FAQs – Seeds of Strength

Seeds of Strength Frequently Asked Questions

Membership

Who are the members of Seeds of Strength?

We welcome women of all ages and backgrounds who wish to participate in a dynamic charitable organization that seeks to enrich lives in our community through grants to nonprofit organizations serving the greater Georgetown area.

If I am interested, or have friends who are interested, how can we get information?

Please contact our Membership Committee at membership@seedsofstrength.org, or contact us at info@seedsofstrength.org. More information is available at our website seedsofstrength.org.

How is my contribution used?

100% of the $1,000 membership contribution — whether contributed by an individual or by a group of 2, 3 or 4 women — goes into the grant fund for the coming year. Funds received above the $1,000 membership contribution go into the operational budget to help cover expenses.

Is my contribution tax-deductible?

Seeds of Strength is a donor-designated fund of Chisholm Trail Communities Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization under the Internal Revenue Service Code. All contributions to CTCF are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. Please consult your legal or tax advisor regarding your ability to deduct your donation.

In addition, the CTCF/Seeds of Strength Fund qualifies for the direct charitable distribution from Individual Retirement Accounts; contact your tax advisor for details.

What is Individual Membership?

Members who make an annual contribution of $1,000 are eligible to vote their ballot for grantees at our annual event. Individual memberships can be paid in full or in installments.

What is Group Membership?

Up to four members may share the $1,000 annual contribution and be entitled to submit one (1) ballot for grantees as agreed upon by the group’s members. A limited number of group memberships are available each year based on the prior year’s membership.

When is my membership contribution due?

The annual $1,000 contribution for an individual or group membership is due by the last day in February in order to be eligible to vote for grant awards in the spring of that same year.

Where can I get a Membership Form? How do I make a contribution?

Membership forms and payment options are available on our website.

Membership Meetings

Do Seeds of Strength members meet as a group?

Seeds of Strength hosts five member events annually—in February – Wine/Women/Chocolate & Giving; in April or May – finalists presentations to membership, voting and grant awards ceremony; in September – an Annual Luncheon; in October – Lifelong Learning Event; in December – a Holiday Social.

May members bring guests to events?

Guests are welcome at almost all Seeds of Strength events, which will be shown in the event’s invitation sent to all members. However, the annual April/May meeting with finalists presentations to membership, membership voting and the announcement of grant awards is limited to Seeds of Strength members.

Committees

What are the committees?

Seeds of Strength has five standing committees: Membership, Grants, Compliance, Communication and Events. Committee descriptions can be found on the website in the ABOUT US pull-down menu.

How do I join a committee?

Please feel free to contact any committee chair directly, or if you do not have her contact information, contact info@seedsofstrength.org or membership@seedsofstrength.org and you will be put in touch with the appropriate committee chair. (Although we show committee chair names on our website, we do not publish personal email addresses on the website.)

Are members required to serve on a committee?

All members are invited to share their unique skills and talents within a committee, if they choose to do so. Members are under no obligation to join a committee.

Grants

What is the process for awarding grants?

Nonprofit organizations submit grant proposals to Seeds of Strength at the start of each new grant cycle. Members of the Grants Committee read and evaluate the proposals to determine the finalists. Information about the finalists is provided to the full membership for review prior to voting on grantees. In late April/early May, finalists make brief presentations to the membership, the members vote, the votes are tallied, and grant awards are announced. The number and dollar amount of the annual grants is determined each year by the number of Seeds of Strength members.

How can I participate in the grant-giving process and/or work with the grant recipients?

Sign up to serve on one of the committees related to grants. Prior to grants being awarded, the Grants Committee reviews grant proposals in order to determine the finalists. After grants have been awarded, the Compliance Committee works with the grant recipients, reviewing progress against the grant proposal.

What is the timeline for the grants process?

Key dates for the grant cycle are posted on the website in early November. Nonprofits may obtain application information and materials from the website at that time. Applications are due in January on the date and time specified on the website. The Grants Committee reviews proposals January through March. Finalists are announced to the membership at least 30 days before the annual meeting in April/May, where presentations are made, voting takes place, and grants are awarded.