the application
process

The Foundation accepts grant applications through our online portal. New applicants should first submit a letter of inquiry to see if their organization might be a fit. Read below for more details on all steps of the grant application and reporting process.

The Foundation launched a new grant portal on March 2, 2020. ALL organizations must create an account through the new portal in order to submit requests. View the Help Guide.

eligibility

checklist


- Programming aligns with Foundation's mission and portfolio work
The Foundation works in child welfare, youth development, chronic health & disability services, animal welfare, mental & behavioral health, and international Learn more on the what we fund page

- Programming serves North Texas residents
Organizations must serve residents (companion animals, children, youth and their families) of Dallas-Fort Worth and the surrounding counties. Because the need is so great within North Texas, grants will not be awarded to programs that serve constituencies outside of North Texas - even if a program falls within one of the Foundation’s portfolio areas.

- International requests must be invited to apply
Because the need is so great around the world, the Foundation’s capacity to support organizations working internationally is limited. Therefore, organizations that serve international communities are only invited to apply if contacted by the Foundation

- Organization is a 501(c)(3) charity in good standing
The Foundation distributes grants only to qualified public entities or organizations exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation does not support other private foundations or commercial businesses, nor does it make loans or grants to individuals.

- Request complies with funding cycle
For current grantees, the board will not consider a new request until 12 months after the decision to approve the previous grant request or until the grant term is complete (for multi-year grants) AND the Foundation has received the final grant report. For declined requests, the board will not consider a new request until 12 months after the decision to decline the previous grant request.


how to

apply




1

Register for the
Grantee Portal

1

A portal login is required to submit LOIs, Applications and Grantee Reports.


2

Submit Letter
of Inquiry


Organizations that have not received funding from the Foundation previously, or organizations that have received funding but are requesting funding for a new program not previously supported, are strongly encouraged to submit a Letter of Inquiry. View Help Guide


3

Invitation to Apply

3

If an organization’s program is a good fit based on information provided in the Letter of Inquiry, the organization will receive an invitation via email to submit a full application. Please allow 30 days for notification of invitation or decline.


4

Submit
Application


A returning grantee is welcome to submit a new grant application once its current grant term ends and the final report is submitted. A prospective grantee that has been invited to apply will see the pending application in the portal where it can be completed. View Help Guide


5

Staff Review

5

Once an application is submitted, it will be reviewed by a member of the Foundation staff, who will be in contact once the due diligence phase begins. Timing for staff review is contingent upon eligibility and staff availability.


6

Board Review


The Board meets 10 times per year, and grantees are typically notified of grant approval within 48 hours of the decision.


7

Grant Contract

7

Within 15 days of grant award notification, the grantee will receive a grant contract via email that must be signed by the organization’s CEO and board chair. Review the contract carefully as it will contain grant stipulations, the Foundation’s Communication Policy (i.e., if and how the grant can be made public), grant goals, and grant reporting deadlines and instructions.


8

Payment Disbursement


Within 15 days of the Foundation receiving the signed contract, payment is disbursed via wire transfer. Conditional grants and some multi-year grants may receive delayed disbursements once conditions are met. See grant contract for specifics.


9

Final grantee
report submitted

9

All grants require at least one report, however, some grants may require interim reports throughout the grant term. See grant contract for specific reporting deadlines and instructions. View Help Guide

view our

help guide

more info
frequently asked

questions





What types of organizations does the Foundation support?
The Foundation distributes grants only to qualified public entities or organizations exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Foundation does not support other private foundations or commercial businesses. The Foundation does not make loans or grants to individuals.
I have a question about the online portal. What should I do?
The first step is to review the Grantee Portal Help Guide. It includes information about creating an account, logging in, submitting LOIs, applications and reports, and troubleshooting.

The most frequently asked questions are about logging in, so please remember:
1). Usernames are different from email addresses. Be sure you are using your username, which cannot contain the @ sign.
2). When resetting your password, be sure you are using your username. You will not receive an error if you enter your email instead of your username.
3). Be sure you are using Google Chrome. The portal does not play well with other browsers. You will receive errors when attempting to login if you are using Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.

Other questions can be email to us.
What types of programs does the Foundation support?
The Foundation is guided by its mission statement and funding priorities. The primary funding areas of the Foundation are Animal Welfare, Child Welfare, Mental & Behavioral Health, Chronic Health & Disability Services, and Child & Youth Experiences.

