Application Information

A review of the most current Foundation Annual Report, available here, provides general information which will be helpful in completing the application request for funding.

ACCEPTANCE PERIOD:

The Foundation will accept grant online grant applications during two periods each year as follows:

Acceptance Period Deadline Date    Trustees Meeting
1. Month of March April 1, 5:00pm ESTSpring
2. Month of August September 1, 5:00pm ESTFall

Application Procedures & Guidelines

Each request must be accompanied by a copy of the organization’s current U. S. Treasury Department Tax Exemption Section 501(c)(3) letter and its classification under Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Grant requests are submitted to the Trustees for consideration. All applicants will be notified in writing of action taken by the Trustees shortly after each Trustee meeting.

Trustee meetings are not scheduled on specific dates, but Trustees typically meet in the spring and fall, depending on grant requests received and funds available for distribution. Tentative meeting dates can be obtained by contacting the Secretary.

Grant making priorities of the Foundation are general purpose and not limited to any specific area of interest, although Trustees may designate a portion of income to certain categories.

While there is no geographic limitation, practice and availability of funds has restricted most grants to the greater Kalamazoo area.

DIGITAL/ONLINE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

On-line applications will be accepted during the designated acceptance periods, April and August.  On-line in process applications may be saved for 30 days.  Instructions are provided on the following page.  Once submitted, no further changes can be made to an application.

  1. Include as follows:
    a. Cover letter,  submitted in PDF format (signed by authorized officer of organization)
    b. Completed Online Grant Application Form, click below (signed by authorized officer of organization)
    c. A list of officers and board of directors or trustees, submitted in PDF format (include occupations)
    d. A one-page budget for the amount requested, submitted in PDF format
    e. Current organization budget, submitted in PDF format
    f. Letters of support, if any, submitted in PDF format
    g. IRS letter confirming 501(c)(3) tax status, submitted in PDF format
    h. Most recent audited financial statement, submitted in PDF format
    i.  Organization’s nondiscrimination policy statement, submitted in PDF format (required)
  2. Please limit each upload to no more than 1mb, with no more than 12 scans total for A through F.

It is recommended that you frequently save an in process application by clicking on the Save and Continue button at the bottom of the form.  Any work not saved will be lost if the application closes.