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Overview: How to Apply

Standard Application Procedures (Revised 1/2012)  

Letters of inquiry (LOIs) and applications for general funding requests must be submitted online. If you are interested in Medical Research / Biomedical Investments Application procedures, please click here.

The Foundation does not have any submission deadlines. LOIs and applications are accepted throughout the year. The Foundation’s goal is to send applicants written notification of its decision within 90 days, but this may vary depending on the application.

Online Grant Application Process:
Prior to beginning the online grant process, we strongly recommend that you review the following pages of this website to ensure that your organization/program aligns with our funding guidelines:

• Types of support
• Eligibility
• What we fund  

In addition, it is important that you review the Quick Reference Guide in order to adequately prepare for the application process. 

How to Apply: 

• If you HAVE received a grant in the past from the Foundation, contact the program officer with whom you worked by email, phone, or regular mail. They will instruct you on how or whether to proceed. Please note that all required reports must be received by the Foundation prior to the submission of an additional funding application.
• If you have NOT received a grant from the Foundation and have reviewed the documents and pages recommended above, follow these steps:

1. Create an account: The first time you enter the online application system, you will need to create an account for your organization by registering. Once you have read through all of the steps listed here, use the links below to get started.

2. Submit a letter of inquiry (LOI): Once you’ve successfully created your account and received log in information from the Foundation via email, you will be able to apply for funding. When filling out the LOI form, you will be able to save your form and return to edit, complete, and submit it at a later time. There is no time limit to the submission session, so you will not be timed out. However, we strongly recommend that you review the Quick Reference Guide and gather any needed information prior to beginning the form. Once your LOI is submitted, you will receive an email confirming receipt. The email will include a copy of the LOI content. Your LOI will be reviewed by the Foundation staff and you will receive an email with additional information. If your LOI is approved, you will be invited to submit a full application.

3. Submit a full application: If you have been invited to submit a full application, simply log into your account to fill out the expanded form. When filling out the application, you will be able to save your form and return to edit, complete, and submit it at a later time. There is no time limit to the session itself, so you will not be timed out. We recommend that you review the Quick Reference Guide again and gather any needed information prior to beginning the application.

4. Submit your application: Once you are satisfied with your application, click submit. When your completed online application is received, an automated response with a unique reference number will be emailed to you acknowledging the receipt. We will make every effort to contact you within 90 days with a response.

5. Submit all required reports: If you have submitted a request prior to the online grant system, click here for reporting information. If you have or are submitting an application online, you will be prompted on reports through the online application system and sent information via email.

Links to begin the application process:

Open an account
Submit an LOI
Submit a full application (only after your LOI has been reviewed and approved by the Foundation)

Other Important Information:
The Foundation requires every recipient organization to submit reports during and at the conclusion of the grant period. Information on reporting will be emailed to applicants as needed. Grantees may also be asked to participate in site visits by Foundation associates, and/or informal project evaluations conducted by the Foundation or its representatives.

The Foundation is able to fund only a limited number of the requests received. If support is not provided for a particular request despite meeting guideline criteria and funding interests, it should be understood by the applicant that needs in the community change, sometimes rapidly and significantly, and the Foundation must be flexible in meeting them. We simply may not have the resources to support your proposal.

If you have other questions or concerns, please submit them to our proposal processing staff. If you would like to speak with someone personally, please call (716) 856-9490.