Photo courtesy of the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Perry, IA

A local church in the City of Perry is offering assistance to residents with charitable donations.

The St. Martin’s Episcopal Church will be awarding Human Needs Grants in the month of December. Organizer Kathy Powell tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the grants are providing basic human essentials in the Perry community. 

“Just looking at how they can best meet the needs of the people in the community to improve self-reliance and independence.”

Powell explains that grants in the past have been given to Perry’s Academic, Cultural, Enrichment Services (P.A.C.E.S.) Before and After School Program, Perry’s Ministerial Association, and the Perry Food Pantry. She outlines that applications for grants must include a brief description of the proposal, the objectives, target population, an underlying problem to be solved by the project, information about how the project will be evaluated, and evidence of the entities’ 501(c3) status. 

Powell pinpoints that grant requests need to be turned into the St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 621 10th Street, in Perry through December 6th. The guidelines for the grant proposals can be found below.

Grants are made only to non-profit religious, charitable, scientific or educational organizations
(as determined by IRS), or to public agencies or organizations. Voluntary associations which are
not incorporated are eligible if they meet the criteria of IRS for non-profit status. This
requirement may be waived by St. Martin’s Vestry (the parish governing body) on a case-by-
case basis for worthy projects.

1. Grants are primarily to serve basic human needs in the Perry area, which:

a. will promote independence and self-reliance,

b. aid in the over-all development of the community and,

c. address significantly the causes of those needs.

2. The following proposals are not eligible.

a. Proposals submitted by individuals for their own benefit.

b. Scholarship proposals for higher education unless they are part of a training grant proposal
from a non-profit organization of public agency.

c. Proposals to fund fine arts programs.

d. Proposals for capital improvements in buildings.

e. Proposals from other beneficiaries of the Wiese Foundation.

f. Proposals which are not submitted in time.

Proposals must be submitted on the letterhead of the preparer and must include the following.

1. A brief description of the proposal.

2. The purpose, goals, and objectives of the project.

3. Targeted populations to be served.

4. Underlying problem which will be solved or helped by project.

5. The specific sum requested; a budget showing how it will be used and information about
other funding sources.

6. Information about how the project will be evaluated.

7. Those making proposals must agree to provide a report which will provide documentation
showing that the grant was used for the purposes for which it was sought.

8. Evidence of the entities’ 501(C3) status.