Dogwood City Grotto
2022 Grant Request Guidelines

In October of each year, the Dogwood City Grotto hosts the legendary TAG Fall Cave-In.  When possible, the DCG awards a large portion of the net profit from each year's Cave-In to support appropriate cave-related activities by non-profit groups. In the past, these grants have funded everything from cave gating projects to archaeological and biological studies, as well as cave rescue seminars, conservancies, and expeditions as far away as China or as close as Pigeon Mountain. Since 1987, we have donated well over $150,000 to causes such as these. In 2019, the Dogwood City Grotto was able to give $8,000 in grants towards cave expeditions, cave acquisitions, cave education, and cave science.

Though the DCG cannot promise to fulfill all requests, we are soliciting grant proposals from any non-profit caving group, organization, or individual, all of which will be given careful consideration.

The deadline for submissions to be received in writing (digitally) for this year will be Tuesday, December 6th, 2022. The Grotto's Board of Directors will review all submissions shortly after that, and decisions will be shared in late December.  If at all possible, please send your request in electronic format (like a Microsoft Word document or PDF file), as that makes it much easier for us to distribute and work with.

All we ask in return is that each grant recipient give something back to the Dogwood City Grotto and the caving community. This would preferably be in the form of an article for our Georgia Underground publication, but could also be a slide show, demonstration, field trip, expedition report, or other means.

Send all electronic correspondence or attachments to:

ec@dogwoodcitygrotto.org

If you do not receive conformation that your request has been received within two business days, please call the caving hotline.

Criteria for DCG grants:

1. Priority will be given to proposals within the TAG caving area, though all submissions are welcome.
2. Funds must be used only for the requested purpose.
3. Funds must be used within 24 months of receipt, or else returned.
4. No portion of a grant may be used to reimburse a member of the receiving organization for personal services or travel.  Documented "out of pocket" expenses are allowable.

5. It is preferred that funds be given directly and not to intermediaries for further redistribution of funds.

Grant request contents:

Your proposal should include as much of the following as possible:

1. Cover letter including proposal summary and amount requested.

2. A one-to-three page narrative including:

A. Organization information, if applicable.

1. Brief summary of organization's history including mission, goals and objectives.

2. Descriptions of current programs, activities and accomplishments.

3. Organization's affiliation with other groups or public agencies.

B. Purpose of the Grant.

1. Statement of need or problem addressed by the grant.

2. Description of program goals and measurable objective.
3. Timetable for implementation.
4. Other organization's, if any, participation in the program.
5. List of names and qualifications of key people responsible for program implementation.
6. Projected program budget.

C. Evaluation

1. Expected results during the funding period.

2. How project success is defined and how it will be measured.

3. How project results will be used or disseminated.

That's it! If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us.

Don't delay, the deadline for proposals is Tuesday December 6th, 2022!