The Bobcats Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic initiative of the Charlotte Bobcats. A supplement to the team's ongoing community relations endeavors, the foundation enables the Bobcats to work in partnership with area organizations to support programs that offer enrichment to the children and youth of the Charlotte region. Through grant awards with a strong commitment to the areas of literacy, fitness and wellness, the Bobcats Charitable Foundation is a powerful resource for our community as we work together to give hope and foster opportunity for our region's future leaders.

THE GRANT CYCLE
The Bobcats Charitable Foundation will review grant applications for funding consideration on an annual basis. The volunteer board of directors, working with the President of the Bobcats Charitable Foundation, will evaluate grant proposals and make funding recommendations based on the merits of each proposal and the potential impact of the proposed project, relative to the goals of the Bobcats Charitable Foundation. Grants are awarded annually in December of each year.-->

FUNDING PRIORITIES
Priority consideration will be given to organiztions demonstrating collaboration with other agencies and whose programs have significant reach in number of people served and a measurable impact on those individuals. Priority also will be given in "seed grants" to initiate promising new projects by existing agencies or by new organizations.

The Bobcats Charitable Foundation has the following funding priorities:

Excellence in Education The Foundation is committed to supporting organizations whose work impacts literacy and the educational advancement of underserved and underperforming children and youth.

Health and Fitness The Foundation is committed to supporting organizations whose work impacts healthy and positive participation by youth in recreational sports, especially basketball. The Foundation is equally committed to supporting organizations who promote the development of healthy lifestyles for young people through proper nutrition, exercise and positive life choices.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The Bobcats Charitable Foundation seeks to support programs that promote the healthy mind, body and spirit of children and youth. Grants will be awarded to groups that demonstrate strong evidence of reaching a large population of those in need, have been successful with high-impact service delivery, and possess quality organizational management leadership. Programs and services provided by groups should promote the importance of literacy and education, health and fitness, or arts exposure for children and youth.

FUNDING GUIDELINES
The Bobcats Charitable Foundation accepts grant applications from all deserving non-profit organizations in the Charlotte area that support the Foundation's mission, complete the application in its entirety, including submitting all additional materials required, and meet the following criteria:

Define children at-risk as one or all of the following: physically, emotionally, and/or economically.

Are a non-profit and qualify as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, having sustained such status for at least 12 months prior to the date of their application.

Are seeking funds for a project that administers services to children or families.

Have at least a 2-3 year operating history.

Have a general membership or constituency that is open to all segments of the community.

Will use all funds to serve clients who live in targeted geographic area.

FUNDING RESTRICTIONS
The Bobcats Charitable Foundation does not accept grants from:

Non-profits without a valid 501 (c) 3 status.

Organization with a fiscal agent relationship.

Organizations seeking the funds for a program for areas outside of the Charlotte region.

The Foundation does not typically provide funding for the following:

General operating expenses.

Capital requests for building and/or major improvements.

Grants to individuals.

Endowment campaigns.

Conferences.

Research projects.

Salaries, stipends or travel expenses.

Any organization that discriminates on the basis of race, gender, religion, national origin or disability.

The ability of the Bobcats Charitable Foundation to support outside organizations is dependent on the quality of proposals received, as well as the success of the Foudation's own fundraising efforts. Regrettably, the Foundation receives more requests for support than it can fund; therefore, some requests are declined even though they meet Foudation requirements. Because of the volume of requests received, we do not provide feedback on proposals that are not funded.