Norwich - Before the Sachem Fund Committee launches a new grant offering, the group will rewrite the rules and criteria to mandate that applications involve collaborations with multiple entities and that proposed projects have impacts on the economy or bring "a draw" to Norwich.

The Sachem Fund, created by the city and the Mohegan Tribe to fund cultural and economic development projects, has $223,109 in available funding. But in recent tight budget years, the tribe and the city have not added to the fund.

In the spring, a three-member subcommittee of Gary Evans, Mark Brown and Lottie Scott was asked to develop new criteria for how a new round of grant applications can have more lasting effects than some past grant awards.

The full Sachem Fund Committee heard a presentation Thursday on the preliminary proposal but is awaiting more details before deciding whether to open a new grant application round with the new rules, Chairman Francois "Pete" Desaulniers said.

Evans said the proposal has three main goals - to generate a financial return on investment for the city by improving or stabilizing the economy, potentially bring additional outside funding to the Sachem Fund, or create a legacy or lasting project or program.

The subcommittee next will better define those goals that could be used to create an application process. Desaulniers said the committee also has to research the original 2006 ordinance that created the fund to see if it must be amended to allow for the new proposed rules.

Evans said by mandating collaborations, the committee would seek proposals that share resources and staffing among the applicant groups, saving money and spreading the benefits. Proposals could be tied to one-time events - as some past grants have done - but would have to show tangible impact on the local economy.

Evans and Desaulniers declined to offer possible specific examples to avoid potentially steering future applications. But they said the committee will seek proposals that draw people to the city and create "word-of-mouth" publicity for the city.

There is no time frame for deciding on the new rules or opening new grants rounds.

Evans said the idea of bringing new money into the fund was envisioned from the start by former Mayor Benjamin Lathrop but hasn't yet happened. If collaborative proposals are successful, it's possible they could attract private foundation funding that could be funneled through the Sachem Fund "umbrella" for dispersal, Evans said.

c.bessette@theday.com