Core Grants

How do I begin the application process?

First read our guidelines to familiarize yourself with our grantmaking program and the application requirements. If you have questions, contact our grants manager at grantsmanager@grandvictoriafdn.org

Is it helpful to contact a member of your board of directors to discuss my idea?

Our directors request that all inquiries be addressed to Foundation staff.

Do I have to send a letter of inquiry?

Yes. The Foundation only considers proposals that are invited in response to letters of inquiry. Letters of inquiry must be on letterhead and signed by the head of the organization. They are due the first Fridays in May and October and must be received at the Foundation office no later than 5:00 p.m. Letters may be sent via USPS or e-mail at grantsmanager@grandvictoriafdn.org

When will I hear whether a full proposal is invited?

We make every effort to answer letters of inquiry within 20 working days of the inquiry due date.

How much money should I ask for?

There's no set range. We look at the scope and long-term impact of your project, the size of your organization, and the other sources of funding you've secured.

Is there a page limit for full proposals?

Yes: twelve pages for your narrative, which should relate directly to the questions posed in Step 3 of our guidelines. We find that proposals packed with rhetoric and industry jargon obscure the clarity of a project idea and your plans for implementation.

What makes a good proposal?

A clear and succinct description of the proposed project, focusing on the big idea, the need or issue it addresses, the expected outcomes of your effort and how they complement other efforts in the field of practice, the method of assessing outcomes, and the project's relationship to the Foundation's grantmaking programs and strategic priorities.

How many copies of my proposal should I send?

The letter we send inviting you to submit a full proposal provides that information. Please note that the required attachments are part of your proposal. For example, if we ask for 2 copies, each copy should include the attachments.

What is the review process for letters of inquiry and full proposals?

Staff reviews letters of inquiry for their general fit with Foundation grantmaking programs. Full proposals are given more in-depth review by staff and a corps of independent reviewers with expertise in relevant fields. The board of directors considers the requests along with findings of the in-depth reviews and decides whether to approve a grant.

What types of efforts does the Foundation typically support?

Generally we support policy, advocacy, and systems change efforts focused on our three funding areas. We will consider direct service projects that are tied to systems change efforts.

Does the Foundation support general operations?

Yes. To qualify for general operating support, your organization must first fit our grantmaking programs and strategic priorities. We provide limited general support to 1) exemplary single-program organizations; and 2) organizations that provide a range of expertise that is called upon by a variety of public and private agencies.

Does the Foundation fund multi-year requests?

Generally, we will consider a request for two years of support from organizations that have received funding in the past and with which we have an established relationship.

What is required in the budget submitted with the proposal?

Organizations applying for project support should submit a project-specific budget detailing expected revenues and expenses as well as a breakdown of how Grand Victoria Foundation funds will be spent.  They should also submit an organizational budget that reflects both revenues and expenses. Organizations applying for general operating support should submit an organizational budget that reflects both revenues and expenses. Organizations should also submit a year-to-date revenue and expense statement and a balance sheet for the most recently completed quarter.

What is a budget narrative?

A budget narrative briefly describes each line item in the project budget.  It tells us important information about your project plan and the financial assumptions under which you operate. For instance, under personnel, it may indicate the number of staff and the percentage of their allocated time, or it may relate to how many brochures are to be printed and the costs for design, production, and printing under “promotion and outreach.” The budget narrative also should clearly list other sources of support, both secured and pending.

What does the Foundation mean by best practices?

Best practices are those for which there is documented research or evidence of their effectiveness in achieving specific outcomes.

Does the Foundation prefer to support new programs or the expansion of existing programs?

The Foundation does not use that lens when evaluating proposals. Rather, we place high priority on efforts that advance our mission and strategic priorities and that are consistent with our values.

What exactly does “board involvement” mean?

Board involvement includes leadership, governance, and financial oversight. We also are interested in the extent to which the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of a board is representative of the populations served by an organization.

Which resumes should be included with the proposal?

Include resumes of everyone directly responsible for implementing the proposed program.

When will I get my grant check?

When a grant is approved, the Foundation sends a grant award agreement to the grantee. The agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of the grant, including payment schedule, grant contingencies, and reporting requirements. Unless there are certain contingencies that must be met, such as matching a challenge grant, most grants are released when the Foundation receives the signed grant award agreement.

What are the reporting requirements?

Generally, we require an interim report six months after a grant period begins and a final report 30 days after the grant period ends.  However, some projects require more or less frequent reporting. Foundation staff determines the reporting requirements.