATION: Provide group name, neighborhood(s), and your contact information as the primary applicant. Remember, you can always save your application and return to it by logging into your Submittable account. -- You can invite your team members to collaborate with you on the application by selecting "Manage Collaborators" at the top right corner of the application page. Anyone who works directly in the application must create a Submittable account.
3. TEAM MEMBER VERIFICATION PROCESS: You will be asked to send a reference request to each of your team members. This is different from adding collaborators to your application. Your team members will receive an email requesting that they verify their name and home address. They will not need a Submittable account to respond to this reference form. They must live in the same neighborhood or cluster as you, the primary applicant, and that of your activities, and respond before the application closes to remain eligible.
4. SDAF ACTION PLAN: Answer a few questions to describe how you will implement your activities. View sample action plans on our website under: Application Resources.
5. FUNDING REQUEST: Complete a budget and indicate how much you are requesting from SDAF. View a sample budget in our Application Resources. Remember, you can always save your application and return to it by logging into your Submittable account.
6. SUBMIT APPLICATION: You must click "Submit"  at the end for your application to be received. You will receive a confirmation email and be able to log in to review your responses at any time.

REVIEW PROCESS (4 - 6 weeks): 

1. Once you submit your application, your team members will receive their reference request if you did not already send it and our reviewers will be notified that your application is ready for review. PLEASE NOTE: We will only review applications whose team members have all verified their participation and home address by completing the reference request form or via phone, email, or text. Applications will be reviewed in the order that team member verifications are completed. TIP: completing your application early allows more time for review but does not affect the amount of funds you may be awarded.
2. Your application will be reviewed for eligibility.
3. We may reach out to you within 3-5 business days with questions or requests for additional information via Submittable and by phone. If we don’t hear from you by the time the application closes, we will review your application as submitted. If you apply on the same day the application closes, you will have one week to resolve any issues that may arise. We will not accept edits to your application one week after the application has closed. Visit the FAQ on our website for more information about the review timeline.

 - APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSES - 

As soon as all issues have been resolved, your application will proceed to Award Review where your award amount will be determined. This review may occur before the application period closes.

AWARD NOTIFICATION: Within 4 weeks of the application period closing, the primary applicant will be notified via a Submittable message to the email address you used to sign up about the status of your application. Later, instructions will be sent via email on how to pick up your award.

Get in touch if you have any trouble or questions: 

Email: sdaf@investstl.org | Phone: 314-399-8812 (Invest STL)