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Foundation For the Challenged

Grantmaking

Grants to Nonprofit Organizations

Grantmaking Policy
The Foundation’s charitable giving is to serve as a means to further the work of partnerships among communities of support that focus on accessing more community living options and inclusion opportunities for people with developmental disabilities. 

Grant Guidelines

  1. The Foundation makes grants to charitable, nonprofit organizations that are exempt under the United States Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) and governmental entities for public and charitable purposes.
  2. The Foundation gives special attention to innovative and creative projects and programs that assist and support individuals with MR/DD to experience community living and inclusion through membership or association with neighborhood clubs and organizations, experiential learning and leisure activities.
  3. The Foundation does not consider proposals for computers, annual campaigns, research or feasibility studies, consulting services, general endowment funds, operating budgets, individual loans, scholarships or general purposes. The Foundation does not respond to unsolicited mass mailings.
  4. To initiate the Foundation’s grant-making process, an organization must submit a letter — not a proposal — to the Foundation’s executive director, via email to fwesseling@ffcohio.org. The letter, not to exceed two pages, should briefly outline the nature of the project, its budget requirements and the amount of the contribution being requested from the Foundation. The letter may be submitted at any time during the year.
  5. The Foundation requests that the organization not send any support material with this initial letter. If the Foundation’s executive director determines the project described is in keeping with the Foundation’s grant-making criteria, the executive director may request the organization to prepare a complete grant proposal for consideration by the FFC Board. Complete grant proposals are to be submitted only upon the request of the Foundation.

If the Foundation Requests a Grant Proposal
Any grant proposal the Foundation requests from your organization should be concise and thoughtful and include the following sections:

  • One-page cover letter on the organization’s letterhead, signed by the chief executive or chairperson of the board, summarizing the proposal and stating the amount requested over an indicated period of time.
  • Name of the project and explanation of the program to be funded. Include objectives and goals, time frame, budget and other sources of funding.
  • Organizational overview including mission, history and services provided.
  • Amount of money being requested of the Foundation, the project’s total costs and a list of other funding entities being approached for the same funding.
  • Most recent annual report and financial statement.
  • Current list of officers, directors or trustees.
  • Copy of your organization’s 501(c)(3) determination letter.

Timelines
Grants are awarded three times each year, in March, June and September. Timelines for submitting the grant proposal follow. Again, a letter only may be submitted any time during the year.

GRANT PROPOSAL POSTMARKED BY

REVIEWED BY COMMITTEE

GRANTEE NOTIFIED

January 31

February

March

April 30

May

June

July 31

August

September

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Adopted: June 2001
Last Updated: June 2008