Grant FAQ
General Grant Questions
Yes. If your organization meets the criteria for a capital grant as described on the website, a request can be submitted for both a capital and an operating or program grant. A separate LOI should be submitted for each request. One organization may not submit more than two requests.
The review process is comprised of two stages: the LOI followed by a full proposal if invited. Grant proposals are carefully reviewed by Foundation staff and then ultimately approved or declined by the Trustees.
If your organization is invited to submit a full proposal, you can expedite the review process by submitting the documents as soon as possible. During the due diligence process, you can assist Foundation staff by being responsive to requests for information.
No. Each year there are many organizations the Foundation is not able to fund. Some organizations do successfully receive a grant after having been initially declined. If your organization is declined, you may wish to contact the relevant Program Team member before submitting a new LOI to determine if your request fits within the Foundation’s goals.
There is no typical grant amount. The size of a grant depends on the budgetary needs of a particular organization or project and the Foundation’s financial resources. The exact amount is at the discretion of the Trustees.
Not necessarily. Some organizations have received support for many years because of the unique nature of their direct services in the community. If the Foundation believes it is important to ensure that this work is continued, a new grant may be looked upon favorably. The Foundation will consider past performance when evaluating a new request, regardless of whether or not the organization has been previously funded.
Possibly. The Foundation prefers that an organization complete a grant cycle before applying for a new grant. However, requests to apply before the close of a grant cycle will be considered on a case by case basis, and grantees should contact the appropriate Program Team member for additional information.
The Foundation does not increase funding amounts for active grants.
You should ensure that your organization meets the Foundation’s goals, follows guidelines, and is responsive throughout the review process. Even if your organization is eligible and responsive, the Foundation cannot guarantee that a grant will be made.
The Foundation typically does not fund organizations that have operated for less than three years.
- Individuals
- Arts and culture
- Post-secondary scholarships
- Debt reduction
- Colleges and universities
- Religious institutions and facilities (including churches, synagogues, congregations, mosques, and temples)
- Think tanks
- Endowments
- Political action groups
- Annual appeals (in most cases)
- Publications
- Academic or health research
- Fundraising events
Questions specific to the Small Grants Program:
The geographic focus areas are Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, New York City, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and San Francisco, as well as rural areas near these priority communities.
Yes, as long as the entity applying has a distinct budget of $3 million or less that is managed by the local organization.
Yes. An organization may apply for another Small Grant, but only after a final report for the initial grant has been submitted and reviewed.
