Tier 2

Tier 2 applications are for strategic projects and the expansion or start-up of innovative programs by established organizations.

Depending upon the request amount (either more or less than $25,000), a Tier 2 application follows either a one-step process ($25,000 or less) or a two-step Letter of Inquiry process (greater than $25,000).

Previous Tier 2 grants must be closed before a new application may be submitted.


Tier 2 request of $25,000 or less: a one-step application process

Deadlines

Tier 2 requests of $25,000 or less are accepted on an ongoing basis. Decisions are generally made within 90 days of submission.

Tier 2 request greater than $25,000: a two-step process

1. Letter of Inquiry

The Letter of Inquiry includes a range of required materials be submiited. Please be sure to read the complete instructions for Tier 2 requests greater than $25,000. Before submitting a letter of inquiry, it is strongly recommended that your organization contact the Foundation to discuss its project with a Program Officer. This initial conversation will help your organization gauge the Foundation's interest in the project. When the Foundation receives a Letter of Inquiry, the applicant organization will be notified via email.


2. Full proposal

Should the project described in the Letter of Inquiry be of interest to the Foundation, a formal invitation will be extended to the applicant to undertake the second step of the process, submission of a full Tier 2 proposal. An invitation would typically be extended within two to three months of submitting the Letter of Inquiry. Once invited, the applicant will be provided with the necessary information to download the application requirements from a secure part of the Foundation's web site.

Deadlines

In general, the Board of Directors considers large grants (more than $25,000) twice a year: the first meeting is held in June - July and the second in November - December.

It is best to submit a Letter of Inquiry no later than early January for consideration at the summer meeting and no later than early July for the winter meeting.

If the Letter of Inquiry is of interest to the Foundation, the applicant will be invited to submit a full proposal. At that time, the Foundation may state a specific deadline for full application submission.

Please bear in mind that because of the competitive nature of the grantmaking process, there are no guarantees about the timing of consideration of any given application. Beyond Foundation interest, the quality and completeness of an application directly impacts the duration of the evaluation process.

Grant procedures, including deadlines, are subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Directors.