Weekly Funding Opportunity: Cracker Barrel Foundation

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Each week, Neighborhood Networks provides potential funding sources to help centers develop and improve programs and services. Featured this week is the Cracker Barrel Foundation.

Headquartered in Lebanon, Tennessee, the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store restaurants and gift shops opened in 1969. Today, there are 570 full-service "country store" restaurants and gift shops located in 41 states.

Program Areas: The Cracker Barrel Foundation seeks to strengthen and preserve communities by supporting programs in the areas of:

	Education. The foundation's funding focuses on programs that:   Strengthen higher education and increase its availability.   Increase adult literacy.   Improve the quality of education.
	Human Services. The foundation believes that there are basic human needs that must be met to develop responsible, self-reliant citizens. The foundation's funding focuses on programs that:   Enable individuals to become self-sufficient.   Address child and family issues.
	Cultural and Environmental Issues. The foundation's funding focuses on programs that:   Encourage environmental education.   Preserve and establish historic monuments, natural sites, and parks.   Provide arts education.

Special consideration is given to programs that address children, youth, and family issues, and emphasize traditional values such as hard work, education, and self-reliance.

Targeted Area: Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West.

Eligibility: The Cracker Barrel Foundation does not consider grants for:

	Organizations that are not public charitable organizations qualifying under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.
	Individuals or their projects.
	Fundraising activities, such as: benefits, charitable dinners, or sporting events.
	Religious, political, fraternal, athletic, or veterans' organizations.
	Organizations with principal impact outside the United States.

Award Amount: Award amounts vary.

Application Process: The Cracker Barrel Foundation uses no standard application form. It is requested that proposals be concise and include:

	Name, address, and description of the organization.
	Past accomplishments of the organization.
	Objectives of the organization and the specific project for which funding is requested, if applicable.
	Geographic area served by the organization.
	History of previous support from the Cracker Barrel Foundation.
	Exact dollar amount of the request.
	Plan for evaluating results of the project.
	Percentage of total budget the request is for.

Attachments should include:

	IRS letter of determination of section 501(c)(3) tax-exemption status.
	Latest income and expense statement.
	Names and affiliations of those serving on the board of directors.
	Names and qualifications of employees, as well as numbers of volunteers.
	List of other sources of income and amount contributed by each.
	List of other organizations approached for funding.
	A few current relevant articles or reviews about the organization, if available.

Deadlines: Ongoing.

Contact: For more information about the Cracker Barrel Foundation, contact:

Cracker Barrel Foundation
Penny Carroll, Director
P.O. Box 787
Lebanon, TN 37088-0787
(615) 444-5533