National Harbor Community Outreach Grant Fund


The application process for 2009 National Harbor grants will be announced in July 2009.


What is the National Harbor Community Outreach Grant Fund?
In July 2007, an agreement between The Peterson Companies (developer of the National Harbor Project), Prince George’s County Government, and The Prince George’s Community Foundation established the National Harbor Community Outreach Grant Fund as a component fund of The Prince George’s Community Foundation.

The purpose of the fund is to provide grant monies to community, civic, religious, educational, and recreational organizations serving the residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland.

How much will be awarded by the Fund?
An annual contribution of $350,000 will be awarded by the Peterson Companies.

Will special consideration be given to communities most affected by the National Harbor project?
As stated earlier, the purpose of the fund is to provide grant monies to community, civic, religious, educational, and recreational organizations serving the residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland. However, allocation decisions will be made in accordance with the following formula: 40% distributed to entities having projects in or providing services to the residents of the seventh, eighth, and ninth Councilman Districts; 20% distributed to entities having projects in or providing services to the residents of the fourth, fifth, and sixth Councilmanic Districts; and at least 20% of the funds to entities having projects in or providing services to residents of the first, second, and third Councilmanic Districts; 20% distributed to entities providing services broadly throughout Prince George’s County.

How will the Fund be administered?
The Fund will be administered by The Prince George’s Community Foundation (PGCF), an affiliate of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. PGCF is a tax-exempt, philanthropic institution composed primarily of permanent funds established by separate donors to provide charitable benefit to the residents of Prince George’s County. PGCF provides professional management and expertise in philanthropic planning and grantsmanship. In addition, PGCF’s management of the fund includes financial, accounting, information systems, reporting and human resource responsibilities.

Will the Foundation be charging a fee?
Yes. All component funds pay a fee for the grantmaking services provided by the community foundation. Grantmaking services include, but are not limited to, screening applications, providing technical support to prospective grantees, performing necessary due diligence activities and staffing grant review committees. These highly professionalized services offer the most cost-effective way to make charitable contributions as compared to other types of charitable giving mechanisms. In addition to the professional grantmaking services, all clerical support, federal filings and auditing are conducted by the community foundation. In addition to charging fees for services, PGCF receives contributions from individuals and organizations to support its operating and grantmaking expenses.

Will grant awards be restricted to 501-c-3 organizations?
Yes. In general, PGCF awards grants to organizations recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501 C 3. However, PGCF recognizes that in some circumstances, small organizations (defined by annual revenue less than $25,000 per year) and with a limited-scope of operations may elect not to pursue the IRS application process for recognition as a tax exempt organization. Many of these organizations rely instead, upon filing with the State of origin as a not-for-profit corporation or unincorporated association. In such cases, PGCF requires the potential grantee to partner with a IRS recognized 501 C 3 organization that is willing to act as a fiscal agent for the grantee applicant. If a grant is awarded to an organization under a fiscal agency arrangement, PGCF will require the fiscal agent to accept, on behalf of the ultimate grantee, the responsibilities associated with the grant award as defined in an appropriate grant agreement. The approach helps to insure greater accountability and oversight of limited charitable resources. 

Who will be making the decisions on the awardees?
The 22 members of The Prince George’s Community Foundation advisory board, which guides the Foundation’s work and represents the geographic, racial, ethnic, and income diversity within the County will make the decisions. Members of the PGCF board are knowledgeable of the county and demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the county’s well-being.

Will all of the grant money be disbursed each year?
Yes. The fund will make grants one-time-per year. Organizations interested in receiving funding will have equal opportunity to compete for the funds at the same time.

What, if any, are the reporting requirements?
In accordance with the formal agreement, PGCF will report quarterly to the Prince George’s County Executive, Prince George’s County Council and the Peterson Companies indicating the financial and distribution activity of the Fund. In addition, PGCF will provide an annual report highlighting the Fund’s activity, including grant awards. It is anticipated that grant awardees will also be required to submit annual report of activities supported by the Fund.