Grant Guidelines
Grant Information
The Foundation makes grants only to tax-exempt organizations with 501(c)(3) classifications from the Internal Revenue Service including educational institutions, and qualified government units.
The Foundation will not consider requests for general fundraising, deficit financing, grants or scholarships to individuals or loans. The Foundation also does not make grants for research projects or give support to conferences, seminars, media events or workshops unless they are an integral part of a broader program. The Foundation will not provide funding to pay for operating and/or administrative expenses including, but not limited to rent, utilities, salaries, fringe benefits, office furniture, and computer equipment utilized for administrative record keeping, etc.
The Foundation may grant support for several years. Funding commitments, however, are generally made on a year-to-year basis. The Foundation generally does not provide additional funding to an organization until the completion of the organization's previous funding cycle (one year after receipt of a grant). Exceptions may be made in the case of emergency assistance.
Application Request
The first step in applying to the Foundation is a short letter of intent. We review letters on a continuous basis, and they may be submitted any time during the year. After we review your inquiry, we will contact you as to the next step in the application process.
We will acknowledge the receipt of all letters of intent. If you do not receive an acknowledgement within one month of sending your letter, please feel free to contact us.
Letter of Intent
Letters of intent should include the following:
- a brief statement of the history, mission, and goals of your organization.
- a brief summary of the activities for which you are requesting support.
- the amount requested from the Foundation.
Full Application
When a letter of intent reflects most closely the Foundation's program priorities, we will ask you to complete the Larson Foundation Grant Application. This should not be interpreted as an indication of likely support as the Foundation receives more applications than it can fund.
*Applications should be submitted to the Foundation only upon request.
At present time, we are not accepting applications through our website. Application deadlines are September 1 and March 1 of each year. You will be informed of the Board's decision in May or November following the board meeting in which your application was discussed. If a grant is awarded, you will be asked to sign a Grant Agreement that defines the progress reporting and other requirements.
Completed Application forms must include:
- Documentation of tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3).
- Seven copies of the proposal.
- Names of your organization's Administrative Staff and Board of Directors.
- Qualifications of Staff responsible for project.
Evaluation
Generally, the board evaluates applications based on the following:
- Need for program in community it serves.
- Impact on those who will benefit from the request, as well as the number of people who will be served.
- Impact of request on organization requesting it.
- Soundness of organization and its financial management.
- Continued support after involvement of Foundation.
- Accuracy and completeness of application.
- Level of volunteer support at organization, including board support.
Preference will be given to programs which will help those who are economically disadvantaged. The Foundation also will give preference to those projects which may require or encourage involvement by recipients to help others in need. The Foundation believes these projects multiply the positive effect of Foundation grants.
The Foundation supports organizations that offer services to all individuals regardless of race, creed, color, gender, disability, sexual orientation or national origin. Organizations must be non-sectarian. A religiously affiliated group may operate a program, but participation must be open to anyone and be non-discriminatory. The Foundation also looks favorably upon organizations that have identified multiple sources of funding. However, the Foundation does take into consideration that these sources may not be available to an organization, depending upon the situation.
Progress Report
Click here to download a copy of the Progress Report. Please fill out and send the completed form to mlarson@larsondoors.com