Before You Apply
BEFORE YOU APPLY
We believe that the period before submitting a proposal is the best opportunity for open and candid communication. We strongly encourage potential applicants to review the information on our website and consider whether there is a close fit with our program priorities. If so, we welcome hearing from you.
If you have questions, please reach out by email or phone. We are happy to discuss project ideas, provide initial feedback, and help determine alignment. While our application process is conducted online, we value direct, informal conversations with organizations doing thoughtful and impactful work.
INITIAL PROPOSAL
For any project – whether new or a continuation of an existing relationship-the first step is to submit a proposal through our online grant portal. The proposal should clearly and concisely outline your project, including goals, timeline, methodology, and budget.
As part of the application, you will be asked to provide your Tax ID number and complete a brief eligibility check to confirm your nonprofit status. You will complete an online form and upload required documents, including:
- A Letter of Inquiry (LOI) describing your proposed project
- A copy of your 501(c)(3) determination letter
- Your most recent Form 990 or audited financial statements
We review each proposal holistically, with particular attention to alignment with our program priorities, clarity of approach, and potential for impact.
We will notify you of your status via email. If your proposal is not selected, we will aim to provide clarity on our decision and are open to follow-up conversations where helpful.
Submitting earlier in the cycle is encouraged, as it allows more opportunity for dialogue should questions or clarifications arise during the review process.
REVIEW & ENGAGEMENT
If your project moves forward, we may contact you for additional information or clarification. In some cases, this may involve follow-up conversations by phone or video, or a site visit.
We use these follow-up exchanges to deepen our understanding of your work and explore alignment. While we may engage more closely with some applicants, additional meetings or site visits are not a required part of the process.
Our goal is to maintain a process that is both thoughtful and flexible, allowing for meaningful exchange without creating unnecessary burden.
AFTER THE GRANT
Receiving a grant is just the beginning of an ongoing process.
If awarded, you will receive a grant agreement outlining payment and reporting requirements. Please review, sign, and return the agreement promptly.
Beyond the formal reporting, we encourage you to stay in touch and share updates on your work. If we fund your project, it is because we are interested in learning alongside you and understanding your progress over time.
We also encourage you to revisit our website periodically, as our program priorities and processes may evolve.