For its Fall, 2014 cycle, the Foundation is doing something different: Instead of funding a specific focus (such as literacy or animal welfare), and giving out multiple grants to a variety of organizations, the Foundation will award one organization the lump sum of $50,000.
The Foundation wants to make sure this money is given to the organization that will be able to put this large grant award to the best use. In order to do this, we will be breaking the application process down into two steps.
Step One: Fill out a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and submit it to the Foundation no later than Friday, August 29. The Letter of Inquiry contains questions about your proposed project and the budget for this project. This Letter of Inquiry can be accessed online through our website under the Apply page tab, or you can request a copy either emailed or snail mailed to you by emailing tcowenhoven@bakersfield.com or calling (661) 395-7290. The Letter of Inquiry is also posted below.
Step Two: If we are intrigued by your Letter of Inquiry, you will be invited to apply and will need to submit a completed application. We will contact you on Monday, September 15 and invite you to fill out an application. That application is due Friday, October 17.
The Foundation’s Board will meet, as usual, in November, to review the applications and decide which organization and project will be awarded $50,000.
Tips:
• The Foundation would prefer to fund a capital project or large purchase rather than operating expenses (such as salaries, etc).
• The budget is one of the major factors in our decision-making — the more detailed the information, the better.
• In an effort not to overburden applicants, the Foundation has tried to keep these initial questions to a minimum. If we have further questions, we will contact you.
Good luck!
$50,000 Fall 2014 Letter of Inquiry
Name of Organization__________________________________
Proposed Project ______________________________________
Mailing Address: P. O. Box or Street_________________________
City_________________State ______ Zip__________________
Contact Person__________________Title__________________
Phone Number ______________ Email Address______________
Website Address, if applicable____________________________
• Briefly describe the proposed project. In particular, please discuss how the $50,000 grant award will be utilized.
• How does the proposed project reflect the organization’s mission/core values?
• Please describe how the success of the proposed project will be measured.
• List any other funding sources and in-kind contributions that the project currently has or will attract.
• Please attach/include a detailed budget of the proposed project and a copy of your organization’s 501(c)3 form.
All information in this application is accurate and the facts reflect the organization and/or project I represent.
_____________________________________
Signature & Title
Bakersfield Californian Foundation 