Goals and Objectives of the Trust
The Curtis Trust was established by the Will of George E. Curtis, which was allowed by the Plymouth County Probate Court in 1931. The Curtis Trust’s mission is to assist low income elder and disabled persons in Plymouth County, Massachusetts and the contiguous towns to remain in their homes and experience an improved quality of life. Curtis Trust support for low income elders and disabled persons in the target area has primarily been in the form of assistance to Visiting Nurses Associations (“VNA”) and like groups that make skilled and unskilled nursing visits to homes. In recent years, however, the Trust has broadened its scope of support with assistance to the visually impaired, emergency fuel assistance and palliative care to those dying at home. The trust has also funded telemonitors through VNAs that allow individuals with complex medical problems to remain at home while being monitored at their local VNA by trained medical personnel.
Scope of the Grant Program
Grants are awarded in a lump sum to be used over a one year period beginning in September 2024 and ending August 2025.
Eligibility
Grants are limited to US organizations which are tax exempt under section 501 ( c ) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Grants from the Curtis Trust are not made to individuals.
Grantee Criteria / Preference:
Preference is given to those organizations that offer direct service to elderly and disabled individuals to assist them in remaining in their homes despite economic, physical or other hardships. In addition to helping various VNAs in the area, the Curtis Trust also supports organizations that subsidize the cost of fuel, electricity, and other expenses that face low income elder or disabled individuals who live in their homes.
The Trustees look favorably upon applicant organizations governed by a Board of Directors which demonstrate a positive history of accomplishment, stability and low employee turnover. The Curtis Trust expects applicant organizations to demonstrate a commitment to sound management of trust funds and to complete timely and well documented quarterly reports which record the use of the funds.
The Trustees look favorably upon applicant organizations governed by a Board of Directors which demonstrate a positive history of accomplishment, stability and low employee turnover. The Curtis Trust expects applicant organizations to demonstrate a commitment to sound management of trust funds and to complete timely and well documented quarterly reports which record the use of the funds.
The Curtis Trust does not ordinarily provide financial support for:
Grants to Individuals
Renovations to existing facilities frequented by elderly or handicapped persons.
Renovations to existing facilities frequented by elderly or handicapped persons.
The Application Process:
An eligible organization may print a copy of the application from the Curtis Trust Website or may contact the Trust Administrator, Richard J. Lawton, for a copy by mail. Applications for 2024/2025 may be requested by mail on or after May 20, 2024.
1.
Submission Requirements:
All grant applications are due no later than 5:00 p. m. on July 30, 2024. Grant award notification will take place in September 2024 and fund distribution will occur prior to the end of September.
Please mail or deliver all applications to the Co-Trustees, James G. DeGiacomo and Richard J. Lawton, care of:
Richard J . Lawton, Esq., Co-Trustee
The George Curtis Charitable Trust
Lawyers Building
157 Belmont Street
Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
Please provide (2) copies of your application. Each application should include a one page cover sheet, one page summary sheet, (2) copies of a budget sheet and any additional information which the applicant believes would be helpful to the Trustees in evaluating the application. Copies should be stapled. Please use one side of paper only.
Please mail or deliver all applications to the Co-Trustees, James G. DeGiacomo and Richard J. Lawton, care of:
Richard J . Lawton, Esq., Co-Trustee
The George Curtis Charitable Trust
Lawyers Building
157 Belmont Street
Brockton, Massachusetts 02301
Please provide (2) copies of your application. Each application should include a one page cover sheet, one page summary sheet, (2) copies of a budget sheet and any additional information which the applicant believes would be helpful to the Trustees in evaluating the application. Copies should be stapled. Please use one side of paper only.
2. Proposal Guidelines:
This section discusses the format to follow when writing a proposal for a grant from the Curtis Trust:
a. Description of the organization:
The description of the organization should include the background and mission of the organization seeking support. Helpful information includes, but is not limited to, the future objectives of the applicant organization, the target population(s), the type (s) of programs currently offered, the number of staff involved and a list of the members of the Board of Directors or other governing body.
b. Description of Program:
This section should include a description of the program for which assistance is sought. Information in this section includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the necessity of the program, how need for Curtis Trust support is determined, the expected outcome of the program, plans and timetables for implementation, staffing requirements as they relate to implementation of the program, and means by which an applicant organization will evaluate successful results for the project.
c. Financial Information /Budget:
The financial information supplied by the organization must show the actual or projected expenditures and revenues in detail for current and upcoming fiscal years. It is necessary to include a complete copy of the most recent budget and, if available, a copy of the report or opinion letter submitted by an independent auditor.
