MMRMA Updates Risk Avoidance Program Requirements and Processes
Posted: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority began the Risk Avoidance Program (RAP) in 1997. Since that time, the Membership Committee has reviewed 3,000 applications for various risk management projects. RAP is intended to help MMRMA members mitigate property and liability exposures by providing in-kind funding to help offset the cost of projects and equipment. RAP has been extremely successful over the years and has provided funding of over $10,000,000.
MMRMA and the Membership Committee have recently reviewed the RAP Grant Guidelines, application form, and intake process. As a result of this review, MMRMA made some modifications to the program. Following is a summary of the changes:
- The RAP Grant Guidelines document has been revised to clarify language and provide members with additional criteria and guidance in regard to project selection. MMRMA and the Membership Committee will focus funding on projects that provide a unique and innovative approach to solving a specific risk management problem or set of related problems and/or projects that demonstrate a positive return on investment in relation to a specific issue or hazard.
- The RAP Application form has been revised to clarify language and provide a section for MMRMA staff to review and make notes regarding Membership Committee review.
- A RAP Grant Checklist has been developed to assist members in making sure that grant applications submitted to MMRMA are complete.
- All documents associated with RAP Grants are available via the MMRMA website or by contacting MMRMA staff. There are two packets of information associated with RAP Grants: A RAP Grant Application Packet and a RAP Grant Informational Packet. These documents will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. It is very important for members to be sure they are using the current version of these documents, as they contain the most up-to-date information regarding the grant process.
- All RAP Grant Applications must contain documentation supporting the project budget. This documentation can consist of anything from product specification documents to final invoices and proofs of payment.
- MMRMA has implemented a more stringent internal review process for applications prior to being presented to the Membership Committee for review. Grant applications that are missing critical pieces of information as detailed in the RAP Grant Checklist will be returned to the member for revision. Only complete applications as reviewed by MMRMA staff will be presented to the MMRMA Membership Committee for funding consideration. MMRMA encourages submission of applications prior to posted deadlines to allow for internal review. Applications received on the deadline that must be returned to the member for revision will be held until the following quarter for review by the Membership Committee. The current deadline is posted on the MMRMA homepage.
These program updates were reviewed and approved by the Membership Committee in spring 2015 and were implemented immediately. MMRMA Risk Control staff is available to assist members in compiling and completing grant applications.
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