Umbrella Groups Forming your own organization need not entail the establishment of a large, formal institution. It may mean simple coalitions, consortia, or affinity groups that have no formal, separate legal status. Such group formations and alignments may be quasi-independent from existing community organizations or technical assistance agencies or may function as arms or chapters of such agencies. Any nonprofit organization is eligible to serve as an "umbrella group" for the purpose of applying for grants. An umbrella group refers to an intermediate agency, usually nonprofit, that receives and disburses funds to individuals. Churches, schools, community organizations, self-help groups, arts councils, and even local clubs, if they are nonprofit, may serve as umbrella groups for grant applicants. Examples of the kinds of individual projects that might benefit from this type of less formal arrangement are seasonal events, such as festivals, craft demonstrations, art shows, workshops, seminars, conferences, or poetry readings, all of which are executed within a relatively short period of time. As an individual, or a group of individuals, you really don't need to form an organization to implement such ideas. You simply require some existing group to cover for you (as an umbrella) for the duration of the grant project. Such a short-term affiliation may take the form of a project under the auspices of an umbrella group or of a simple offshoot from it.