Letter of Inquiry
Proposals
Eligibility
Restrictions
Grant Size
Deadlines

Letter of Inquiry

The first step in applying to the Jackson Foundation is to submit a letter of inquiry. Letters may be submitted at any time during the year as letters are reviewed on a continuous basis. If you do not receive notification of our receipt within one month of sending your letter, please feel free to contact the Jackson Foundation.

All letters are first reviewed to determine if the request falls within the Jackson Foundation's guidelines as outlined in this material. Those that do not are immediately declined. Letters that are within the guidelines are then reviewed to determine the following:

• the priority of the proposed activity within the Jackson Foundation's goals
• the impact of the potential results of the program or activities
• the availability of the Jackson Foundation's funds

Letters of inquiry should be no more than three pages and should include the following:

• a brief statement of the issues to be addressed, the history and goals of your organization, and your organization's involvement with these issues
• a brief summary of the activities for which you are requesting support, including an outline of your objectives, and anticipated outcomes and implications
• the approximate starting date and duration of the proposed activities
• the total amount of funding needed, the amount requested from the Jackson Foundation, and information about other sources of support, both assured and requested

Proposals

When a letter of inquiry reflects most closely the Jackson Foundation's program priorities, we will request a full proposal. Proposals should be submitted to the Jackson Foundation only upon request. Since the Jackson Foundation requests more proposals than it can fund, you should not interpret such a request as an indication of likely support. The Jackson Foundation accepts the common grant application form of the National Network of Grantmakers, which will be provided.

The Jackson Foundation's Board of Directors may request additional information in writing from applicants or consult with persons knowledgeable about the proposed program or activities. When practical, site visits will be done by at least two Board members of the Jackson Foundation.

Final decisions on proposals are made once a year by the Jackson Foundation's Board of Directors at the September Board Meeting. You will be informed of the Board's decision immediately following the Board meeting at which your proposal is discussed. If a grant is awarded, you will be asked to sign a Grant Agreement that lays out reporting and other requirements.

Eligibility

• The requesting organization must be a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization as indicated by Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All grant requests must be accompanied by a copy of the tax-exemption letter from the IRS indicating the organization as such.
• The requesting organization must provide the Jackson Foundation with a current audited financial report.

Restrictions

• The Jackson Foundation will not provide funds to support special events or endowments.
• The Jackson Foundation will not consider grants for individuals.
• The Jackson Foundation will not provide funds to lobby legislation or influence public opinion.
• The Jackson Foundation will not provide funds to service debt.
• The funds granted by the Jackson Foundation are to be used by the recipient within a period of one year after the date of the gift.
• The recipient of the funds granted will be required to provide the Jackson Foundation with a report of how the funds were used. This report is due within six months after the funds are utilized.
• The Jackson Foundation will not grant funds to the same organization more than five consecutive years.
• The grant shall not involve liability to the Jackson Foundation except to provide to amount of the grant.
• The grant shall not involve the establishment of a permanent foundation or trust or permanent interest-bearing account.

Grant Size

Individual grants will not exceed $10,000.00.

Deadlines

Grant requests will be considered on an annual basis. All proposals are to be received by April 30th and will be considered at a grant decision meeting in September.