Qualifications

1. Letters of inquiry are accepted only from organizations that have been ruled to be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that are not private foundations as defined in the Code.

 

2. Grants are not made to individuals, or for religious, political or lobbying activities, or to membership organizations.

 

3. Applications will not be considered from any organization that has received a grant from the Fund in the previous thirty-six months.

 

4. As a general rule, proposals for the following purposes are not accepted for consideration:
   • Advocacy or litigation
   • Research
   • Endowments
   • Special events, conferences, workshops, or seminars
   • Travel expenses
   • Annual giving campaigns, benefits, or sponsorships
   • Courtesy advertising
   • Production of films or publications

 

5. As a general rule, proposals from the following types of organizations are not accepted for consideration:
   • Independent schools
   • Institutions of post-secondary education
   • National or international organizations or concerns
   • Hospitals

 

6. Preference is given to requests for special, one-time needs of organizations (e.g., equipment and capital needs).  Applications for general operating support are rarely considered.

 

7. If a request for funding is denied, organizations must wait at least twelve months before submitting another request.

We greatly appreciate your understanding of the need to establish priorities and apply restrictions to the Fund's giving.  If you have questions about them or are uncertain whether your organization would qualify for funding, please call the Fund at (202) 334-6640.