The application process for General Operating and Project Support grants commences with the submission of an online or hard copy Letter of Inquiry (LOI). We accept and review LOIs on an ongoing basis, without specific deadlines. However, to ensure your request receives thorough consideration, organizations and individuals seeking grants should submit their LOIs three to four months in advance. The review of an LOI typically does not entail a site visit but may involve a telephone conversation with one of our staff members. Within eight weeks of LOI submission, our team collaborates to decide whether to request additional materials to advance your application.
If your organization receives an invitation to submit additional materials following the LOI review, your application will undergo further review and consideration. Organizations provided this opportunity will be paired with a program officer who will assist in compiling your request file. The additional information requested may encompass audits, financial data, board lists, and more detailed program information. Completed request files submitted at least 10 weeks in advance of the next scheduled board meeting will be presented at that meeting. Some applications may be deferred to the subsequent board meeting to allow ample time for additional information gathering and review.
Please take note that requests for multi-year general operating support necessitate a current strategic or business plan that clearly outlines your organization’s goals, intended outcomes, and a plan for achieving them.
As part of our comprehensive due diligence process, the assigned program officer, often accompanied by other Foundation staff, may conduct a site visit. Additionally, they may reach out to board members, clients, leadership of collaborating or similar organizations, and other funders to gain a deeper understanding of your organization.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors makes grant decisions based on staff reviews, research, and recommendations. Although there are no specific LOI deadlines, our staff requires adequate time to thoroughly evaluate each request. Generally, we recommend submitting an LOI three to four months prior to the next board meeting. Within eight weeks of LOI submission, our staff will decide whether to advance the request, and to build the request file. The assigned staff member will request additional materials to be received at least 10 weeks in advance of the next scheduled board meeting. Some applications may be deferred to a subsequent board meeting to allow for additional information gathering and review. Foundation staff will promptly inform the applicant of the Board’s decision, and grant awards for up to one year will be disbursed shortly after each meeting.
