Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Arkansas Affiliate provide ongoing funding for its grantees?
No, all grantees must reapply for funding each year. Funding from the Arkansas Affiliate is never guaranteed and should not be expected by any previous or potential applicants. Although many of our grantees have received a grant award for more than one grant cycle, these organizations are never guaranteed continued funding. Continued funding of a proposal is based on the proposal’s merit and its ability to meet the current community needs.
My organization has put together a team for the Susan G. Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure©. Does this mean that our organization will be reviewed more favorably?
The Arkansas Affiliate could not achieve its mission of ending breast cancer forever without the broad support of the community. However, participating in the Race will not affect the funding decision for a grant proposal. All grant proposals are reviewed by an independent Grants Review Panel that will only take the proposal and the applicants grant history into consideration when making decisions.
What is a navigator?
In terms of breast health and breast cancer projects, a navigator is a person who helps a women through a specific process by providing information about and helping to access available resources, demystifying the process, facilitating communication between the patient and the care provider, and helping simplify the process for the women involved. Typically, a navigator project is focused on treatment and treatment support, but navigators can also be used in education and screening projects. Additionally, the navigator is typically a woman with an deep understanding of the population she is serving, and has a great deal of knowledge about the health care system and available community resources.
Is it true that the Arkansas Affiliate makes its funding decisions based on how well the Board members like an applicant?
No, the Arkansas Affiliate’s grant making process is independent, rigorous, and competitive. An independent Grants Review Panel evaluates all applicants, and grant awards are made in accordance with a pre-determined process that takes many factors into consideration. Board members only vote on grants as a slate, never individually. While Board members might have favorite grantees, our independent and rigorous grantmaking process removes these opinions from the Arkansas Affiliate’s funding decisions.
Are the Grants Review Panel’s comments on my application confidential?
After grants have been awarded, the Arkansas Affiliate can summarize the comments for an applicant. This information is meant to be helpful, both in terms of helping an organization understand how an external party reacts to the application, and to help an organization refine its project and application for the next grant cycle. While some organizations might disagree with the Review Panel’s comments, all grant decisions are final.
Can our organization appeal a grant decision?
No, all grantmaking decisions are final. After being denied, all applicant organizations are welcome to reapply for a grant during the follow year’s grantmaking cycle.
Our organization is paying a consultant $1,500 to write our grant application. Can this cost be included in our budget?
No, the Arkansas Affiliate will only consider costs related to the execution of a breast health and/or breast cancer project. The Arkansas Affiliate does allow organizations to request indirect costs as part of the grant application. Requesting indirect costs could help defray some of these costs should the application be funded.
From my experience as a service provider, there is a huge demand for the service that our organization provides. This service is not listed in the Arkansas Affiliate’s funding priorities. Can we still apply for a grant?
Yes, your organization can still apply for a grant as long as your organization can define and substantiate the need and develop a strong proposal. The Arkansas Affiliate is always interested in funding unique and innovative projects.
An unforeseen situation has developed. Can we change our project or our budget?
Yes, the Arkansas Affiliate understands that organizations sometimes need to change their projects. If an organization would like to request a change for the project, the organization must submit the appropriate forms in a timely manner. The Arkansas Affiliate requires that your organization receive approval for change request before the change is made. If your project encounters significant problems, please call the Arkansas Affiliate immediately to discuss possible solutions. Also, please note that we will not approve a budget change or extension after the project cycle has ended.
It is the end of the grant period and we have not spent all of our funding. Can we roll it over to the next year?
The Arkansas Affiliate’s mission of is very serious and urgent and there is a tremendous need for breast health and/or breast cancer services within our service area. Therefore, we strongly encourage organizations to spend their funding in accordance with the approved grant proposal within the grant period. If, however, an organization finds itself with remaining funds at the end of the grant period, an organization can do the following things:
- Request a no cost extension to extend the project by a reasonable amount of time in order to complete the project. Typically, requesting an extension longer than three months is inappropriate.
- An organization can return the funding to the Arkansas Affiliate, which will re-grant the funding to another organization.
Still need more information?
Contact Elizabeth Clark at Elizabeth.clark@baptist-health.org
or (501) 202-4399
