Read about the call for proposals for Big Blue Test grants.

1. What is the aim of the Big Blue Test grants?

The aim of the Big Blue Test grants is to help people with diabetes who are in need, especially those living in communities that are traditionally underserved and are at high risk for or have a high incidence of diabetes. These grants fund projects at US non-profit organizations that provide their diabetes patients with lifesaving supplies, medical tests, treatment, and patient education.

2. Who is eligible to apply for the Big Blue Test Grant?

Any organizations applying for a Big Blue Test grant must:

• Be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization, or a government agency or department that is tax exempt and will use any funding received for a public purpose
• Be based in and providing services in the United States
• Work with traditionally underserved populations
• Serve communities that are at high risk for and/or have a high incidence of diabetes
• Currently run at least one program aimed at people with diabetes
• Apply this funding (if awarded) to a diabetes program that currently has an annual budget of less than $100,000

Preference is given to grant applicants who:

• Will be able to reach the greatest number of patients with the grant
• Will use the money to increase the reach and/or depth of diabetes care in their communities, or to respond to the aftermath of a natural or manmade disaster in their communities

3. Who determines which organizations are funded and how?

Staff and board members of the Diabetes Hands Foundation review the applications against the criteria listed above and rank the proposals to identify their top five applicants. Then they come together to discuss and resolve any disparity in rankings.

Diabetes Hands Foundation remains the ultimate arbiter, in keeping with its responsibilities as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and reserves the right to ensure that all grantee proposals are aligned with the best interests, overall purpose, and goals of the Diabetes Hands Foundation in general, and of the Big Blue Test Grant program in particular.

4. How does my organization apply for a Big Blue Test grant?

Fill out the form online at www.BigBlueTest.org/2012-grant-application.

5. Is there any part of the application that we should pay particular attention to?

Yes. Pay particular attention to how you respond to the question “How would your organization use a $10,000 Big Blue Test Grant?” as you fill out the application form.

We are looking for proposals that will have a specific and measurable positive impact on people living with diabetes who are in need.

Begin your response by stating explicitly what your organization would do with the Big Blue Test grant money and what the impact/result of the funded project will be. Then tell us about your organization and the communities that it serves.

If you are a government agency or department be sure to include a statement that says you are a tax-exempt government agency or department and that you will use any funding received for a public purpose.

6. Are there any special grantee responsibilities for recipients of a Big Blue Test grant?

Yes. Grant recipients are required to promote participation in the Big Blue Test online. There are a number of ways to do this.

They include:

• Participating in the production of videos about the Big Blue Test (if asked)
• Hosting Big Blue Test event(s) in your community, including gathering blood sugar data before and after the event
• Writing about the Big Blue Test on your organization’s blog, website, and/or newsletter
• Promoting the Big Blue Test in social media

Grant recipients will choose how they will promote the Big Blue Test when they complete the grant agreement.

7. If my organization received a Big Blue Test grant in previous years, can we apply again in 2012?

Yes.

8. What is the schedule for this round of Big Blue Test Grant funding?

Here are the key dates for 2012:

• Monday, August 13^th – Begin accepting applications for Big Blue Test grants at www.BigBlueTest.org/2012-grant-application
• Friday, September 14^th at 5:00 pm PDT – DEADLINE for submitting applications for Big Blue Test grants
• Wednesday, September 19^th – Notify grant recipients and distribute grant agreements
• Friday, September 28^th at 5:00 pm PDT – DEADLINE for grant recipients to submit their signed grant agreement and a copy of their IRS determination letter to the Diabetes Hands Foundation
• Monday, October 15^th  – Begin collecting results of the Big Blue Test online at BigBlueTest.org
• Wednesday, November 14 at midnight PDT – Stop collecting results of the Big Blue Test online at BigBlueTest.org

9. How can I find out more about Big Blue Test grants?

For more information about the Big Blue Test grants contact Corinna Cornejo at corinna@diabeteshf.org.