Frequently Asked Questions
How much support can my organization request?
Funding levels are determined after a review of the request and the information submitted. There are two levels of requests: Grants for requests up to $5,000 and Board Grants for requests over $5,000. Please refer to the Program Guidelines for further information on Foundation funding policies.
When submitting a proposal, how much information should be sent initially?
For a Grant request, please complete the online request form and submit your IRS Letter of Determination. For a Board Grant, the first step in our submission process is the Preliminary Proposal. Please be complete, but concise and succinct when completing this form. An outline is available in the Program Guidelines or may be submitted online by selecting Board Grant Online Preliminary Proposal. If your project is selected for further consideration, Foundation staff will contact your organization informing you that your proposal has been selected for further review and will instruct you on the additional information necessary for the Full Proposal.
Does the Foundation give grants to individuals or fiscal conduits?
No. The Foundation only funds organizations in receipt of a 501(c)(3) designation letter. In addition, we verify that you have maintained this status through GuideStar. The Foundation does not give grants to individuals. We do not consider requests from organizations for support through a fiscal conduit.
What are the deadlines for proposals?
There are no deadlines for proposals. You may apply at any time. Please keep in mind that all requests are subject to a review process and allow for this time when sending in your request. The average time proposal submission and selection for a Grant can range from four to eight weeks. The average time for a Board Grant varies and begins with the Preliminary Proposal. The process is competitive and not all proposals are selected for consideration of funding. Due to the extensive review process, the Foundation cannot act upon requests with immediate funding needs.
What is an IRS Letter of Determination?
My organization has a NYS Tax Exempt certificate, do we qualify for funding?
Maybe. A New York State Tax Form relieves a nonprofit of paying Sales Tax. However not all tax exempt nonprofits have an IRS 501(c)(3) designation. If you do not have a copy of your IRD Letter of Determination, please call the IRS toll-free line to obtain a copy.
If my proposal is declined, can my organization reapply?
It depends on the reason for the declination. If your organization and/or proposal is clearly outside our guidelines or geographic funding area, then we are not able to fund you. If, however, the declination reflected annual budget restrictions for the Foundation, then a request the following year could be considered.