• How do we know if our organization is a good fit?

Due to the high interest in funding, the trustees are currently unable to have one-on-one conversations with all interested parties. The foundation's administrator can help with technical questions about the application process but is unable to provide guidance on the fit of the grantee or the structure of the request. If, after reviewing the guidelines, you believe your organization is a good fit, then go ahead and submit an application. If you are unsure which project is the best one, the trustees offer the suggestion: “Apply for the one with the greatest need.”

• Should I send a Letter of Intent or seek preliminary approval to apply?

No. The online application is the appropriate first step in approaching the foundation. If, after reviewing the guidelines, you believe your organization is a good fit, then proceed with the application process.

• Do you award grants to individuals or foreign charities/agencies/NGO’s?

No. Only organizations actively recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) non-profits can be considered.

• My organization is not a 501(c)(3), however we do hold a similar tax exempt status. Can we apply?

Only schools, state governments and churches will be allowed to apply without a valid 501(c)(3) status.

• Can I speak to someone about how best to partner with this initiative?

Due to the high interest in funding, we are currently unable to have one-on-one conversations with all interested parties. Please review the guidelines and use your best judgment.

• When are the application deadlines?

The foundation uses a rolling deadline, so applications can be submitted at any time. The board meets on a quarterly basis and tries to review all applications pending at the time that the meeting agenda is closed.

• We have several programs that may be of interest. How do we decide which is the most appropriate?

The foundation's administrator can help with technical questions about the application process but is unable to provide guidance on the fit of the grantee or the structure of the request. If you are unsure which project is the best one to apply for, the trustees offer the suggestion: “Apply for the one with the greatest need.”

• What are the funding ranges?

Grants may range from $2,500 up to $50,000. In unique circumstances, the foundation does consider a more significant grant for a program having a major impact in one or more of our areas of interest, generally, however, this applies only to existing grantees.

• How much should we request?

We defer to the expertise of the applicants to educate us on the funding needed to run a successful program. Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, focused on outcomes and impact. The request amount must reflect the effectiveness of the proposed program and consider the specific needs and challenges of the communities involved. The foundation does not, generally, fund 100% of a program or organization.

• Is funding available for multi-year commitments or only single-year grants?

The foundation generally will not approve a grant for more than a three-year commitment.

• If I receive a grant, does the foundation require a follow-up report?

The board would appreciate hearing back on the uses of an approved grant at least once (or once per year). The board leaves the format and structure of any report up to the discretion of the grantee. You can mail, email or upload your report. If your organization does not have a standard report and would like some ideas for consideration, you can download a sample template HERE. An alternative option is to request a link to an online page where you can upload the text of a report. The benefit of this option is that the report would then be connected directly to the request & approval in the foundation's systems and thus easier to manage.

• Do you have tips or recommendations for formatting our budgets?

Yes! See our Budget Prep Guide.

• What is the difference between the Account and Application links?

The Application link is only for starting a new application, regardless of whether you are a new or returning applicant. The Account link is where you will find saved / partially completed applications, as well as historical applications. You cannot create a new application within your Account; you must go to the Application Link itself.

• How do I submit a new application? / I have logged into my account but cannot find a way to start a new application.

Whether you are a new or returning applicant, use the Application Link. This will allow you access to the application. Returning applicants would sign in with their existing account information. New applicants will have the chance to create an account by clicking on the "New Applicant?" link under the email box. Please note: this is a separate link from the sign-in page for access to your account, even though the login information is the same.

• I have forgotten my password. How do I reset it? / Why won’t the system recognize my password even after I reset it?

There is a “Forgot Password?” link on the Account Login Page. If your password will not work even after a password reset, it is possible that your organization has another account recognized by our system. If you are unable to confirm or resolve this, email us for more assistance.

• Why am I not receiving any emails after clicking on Forgot Password or after submitting applications?

If you do not receive this email please be sure to check your spam or junk email folder in your inbox or ask your email administrator about spam filter settings. Any emails from mail@grantapplication .com and info@fsllc. net must not be blocked.

• How do I view previous applications? / How do I access a saved application to complete it?

Log in to your account.

• Can I spellcheck the narrative I include on my application?

Yes. Use the red checkmark icon (where available) to spell check your narrative.

• We don’t have a clean copy of our Determination Letter from the IRS.

Please try not to submit a photo of your Determination Letter. If possible, scans to PDF are much preferred. Depending on how recently your organization received its 501(c)(3) status, you may be able to find a copy from the IRS at https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/. These may be TIF image files. If you can, please convert these to PDF files before uploading to the application.

• Can I copy and paste into an application that I have started?

Yes. However, be aware that the word count feature may not be entirely accurate when you do this.

• How do I know my application was received?

After you submit the application, an email notification is sent stating your proposal was received. If you did not get this email, please be sure to check your spam or junk email folder or ask your email administrator about spam filter settings. Emails from mail@grantapplication .com and info@fsllc .net must not be blocked.

• How do I check on the status of my application?

We kindly ask that applicants be judicious with requests for status updates. The confirmation email you received when the request was submitted should contain an anticipated response time. However, there are numerous reasons why an answer may take even longer: extenuating circumstances, deferrals, and vacations & illnesses (just to name a few). If you have not received an answer by the time of the next anticipated board meeting (about 4 months or so after the date listed in the confirmation email), please contact us for an update on the status of your request.

• I received an error message and am unable to resolve it.

Please send an email HERE and we will help you resolve it.

• How do I notify you if my contact information changes after I submit my online application?

Please contact us directly HERE and provide the updated information.

• Can I email receipts, updates and reports?

Yes. Click HERE to send your information and documents. [Note: reports also have the option to be uploaded (see the question on follow-up reports in the previous section).]

• PDF preferred. Print preview!

We prefer that uploads be in PDF format. Most Microsoft Office documents are also acceptable. Either way, make sure your documents are well-formatted and look how you want us to see them! Print preview is your friend! [Please see our short Budget Prep Guide if you would like additional tips.]

• Some formats are incompatible.

Extensions that our system cannot import include “-.pages“, “-.pub” and “-.sheet”, among others. Please convert these to PDF format before uploading.

• No macros or oversized!

Other restrictions: do NOT upload PDFs that have JavaScript or macros (e.g. auto-printing, preview, etc.)! Also, do NOT upload oversized documents [Letter size (8.5” x 11”) works best; treat legal size as the maximum]. These issues will create problems with the processing of your application and may cause it to be rejected outright.