Purpose
In response to the nation's economic challenges, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting ("CPB") is providing funding to St. Louis Regional Educational and Public Television Commission ("KETC"), which shall provide funding to public television and radio stations ("Station(s))" to help them respond specifically to their communities' needs in the wake of the mortgage crisis ("Initiative"). This work was pioneered by KETC in St. Louis, which engaged a network of community partners to connect citizens with available resources to help them keep their homes and learn more about financial strategies that will enable them to survive a difficult economy.
The U.S. Treasury Department has identified cities and states where the mortgage crisis is most severe. CPB will be awarding grants to public television and radio stations in those markets to use the KETC model to create similar Facing the Mortgage Crisis projects in their own communities. KETC will serve as manager of the Initiative in general, with KNPR coordinating with KETC specifically with respect to radio station efforts. The National Center for Media Engagement ("NCME" (formerly NCO)) will provide advice and act as grants administrator.
Collaboration with other public media within each market is encouraged. This Initiative's primary goal is to use the full capabilities of public media (on-air, online and in the community) to create a station-wide initiative to help the American people in this time of financial crisis.
Goals
This Initiative is all about helping communities in need and demonstrating the relevance of public media. Specifically, the goals of the Initiative are:
- To connect residents to foreclosure prevention and financial resources through a network of trusted community partners mobilized through public media;
- To raise awareness of the impact of the mortgage crisis on the entire region the Station serves;
- To leverage this model of community engagement and mobilization for community impact and use CPB's Public Awareness Initiative/My Source tools and resources to frame the story of that impact; and
- Through this work, to make the case for the relevance and impact of public media locally and nationally.
Approach to the Work
Facing the Mortgage Crisis is a community engagement initiative that leverages Stations' assets on-air, online and in the community.
Important Considerations:
- Community partnerships are critical to this initiative and will help Stations maximize impact in the community. Partners/advisors help guide the work on-air, online, and in the community.
- Facing the Mortgage Crisis will require participants to leverage resources and assets strategically.
- This work has overarching goals that are outcome-oriented and focused on solving a community problem.
- Buy-in and support from senior management in the station is essential. Only with the commitment from the highest level of leadership can this effort be cohesive and comprehensive enough to make an impact in the community.
- This work should involve all the main departments within a Station and requires a high level of inter-departmental collaboration
Eligibility
Only those Stations (including joint licensees) which are in designated market areas encompassing cities which are most impacted by the mortgage crisis according to the U.S. Department of the Treasury may apply. Individual stations may apply; however, CPB strongly encourages stations to submit a joint application for a grant to collaborate with other public media within the same market.
Project Requirements
All grantees are expected to review and use the Road Map to Engagement created by KETC. This Road Map will help stations applying for this initiative to better understand the concept of the work and what will be required to be successful.
IMPORTANT: IF A GRANT IS MADE TO YOUR STATION, THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS APPLICATION WILL BECOME A PART OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT AS A WORKSCOPE OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE STATION.
Review Process
Applications will be reviewed by CPB, with input from KETC, KNPR and NCME (formerly NCO), with CPB making the final decision. Collaboration with other public media and the willingness to participate in activities beyond those required (as specified in the Application) are encouraged.
CPB anticipates making at least 25 grants. Grant amounts will be determined based on the severity of the mortgage crisis in the market and the proposed activities in response to the crisis. It is anticipated that grants will range from $40,000 to $80,000 per market.
Submission Instructions and Deadlines
APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED USING THE ONLINE FORM. Please review Terms and Conditions before applying. We anticipate a rapid contracting process.
Stations that wish to collaborate should designate a lead Station to: (i) act as fiscal agent for the collaborative to receive and distribute funds, (ii) collect information from collaborating Stations and provide reports and deliverables as required under the Station Grant Agreement, and (iii) be the signatory on behalf of the collaborative on the Station Grant Agreement. Collaborating Stations will be asked to accept and approve the agreement via e-mail. Lead Stations will be paid an additional stipend as part of the Station grant.
PLEASE SUBMIT ONLY THE APPLICATION. DO NOT SUBMIT MATERIALS OF ANY KIND except as specifically required in the Application.
- The application deadline is March 27, 2009.
- After completion, please be sure to save a copy of the application. [This action will be automated by NCME.]
- Questions regarding the Initiative itself may be directed to Amy Shaw (ashaw@ketc.org) or 314-512-9041; Technical questions about the application should be directed to Cristina Hanson (cristina.hanson@mediaengage.org).
- The grant term will be April 13, 2009 through August 31, 2009 (the "Term").
- Grantee Stations will be required to provide contact information for some number of members and/or viewers/listeners to a third-party evaluator for the purpose of project evaluation.
- Grantees will be expected to electronically submit interim and final report surveys detailing their efforts in connection with the Initiative, as well as financial reports of actual costs compared to the budget. A form for the survey will be provided. Other deliverables will be submitted by Grantees in accordance with the terms of the Station grant agreement.
Award Notifications
Grant notifications will be made by April 6, 2009.
Grant Administration
The Station Grant Agreements will be made between Stations and KETC, with the grant program being administered by NCME. Initially deliverables will be reviewed by NCME to confirm receipt, then by KETC as to content and compliance with contractual requirements, with assistance from KNPR for radio issues.
Notwithstanding CPB's funding of the activities of this Initiative, CPB shall have no obligations to any Station applying for or receiving a grant under this Initiative. CPB will, however, be a third-party beneficiary with regard to materials created pursuant to this Initiative and unspent or improperly used grant funds.
