Norwich — Agencies, nonprofit groups and businesses interested in applying for grants from the new Sachem Fund must submit detailed letters of intent by May 15.

The city and the Mohegan Tribe created the Sachem Fund, with each committing $200,000 per year for five years, to give out grants for proposals to improve the city.

The fund was set up so the committee could carry money over from one year to the next. Mayor Benjamin Lathrop also wants to encourage donations from outside sources, such as bank foundations or local fundraisers.

The new Sachem Fund Committee, composed of city and tribal officials and one Norwich resident, met for the first time Tuesday to outline the process for handling applications for the program.

After reviewing the proposals, the committee will make recommendations to the City Council for final approval.

Lathrop, a committee member, handed all members copies of the ordinance governing the fund and asked members to pay close attention to the 12 funding categories.

Lathrop said he did not want to create a formal application process, preferring to ask applicants for detailed letters of intent that would explain how they would use the requested money and how the request fit into the 12 funding categories. But other committee members insisted on some formality.

City Comptroller Joseph Ruffo said the city routinely asks for quarterly financial reports or IRS forms and detailed budgets when outside nonprofit groups apply for city funds. The committee agreed to do the same.

Member Lottie Scott said applicants should be very specific in explaining how their proposed grant would “meet the intent of the Sachem Fund.”

Copies of the governing ordinance will be posted on the city's Web site at www.norwichct.org. Copies also are available at the mayor's office at City Hall. Call 823-3743 to request a copy.

The committee will start reviewing proposals June 24, and it envisions four rounds of grant applications per year. With that in mind, Nash said, applicants should not be discouraged if they are not chosen during the first round of grants.

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