Cy Pres Funds
BFDL Cy Pres Phase I Grants Request for Proposals has Closed
UPDATE: The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Cy Pres Phase I Grants closed on September 29, 2017. Unfortunately, no extensions can be granted and further proposals will not be considered at this time.
BACKGROUND: It is expected that BFDL Cy Pres Funds will be distributed in two distinct phases: Cy Pres Phase I Grants and Cy Pres Phase II Grants. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for Cy Pres Phase I Grants opened Monday, July 31, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time and closed on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Lead Class Counsel expect to recommend that up to one-third (approximately $4 million) of the total BFDL Cy Pres Funds be eligible for disbursement through the Cy Pres Phase I Grants process. The purpose of Cy Pres Phase I Grants is to stabilize and/or grow the capacity of nonprofit organizations with both a historic (prior to December 31, 2012) and a current record of providing meaningful agricultural, business assistance, and/or advocacy services to African-American farmers and/or ranchers operating in rural/non-urban areas of the United States. Law firms, legal service entities, and educational institutions are not eligible per the Consolidated Case Settlement Agreement.
Lead Class Counsel hosted a conference call on Thursday, August 3, 2017, to address questions about the overall intent of the BFDL Cy Pres Funds and the Cy Pres Phase I Grant opportunity.
Additionally, a technical assistance webinar was hosted by the Cy Pres Grants Team on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 to provide an overview of the Cy Pres Phase I Grants proposal process, and to address logistical and technical questions applicants might have about completing their proposal. The webinar was recorded and can be found here:
BFDL Cy Pres Phase II Grants Visioning
UPDATE: Although the RFP for Cy Pres Phase I Grants has officially closed, anyone wishing to complete the Visioning Document to inform Cy Pres Phase II Grants is still invited to do so via Submissions@blackfarmercypres.com.
BACKGROUND: Following the Court’s final decision on distribution of Cy Pres Phase I Grants, Lead Class Counsel expect to recommend that the remaining approximately $8 million of the BFDL Cy Pres Funds be disbursed through Cy Pres Phase II Grants. In preparation for Cy Pres Phase II Grants, Lead Class Counsel seeks to engage African-American farmers and ranchers, advocates, and allies to identify strategic funding priorities for the Cy Pres Phase II Grant recommendation process, likely beginning with a convening of leaders in early 2018 in the South.
Eligibility requirements for Cy Pres Phase II Grants may differ from Cy Pres Phase I Grants, but must comply with the terms of the Consolidated Case Settlement Agreement (as amended).
All organizations that currently provide agricultural, business assistance, and/or advocacy services for African-American farmers and ranchers, even if they do not qualify for Cy Pres Phase I Grants, may contribute to the development of funding priorities for Cy Pres Phase II Grants by completing and submitting the document titled “Cy Pres Phase II Visioning Document” below. On the same form, organizations may nominate one representative from their organization to attend the convening in 2018.
BFDL Cy Pres Phase I Grants Request for Proposals (RFP) Information