The Foundation only makes grants to organizations that serve children, youth, and families in North Texas. The Foundation makes International grants by invitation only.
What are the financial guidelines for a grant request?
As a guideline, the Foundation typically will not fund more than 25 percent of a project’s budget or more than 10 percent of an organization’s total annual operating budget.
What are the deadlines for grant applications?
The Foundation accepts grant applications throughout the year. However, it is a good idea to submit an application at least four months before the funding is needed.

Please note that if your organization was awarded a grant, you will not be eligible to submit a new grant application until the final report is received for your current grant.
What types of grants does the Foundation fund?
The Foundation will fund general operating expenses, requests for specific programs or projects, and capital requests.
What will the Foundation not fund?
The Foundation typically does not make grants to underwrite fundraising events, scholarships, professional conferences, symposiums, performances, competition expenses, or to fund endowments.

The Foundation does not support lobbying of any kind. The Foundation does not support other private foundations or commercial businesses.

The Foundation does not make loans or grants to individuals.
What geographic region does the Foundation fund?
The Foundation makes grants to organizations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and adjoining counties. Most of our grants go to agencies that work in underserved communities in North Texas.

The Foundation supports select international organizations by invitation only.
Is a letter of inquiry required before submitting a proposal?
A letter of inquiry is not required, but one may be submitted online via the grantee portal if there is uncertainty about a grant request being a match for the Foundation. This is recommended for grantees that are new to the Foundation, or current/previous grantees that are seeking funding for a new program.
Are grant requests required to be in a particular form?
All letters of inquiry and grant requests must be submitted online through the Foundation’s grantee portal*.

*Please note that the Foundation launched a new online platform on March 2, 2020. ALL organizations must create an account through the new portal in order to submit requests and reports.
Can a meeting be scheduled to discuss a possible grant request?
Preliminary meetings are discouraged due to time constraints and the volume of applications that the Foundation receives. The process begins by reviewing an application or letter of inquiry. If the staff determines that a meeting or site visit would be beneficial, you will be contacted.

The Foundation’s blog includes posts from the program officers with insight into what they each look for when reviewing grant applications.
How often are grant requests considered?
The Foundation’s board typically meets eleven times a year to consider grant requests.
How will I know if an application has been accepted or rejected?
All applicants will receive written communication regarding the disposition of their application. Grant requests are typically processed within three to four months after an eligible* application has been received.

*See What are the deadlines for grant applications? question for eligibility requirements.
If the Foundation approves a grant request, when can payment be expected?
Upon approval, the Foundation will send a grant award letter and a grant contract, which must be signed and returned. The grant will not be paid until the Foundation receives the contract.

To expedite this process, please provide the Executive Director/CEO’s email and the Board Chair’s email when prompted to do so during the final step of submitting a grant application. Contracts require signatures from both the ED/CEO and Board Chair. Contracts are sent via secure email.

Generally, the contract will state the payment schedule and any conditions required before payment. If there are specific deadlines for a project, those deadlines will be clearly stated in the contract. If there are conditions to the grant, which is typical of matching or challenge grants, notification must be made with reasonable evidence that the conditions have been met prior to payment.
If a grant request is declined, when can another grant request be submitted?
Although a new grant request can be submitted earlier, the board will not consider a new request until 12 months after the decision to decline the previous grant request.
If a grant request is accepted, can another grant request be submitted?
Although a new grant request can be submitted earlier, the board will not consider a new request until 12 months after the decision to approve the previous grant request AND the Foundation has received the final grant report.

New grant requests from an organization that has received a multi-year grant from the Foundation will not be considered until the grant term is complete AND the Foundation has received the final grant report.
If a grant request is approved will I need to report on the grant?
Organizations funded by the Foundation must provide a full report of previous grant expenditures and outcomes of the grant. Details for the grant report will be stated in the grant contract.

Reporting on grant goals will vary by organization and grant. A full list of the grant goals your organization will be responsible for reporting on can be found in your grant contract.

Specific instructions for accessing and submitting grant reports can be found in the Grantee Portal Help Guide.
I am a new organization and don’t have all the information requested. Can I still apply?
New organizations may submit a letter of inquiry via the online portal. Include the most current information available in the letter. Once the letter of inquiry is reviewed by a Foundation staff member, you will be contacted if additional information is required.
Should an organization wait to hear from the Foundation before applying to other foundations?
An organization should not wait to hear from the Foundation before applying to other foundations. It is a good idea to submit applications to multiple funding sources, as doing so will improve the chances of raising funds.
I have another question. With whom can I speak?
Questions can be emailed to us or you can call (214) 751-2977.