We are now accepting proposals for the 2012 Excellence in Civic Leadership Initiative
About the Excellence in Civic Leadership Initiative
We aim to have a meaningful impact on the community through the promotion of responsible leadership, including the development of youth leaders.
In doing so, we support programs that effectively capture the essence of developing strong youth leaders, primarily from underserved and diverse communities, while engaging the minds and consciences of those who are future the decision makers of tomorrow.
How to Apply
Proposals for the Excellence in Civic Leadership Initiative are accepted in the Spring of each year.
Apply for an off-cycle grant
GENERAL INFORMATION San Diego Gas & Electric® (SDG&E®) is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million customers throughout San Diego and southern Orange counties. SDG&E is part of the Sempra Energy® family of companies, a Fortune 500 company committed to the wellbeing of the communities where its businesses operate.
As part of SDG&E’s commitment to the community, SDG&E contributes to the many diverse communities of its service territory in an effort to improve the quality-of-life of its customers. SDG&E is committed to supporting the development of the next generation of well-prepared diverse leaders that SDG&E and other regional companies, non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, and local governments will rely on to lead our communities into the future.
On February 7, 2012, SDG&E launched the 2012 SDG&E Excellence in Civic Leadership Initiative (ECL), making grants available to non-profit organizations in the SDG&E service territory that create meaningful positive impacts in San Diego County and southern Orange County communities through the promotion of ethical and responsible leadership, character development, mentoring, college guidance and preparation, workforce development, financial literacy, and science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning among the K-12 population.
Through the 2012 SDG&E Excellence in Civic Leadership Request for Proposals (RFP), SDG&E will award grants to support non-profit programs in the following areas:
Leadership development, character development, and mentoring programs for K-12 youth
College preparatory programs and workforce development efforts for underserved K-12 youth
Financial literacy programs for underserved K-12 youth and their families
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs for K-12 youth.
Please note that SDG&E will give preference to programs in the above mentioned areas that serve underserved communities. SDG&E will further give preference to supporting programs rather than events.
ELIGIBILITY Organizations that meet all the following criteria are eligible to apply:
Grant applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations with active non-profit tax status, as defined and determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
Grant applicants must be organizations whose primary mission is focused on K-12 youth development or leadership, or who have substantial prior experience in delivering leadership, mentorship or educational programs.
Grant applicants must administer and provide services in the SDG&E service territory.
Grant applicants must have an ability to demonstrate and report on the impact of their programs in their respective community or communities.
EVALUATION/SELECTION PROCESS All grant applications submitted between the February 7, 2012, RFP opening date and the March 5, 2012 deadline will be evaluated by an internal review and selection committee. Grant recipients will be notified of awards in early April, after which SDG&E and ECL grant recipients will review and finalize details of awarded grants.
EXCLUSIONS AND RESTRICTIONS The following types of programs and organizations are ineligible for ECL funding:
Programs benefiting an individual or a limited group of individuals
Organizations that practice discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry
Sectarian or denominational religious organizations, except for religious organizations whose programs are broadly promoted, available to anyone, and are free from religious orientation
Organizations whose primary mission is not youth development or leadership, or that have no substantial prior experience in delivering leadership, mentorship, or educational programs.
Organizations whose primary mission is in:
These organizations may however, participate in this initiative as part of a collaborative with an eligible leadership development organization serving as the lead applicant.
Awarded ECL funds cannot be used for:
General operating expenses that are unrelated to the execution of the proposed program or project
Equipment purchases not primarily related to the intended purpose of the award
Advocacy initiatives/programs that are political in nature
Land acquisitions
Research related projects
Capital campaigns
Travel expenses
Loans or loan guarantees
Debt reduction or past operating deficits
Liquidation of an organization.
