The City of Savannah is accepting Social Services Grant Program applications for fiscal year 2016. Contributions approved by the Mayor and Aldermen will vary in amount and will be made in the form of a grant to non-profit agencies for the purchase of services that will be provided to residents in the Savannah community. The services provided must link to at least one of the strategic priorities that have been approved by the Mayor and Council. The priorities include:
--Public Safety--Neighborhood Vitality
--Culture & Recreation--Poverty Reduction
--Economic Growth--Health & Environment
--High Performing Government--Ambassadorship

For the 2016 Budget Process, the SSPG committee will review requests. The intended outcomes and results of the review process are to objectively identify qualified Social Service Agencies which meet the established criteria. This criterion includes efficient utilization of resources, evidence of high quality services, established sustainability plans, and the existence of strong and effective partnerships in the community.

The primary factors that contribute to selection of social service agencies for funding by the City of Savannah are:
1. Total Number of Participants/Clients2. Cost per Participant/Client
3. Diverse funding sources4. Documented collaborations/partnerships
5. Improved quality of life for participants/clients6. Sustainability plan for program
7. Acceptable ratio of overhead to budget8. Community Needs as determined by the Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition

The application and budget worksheets will be available on the City’s website www.savannahga.gov/budget as of June 1, 2015.

Agencies submitting an application for 2016 must be in good standing with the City of Savannah if they are currently receiving funding. In order to be considered in “good standing”, the agency must be in compliance with all terms of their existing agreement. New agencies applying for funding must provide a cover letter and copy of their most recent financial audit in addition to their application and budget. All applications and budget worksheets must be completed and submitted by 4:00 p.m. on June 30, 2015.

Please submit all application materials to:
City of Savannah SSGPAttn: Research and Budget
6 E Bay Street, Lower Factors WalkP.O. Box 1027
Savannah, GA 31402ORasimpson@savannahga.gov

While agencies can apply for funding through the City of Savannah’s General Fund, Community Development Block Grant, and Cultural Contributions processes, funding will only be recommended to support program service delivery needs from one funding source to eliminate duplication.Agencies may receive funding for multiple programs from multiple funding sources.

Please contact the Research and Budget Department at (912) 651-6490 for additional information.