In the financial information section of the application, the Trustees of the Curtis Charitable Trust expect an evaluation of the impact that a grant from the Curtis Trust would have in accomplishing program goals and the plan for sustaining funding upon the expiration of the grant. Finally, applicants must include a listing of other funding sources they have applied to or grants which they have received as well as an assessment of any projects undertaken by other local entities responding to the same need.
The description of the organization should include the background and mission of the organization seeking support. Helpful information includes, but is not limited to, the future objectives of the applicant organization, the target population(s), the type (s) of programs currently offered, the number of staff involved and a list of the members of the Board of Directors or other governing body.
b. Description of Program:
This section should include a description of the program for which assistance is sought. Information in this section includes, but is not limited to, an assessment of the necessity of the program, how need for Curtis Trust support is determined, the expected outcome of the program, plans and timetables for implementation, staffing requirements as they relate to implementation of the program, and means by which an applicant organization will evaluate successful results for the project.
c. Financial Information /Budget:
The financial information supplied by the organization must show the actual or projected expenditures and revenues in detail for current and upcoming fiscal years. It is necessary to include a complete copy of the most recent budget and, if available, a copy of the report or opinion letter submitted by an independent auditor.
In the financial information section of the application, the Trustees of the Curtis Charitable Trust expect an evaluation of the impact that a grant from the Curtis Trust would have in accomplishing program goals and the plan for sustaining funding upon the expiration of the grant. Finally, applicants must include a listing of other funding sources they have applied to or grants which they have received as well as an assessment of any projects undertaken by other local entities responding to the same need.
3. Requirements for acceptance of funds:
A George Curtis Charitable Trust recipient must agree to the following:
1. To enter a contractual agreement with the Trustees to carry out the proposed program for which the funds had been requested.
2. To deliver services to Individuals in a non- discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, or national origin.
3. To notify the Trustees in writing of any changes or unexpected developments that occur which will affect the feasibility of the project.
4. There is now the need for only two (2) reports.
The first is due on by February 28, 2024.
The final report is to be filed no later than July 29th, 2024 and shall be filed with next year's application.
The final report shall be accompanied by a Year End Summary addressing the following questions:
.. How many individuals did your organization serve during the past eleven months with the grant?
.. Of those served, please provide a breakdown of the ages of the individuals, along with a breakdown of the cities and towns that those individuals resided in.
..Please describe the specific service that your organization provided.
..Please state in as much detail as possible, the types of assistance that your charitable organization provides to those in need.
5. To submit a final report on 8/1/24 summarizing how funds have been spent, activities undertaken and results obtained.
1. To enter a contractual agreement with the Trustees to carry out the proposed program for which the funds had been requested.
2. To deliver services to Individuals in a non- discriminatory manner, without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, or national origin.
3. To notify the Trustees in writing of any changes or unexpected developments that occur which will affect the feasibility of the project.
4. There is now the need for only two (2) reports.
The first is due on by February 28, 2024.
The final report is to be filed no later than July 29th, 2024 and shall be filed with next year's application.
The final report shall be accompanied by a Year End Summary addressing the following questions:
.. How many individuals did your organization serve during the past eleven months with the grant?
.. Of those served, please provide a breakdown of the ages of the individuals, along with a breakdown of the cities and towns that those individuals resided in.
..Please describe the specific service that your organization provided.
..Please state in as much detail as possible, the types of assistance that your charitable organization provides to those in need.
5. To submit a final report on 8/1/24 summarizing how funds have been spent, activities undertaken and results obtained.
Appendices
The following appendices should be attached to the proposal:
The following appendices should be attached to the proposal:
- Evidence of 501 ( c ) (3) tax exempt status (IRS determination letter, if available);
- Audited Financial Statements for the 2023 year;
- Detailed List of Board Members if Board of Directors;
- Most recent annual report as filed with the Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and
- References, names, titles and phone numbers of two or more individuals who are familiar with the organization’s past program accomplishments. Please indicate the relationship between these individuals and the program for which grant funds are sought. In addition, please indicate how long these individuals have been affiliated with the organization.