Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation Accepting Online Grant Applications

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Foundation has announced the all-new "green" 2011 online application process for its annual grant program. Paper applications will no longer be used, saving trees as well as hassle for applicants.

Foundation Board President, Wellington Chen, says the new online process will make the application experience easier for applicants and board members, while also promoting the green initiative.

"The new process is the way to go to continue to be able to apply technology for where we are today and to do our share to save the earth," Chen said.

"Everything is there online for an easier application process." Chen said. "It's now a very simple step-by-step process and it's done and they don't have to spend extra time making sure the application is complete."

The new process also helps board members track applications. He said with the past forms, each member would sometimes have to carry over two boxes of paper applications, which "was a lot of paper" and harder to organize.

"Now it's streamlined and more efficient," said Chen.

The foundation, a nonprofit public benefit corporation established in 1983, makes annual grants to organizations in San Gabriel Valley communities.

To be considered for the grant, the organization must apply under one of the three groupings: sports and recreation, visual and performing arts, or volunteer motivation and leadership development. Such wide-ranging classifications permit the foundation to contribute to the civic, cultural and educational progression of Pasadena area communities.

As of Wednesday, the foundation is accepting applications from nonprofit agencies/organizations based in as well as serving one or more of the following communities: Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, La Cañada, Monrovia, Pasadena, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre and South Pasadena. To be classified as a nonprofit 501(c)(3), the organization must be coordinated for exempt purposes and not be operated for the benefit of private interests or individuals, according to the Internal Revenue Code. The organization's operating budget must be less than $2 million.

To submit an application, visit the Foundation's "Online Data Manager" at: www.ctkodm.com/ptrf/. Enter "apply" for both the "Username" and "Password." You will then be directed to a welcome page with instructions for applying.

Application submissions must be by 5 p.m. on Jan. 27, 2011.

Finalists will be notified the week of Feb. 28, 2011. At that time, the finalist agencies will have two weeks to provide all additional, required documentation.

In 2010, grant awards totaled $100,375, ranging from $1,957 to $8,400 per organization, according to foundation officials. Overall, awards averaged $5,018 per organization.

Chen has been a member since 2004 and has enjoyed working with the foundation, finding it very rewarding to himself and the community.

"I am pleased to be a part of the [foundation]. It is one of the finest organizations to be involved in. It's a very unique situation." Chen said. Working for East West Bank, headquartered in Pasadena, also makes the organization hit close to home for him.

"It's rewarding getting to know local institutions and organizations and to see the job they are doing for kids in sports, music, education and so forth with the grants," he said.

To date, the Tournament of Roses Foundation has given away more than $2 million to more than 130 organizations in the community, according to officials.

2010 Foundation Grant Recipients included:

Caltech Y
El Centro de Acción Social
Foothill Creative Arts Group
Harambee Ministries
Lineage Dance
Los Angeles Children's Chorus
Monrovia Schools Foundation
Move A Child Higher, Inc. (MACH1)
Pasadena City College Foundation
Pasadena Education Network (PEN)
Pasadena Junior Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Pasadena Museum of History
Pasadena Summer Youth Chamber Orchestra (PSYCO)
Shumei Arts Council of America
Side Street Projects
South Pasadena Educational Foundation
Southwest Chamber Music
The Academy of Music for the Blind
The Altadena Children's Choir
YWCA Pasadena – Foothill Valley

For more information and questions on the application process, visit: www.tournamentofroses.com/aboutus/foundation.asp.