Polish Chair Funding Guidelines And Procedures

Funding Guidelines

Requests for funding must demonstrate an alignment with the mission of the Chair: 
To preserve and further Polish culture and heritage in Western New York

The funds of the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture at Canisius University are limited, and are dispersed according to the overall impact of a project, and particularly how many people it will reach.  We encourage projects that will demonstrate:  (1) outreach to new audiences, especially young people, disconnected members of Polonia, members of the Canisius University community and other academic institutions, and (2) a plan for effective marketing to the Western New York (WNY) community.

Submission Deadlines

The Board of Directors of the Chair will generally review funding applications twice a year; applications are due November 30 and May 31 (for this year, any time before September 1) and should be submitted electronically to:  (@email)

What We Will Fund

  • Educational programs in Polish and Polish-American history, language, culture, and arts 
  • Projects directed at raising awareness and pride of Polish and Polish-American heritage among Western New Yorkers
  • Projects designed to preserve and protect Polish and Polish-American history, language, culture and arts (e.g. archival projects)
  • Projects that combat prejudice against those of Polish descent
  • Religious or church programs that reflect the history/culture of Poles and/or Polish-Americans 
  • Projects that involve travel expenses, provided that the application relates to the mission of the Chair and clearly describes the purpose of such travel.  Also required of requests for travel expenses:
    • An itemized list of how funds will be spent (e.g., airfare, lodging, etc.
    • An explanation of how that travel will contribute to research or education concerning Poland or the Polish-American experience 
    • A description of how the applicant will share his/her travel experience with the Polish Chair, and with the WNY community (including a public presentation concerning the applicant's travel and how s/he learned from it). Follow-up reports MUST be provided in all of the following forms:
      • Detailed written report to the Chair on her/his study or research experience
      • If the award is to a student, then a formal presentation to other students under the guidance of her/his professor
      • Public exhibit or lecture presentation

NOTE:  Students who are awarded funding from the Chair must become involved with the Chair as a student liaison. Student liaisons are expected to attend Chair programs and to provide assistance as requested, including assistance in promoting broad student participation in Chair activities.

What We Generally Will Not Fund

  • Scholarships and fellowships  
  • Exchange programs

What We Will Not Fund 

  • Routine operating expenses
  • Capital improvements
  • Tax-supported institutions or their support foundations
  • Debt repayment, or funding for programs that have already taken place
  • Foreign organizations or expenditures
  • Endowment funds or other purely revenue-generating funds

Funding Request Procedures

Funding requests should be submitted in writing; in-person requests will not be accepted.  An application, not to exceed two pages (plus a one-page budget), must address each of the following:
 

  1. Name, address, contact person, email address and phone number of the organization or individual that will be the recipient of the funding, along with the organization’s or individual’s qualifications for the submitted project/program. 
     
  2. Relationship of the individual signing the funding request to the applicant organization (or individual).  If an organization is submitting the request, provide evidence that the funding request has been authorized by the organization’s governing board.
     
  3. The amount requested and a complete statement of why the funding is needed and what will be done with the money. NOTE: A one-page budget must be included.  
     
  4. Whether aid for your project/program is being sought from other sources, and if so, name them.  If not, explain why not.
     
  5. Statement of the problem or opportunity that your project/program will address, what you hope to accomplish, what the projected impact on the community will be (especially, outline the educational benefits); who will benefit; how your project/program relates to the Chair’s mission and priorities; and how you will measure your project/program for effectiveness. 
     
  6. Is this a new project/program or a continuation of an existing one?  
     
  7. If this is a continuing project/program, how will it be financed after funds from the Chair are expended?  (If your project/program is a one-time event, you do not need to answer this question.)
     
  8. Has your organization (or has this individual) ever been funded by the Chair?  If so, when, and for what purpose?
     
  9. What is the time line for your project/program?

Stewardship

After the project/program has been completed, a report (not to exceed one page) must be submitted to the Board of Directors of the Permanent Chair of Polish Culture that assesses the effectiveness of the funded project/program.  Organizations that do not submit a report will not be considered for future funding.