Cape and Islands License Plate Program
LARGE GRANT PROGRAM
APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Mission of the Cape Cod Economic Development Council
To improve the quality-of-life for all residents of Barnstable County by fostering public policies and financing, through grants, activities that lead to a healthy year-round economy compatible with the Cape's culture and environment.

Objective of the Large Grant Program
To support collaborative efforts that address large-scale regional problems and issues that inhibit long-term economic development.

Evaluation Criteria
The Cape Cod Economic Development Council is interested in supporting programs that:

• Address regional infrastructure issues
• Help the region’s workforce acquire new skills and increase incomes
• Stimulate the creation of career ladders
• Foster the growth of emerging industries such as (but not limited to) technology, environmental technology, marine science and technology, clean energy, and education
• Strengthen and maintain traditional industries such as (but not limited to) healthcare, hospitality, arts and culture, and small business
• Promote innovation and entrepreneurship

The Cape Cod Economic Development Council will give preference to projects that:

• Represent an innovative and appropriately scaled response to a clearly defined regional need
• Provide new information and knowledge that foster effective solutions for regional problems
• Stimulate the growth of a healthy and diverse economy with particular emphasis on knowledge-based businesses and workforce skills
• Benefit a significant number of people
• Create innovative and sustainable models that can be replicated throughout the region
• Establish enduring and meaningful partnerships that support long-term economic development
• Leverage multiple funding sources

Eligibility Requirements

1. Eligible applicants include non-profits, educational institutions, municipalities and agencies of Barnstable County.
2. Collaborating partners may include both for-profit and non-profit entities, educational institutions and government agencies.
3. Eligible projects must have multiple collaborating organizations in each partnership. Each organization is expected to make a meaningful contribution to the project.
4. Eligible projects must demonstrate that matching funds equal to at least 25% of the request for funds will be obtained prior to implementation. Both cash and in-kind support may be used towards the match. In-kind support, however, is limited to 20 percent of the match.

Availability of Funds and Award Amounts
On an annual basis, $300,000 is available to be awarded. The maximum award amount is $100,000 per project.

Application Process

Letter of Intent. Submit one original and two copies of a Letter of Intent containing a maximum narrative of two pages plus a separate page containing a preliminary project budget. A cover sheet containing a brief description of the project and contact information about the applicant should be attached to the front of the Letter of Intent.

1. The narrative should include:

   • The goals and purpose of the proposed project
   • The role and qualifications of the applicant and collaborating partners
   • The amount of funding requested
   • An implementation timeline
   • The budget should reflect how the funds will be used and the matching requirement met
     
     
2. Review of Letter of Intent. A committee of the EDC will review letters of intent to determine which proposed projects will receive further consideration.
   
   
3. Full Proposals. Applicants selected for further consideration will be asked to submit full proposals within a specified period of time. A complete application packet must be received by the stated deadline. Packets received after that time will not be accepted. Application materials for this phase of review will be mailed to the selected applicants.
   
   
4. Review of Proposals. A committee of the EDC will review proposals. Recommendations of the committee will be voted upon by the EDC and forwarded to the County Commissioners who have final authority over all grant decisions.
   

Deadlines
Letters of Intent may be submitted at any time. The review committee will meet on an as-needed basis to review recently submitted letters of intent. Full proposals should be submitted based on request only.

Submission
Letters of Intent, Cover Sheet, and invited proposals should be submitted to: