The Foundation only accepts proposals through its online application system and will not accept proposals by mail, fax, or email. **NOTE: The Strategic Grant Application process for the Strengthening Democracy focus area is different from the others. Please click here before beginning an application.

8.4.10:

“The Foundation continually strives to improve its grant applications and application processes.  Our applications are tweaked between grant cycles to make them more user-friendly and reader-friendly.  As a result, our on-line application system cannot be accessed from February 3-May 15 and August 3-November 15 while changes are made.

However, we have posted PDFs of our grant applications so that potential applicants can view the most recent versions of the applications.  We expect that minor changes will be made prior to the next deadline, but the general framework of the application and the gist of the questions will remain the same.  Thus, if someone wishes to begin completing an application while our on-line system is down, s/he may begin crafting answers to the application questions and can paste the answers into the application once the system is turned back on.

If you wish to apply for a grant, please revisit the web site after May 15 for the August 1 deadline and November 15 for the February 1 deadline in order to access our on-line application system.”

For a specific timeline of dates related to the grant application process, click here.

High-speed internet access is highly recommended for completing the online application.  For assistance finding a location in your community with high-speed internet access, click here or locate a local public library. Please contact the Foundation if your organization cannot locate a computer equipped with high-speed internet; staff will provide you with an alternative method of submitting your application.

Please review the application process frequently asked questions before contacting the Foundation with specific questions or technical issues.

The Foundation has two grant processes: one for small grants (requests of up to $35,000 for up to 2 years) and another for strategic grants (requests for more than $35,000 per year).  For each grant application process, the Foundation offers two types of applications:  a general operating support application requests unrestricted funds for the organization’s overall budget; a project support application requests funds earmarked for a particular activity or project within the organization.  Applicants must choose the appropriate application before beginning the online application process. **NOTE: The Strategic Grant Application process for the Strengthening Democracy focus area is different from the others. Please click here before beginning an application.  

Please note that you must complete the online application; PDF previews (available to the right) are for informational purposes only.  Most responses on the application are limited by a word count; many applicants find it useful to craft their answers in a word processing program and then copy and paste their answers into the online application.