Program grants require a preliminary letter of inquiry describing the project. It is our hope that the inquiry process makes the best use of the grant seeker's time as well as ours. Through it, we determine whether our board might consider a full proposal.
Letters of inquiry have no deadlines and are accepted throughout the year.
It is best to allow plenty of time to discuss such letters and program ideas with our staff. In fact, because of the number of inquiries received, it is not unusual for applicants to begin conversations with program staff many months before we can bring proposals to board meetings. Inquiry letters are typically one to three pages in length and explain the program mission, the background of the organization, the activities to be supported, and the requested level of support. You can send a letter by mail, fax or e-mail. Organizations proposing programs that fit the Foundation's current funding strategies will be invited to submit a full proposal by one of our program officers.