In the order listed below, please share with us some information about your organization and
the project(s) that you would like us to consider. Your response has no minimum or maximum
but we do ask that you think about each topic carefully and craft your responses in a clear and
concise manner. Please note that there are no "right" or "wrong" answers in your responses
... we are simply trying to gather as much information as possible in order for us to make the
best funding decisions we can.
A) Summary Please
write an executive summary, including total costs, for each of your proposed
projects (1 clear, concise and summarized page per project please),
make sure each project page is "tabbed" for easy access and identification
B) Vision Please describe the overall goal/purpose of your organization, what
communities do you serve, what is your vision for the organization's future
C) Background Please provide a brief history of your organization
and tell us about recently completed or in-progress projects and your current successes and challenges
D) Resources Please provide us with detail about your membership
base and your volunteer base ... what have your visitor numbers been over the last three years, have
you had any significant outside funding in the recent past ... talk about the organizations
that are associated with yours (organizations that you support or that support you)
E) Project Details Please describe each project you are applying
for
separately and in more detail: what would it accomplish, who would it affect, provide a more detailed
cost breakdown, will it be supported with funding from other foundations etc., will volunteers work on the project,
will there be a major outside contractor performing much of the work on the project, etc.
F) Timeframe - What is the timeframe for completion of the project
our fiscal year runs from October 1 through September 30 ... if your project would exceed the September
30th end date you may want to consider a multi-year request
G) Other Items - Are there pictures or other materials, letters of support
etc. related to the project that would help us better understand your organization and your request
Please attach your responses and the mandatory items noted above (in bold italics) to this application and submit the entire package
(unbound and without staples) before the deadline so that it will be deemed complete and ready for review.
One copy of your entire submission will be sufficient for our review.
We expect that all projects (which require an outside contractor or vendor) will be completed using Union Labor wherever possible.
We realize that not all work can be performed with Union Labor; in those rare cases, we will request that three (3) estimates be obtained
for that specific work to be performed and we (together) will select the appropriate contractor/vendor at that point. If the Applicant
Organization believes that using Union Labor will be too costly or that their work is not up to quality standards or if there are no companies
that utilize Union Labor, then the Applicant Organization's Agent should discuss this factor with NARF as soon as possible.
Project funding, if approved, is made with the understanding that NARF (Foundation) has no
obligation to provide other or additional support to the recipient organization. This funding shall
not give rise to an employer-employee relationship, joint venture, partnership or any similar
relationship between the recipient organization and the Foundation.
The recipient organization hereby agrees to maintain, in full force and effect, all required
governmental or professional licenses and credentials for itself, its facilities, and for its
employees and all other persons engaged in work in conjunction with this award.
If approved, the recipient organization shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold the Foundation,
its directors, officers, employees, agents, successors and assigns (collectively the "Indemnified
Parties") harmless from and against any and all damages, losses, costs, expenses, obligations,
claims, demands or liabilities, including costs of investigation, reasonable attorneys' fees and
court costs (collectively the "Damages") suffered or incurred by any of the Indemnified Parties
as a result of the work or activities performed by individuals within the recipient organization, or
for the work or activities performed by outside contractors, during the project and subsequent to
its completion, including, but not limited to, any claim for negligence, breach of contract or any
other act or claim arising out of or relating to this project funding.
By signing below, you attest that you have read and understand this entire application, the
information above is true and accurate and that you have provided, or will provide ... at our
request, all the necessary documentation to support this application.
Once completed, please submit your application to:
North American Railway Foundation
300 Sterling Parkway Ste 105
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
Attn: Mr. Philip J. Sullivan II, Executive Director