Request For Funds: Information

RFP period is closed. Please check back mid-2012 for future grant opportunities. 

For information purposes only, a copy of our request for funds is below:

The Council’s mission is to raise funds to provide financial grants to primarily Delaware Valley based entities dedicated to:

• Promoting research into the causes and cure for Parkinson’s Disease
• Educating patients, caregivers, health professionals and the general public about Parkinson’s Disease, and
• Improving the quality of life for patients and their caregivers

The Council provides financial grants in the following areas:

• Research initiatives at local hospitals and universities that may lead to improved quality of life, improved symptomatic relief from the effects of Parkinson’s Disease, and has potential to find the cause or cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
• Activities that bring awareness of Parkinson’s Disease to the medical, general and underserved communities through advocacy and education.
• Support for physical activities, equipment purchase or home care needs that can improve symptoms and enhance quality of life
• Support groups for patients and caregivers

The Parkinson Council generally provides grants annually in December, with the potential for future follow-on funding depending on the progress of the program and availability of funds. 

Eligibility: 

Funding eligibility is limited to non-profit organizations only, which must be in good financial standing and have the appropriate organizational capabilities to receive and administer grant funds. We do not make grants to individuals, government agencies, or for capital building or lobbying purposes. Organizations must be located in the Greater Delaware Valley area.

To ensure each project follows the purpose stated in the proposal, funded organizations will be required to submit to The Parkinson Council 1.) a written 1 page interim progress and budget report by June 1st and 2.) a final project completion report (not to exceed 2 pages) within 30 days of project completion or at the conclusion of the funding period (December 31st). Notification of changes in funded personnel must be made immediately. Those organizations that do not utilize the total funding amount rewarded within the award period, must reimburse The Parkinson Council.

Selection Criteria:

The Council will conduct a disciplined review of each grant application received that fits within our funding priorities and scope. Criteria will be made with those grants that:

• Have a measurable impact on persons with Parkinson’s Disease and their families.
• Improve awareness of Parkinson’s Disease in the medical, general and underserved communities and the medical providers who serve these communities.
• Conduct innovative research with strong potential to improve quality of life and lead to find the cause or cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
• Provide exercise, equipment and transportation to persons and families with Parkinson’s Disease.
• Require a compassionate care fund which will provide equipment, home care needs, transportation to underserved and under insured individuals.

Any human experiments applied for must include institutional review board approval within two months of funding period. Any animal experiments must include the institution’s animal care and use committee approval.

Application Contents:

• Cover letter, on your organization letterhead, signed by the appropriate organization authority including all relevant information. Date of application, name, address, phone, fax, email, website, contact person and title, grant funds requested, dates covered by the project and formal project name. In the event an award is made, indicate the check payee and address where it should be sent.
• A brief, concise executive summary of your proposed project. Please also include your organization’s primary mission and unique qualifications for this project.
• Narrative (no more than four (4) one-sided pages) to include:
• Abstract: Identification of the specific situation or problem that your proposal addresses. Please note the importance of describing your project in lay terms as well as scientific terms (if applicable). Not to exceed 30 lines.
• Project goals and objectives: Describe the anticipated outcome of the grant and how it would translate directly to benefit those affected by Parkinson's. Not to exceed one (1) page single-spaced.
• Project activities and methodology: Describe your project in detail and show how it meets the mission of The Parkinson Council.
• Funding request and detailed budget. In recent years, The Parkinson Council’s grants ranged from $5,000 to $175,000. Please note that The Parkinson Council does not fund overhead expenses.
• Total project budget: Please note that The Parkinson Council does not fund overhead (indirect) expenses. The total amount and funding sources for the project in addition to the amount requested from the Parkinson Council.   

1. Funding of clinical services cannot exceed $200,000, equipment up to $10,000.
2. Funding for research: not more than $20,000 for post doc research, not more than $50,000 for faculty initiated research.

• Plan for measuring project results.
• Appendices (include the following as attachments)
• Tax-exempt information
• List of staff to be involved in the project and NIH style bio-sketch (not to exceed 2 pages) or CV when appropriate.

Please note:  Applications received with additional information other than what requested above (such as letters of endorsement) or that exceed space specifications will be automatically eliminated from consideration.

The Parkinson Council requires that any scientific publications, or internal or external publications (such as internal newsletters, newspaper articles, web content, etc.) that describe a project funded in part, or in whole, by The Parkinson Council acknowledge The Parkinson Council support. Copies of all such publications/articles must be sent to the Bala Cynwyd Office for our files. 

The Parkinson Council requires the right to audit the disbursements made by the grantee.  If your program should be selected, the audit will be conducted by a Parkinson Council Board or staff member experienced in financial matters.