PROSPECTIVE DONORS FOR TRIO ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS

 Introduction | eBay Foundation | Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 

| Additional Grant Resources | Additional Web Resources

The information regarding individual donor resources is not guaranteed to be accurate or up-to-date.  You will need to consult the foundation for any changes.

Introduction

This chapter addresses alternative funding sources for TRIO organizations and programs.  Since primary funding is solely based on annual membership fees, the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) Class of 2000 sought donors who could subsidize operating costs and enhance development of MAEOPP. The ELI Class of 2000 sought donors whose mission statements were consistent with that of MAEOPP�s and also those who have a history of giving to non-profit organizations.  The following chapter will highlight two prospective donor organizations in detail, summarize additional prospective donor organizations, and conclude with a listing of grant resources available via the World Wide Web.

eBay Foundation

eBay is the worldwide leader in person to person trading over the Internet. The eBay Foundation was established in June 1998 on the principles of community and exchange of information and the basic principle that people are honest and trustworthy.  The eBay foundation helps to facilitate change and help people improve their lives and communities by linking people with common goals.

 This is evidenced by their foundation�s statement, which says:

�We the eBay Foundation, are unique, passionate, and eclectic.  We reflect the values and community orientation of eBay.  We support organizations that provide tools, hope, and direction to those who seek new skills. In addition we support organizations that have long term implications, and maximize the ability to do well in the world�.

The eBay foundation makes effective charitable gifts and grants to a wide range of non-profit organizations that utilize technology to empower individuals, particularly programs, which integrate the use of the Internet. The foundation�s areas of interest range from child-based activities--education, mentoring, and esteem-building programs to adult based activity such as education, job training, and volunteerism.  The eBay foundation also has interests in community based activities such as economic revitalization or community improvement, as well as environmental issues which have a global impact.  Eligibility requirements for each of the four areas of interest vary and are detailed below.

 Eligibility Requirements

Organizations must hold tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c) (3), demonstrate leverage of existing resources, and be willing to foster collaborations by various organizations to achieve greater impact.  In addition, program overhead expenses must not exceed twenty-five percent of the total operating budget, the activity must empower individuals to improve their lives, and benefit the local community at large. Lastly, organizations must be unique and creative and make a significant positive, long-term impact on the population served.

  Proposal Submission

Organizations who focus on child-based activities may apply in June for a July award.  Organizations whose focus is that of adult or community based activities may apply in September for an October awards and December for a January award respectively.   Organizations that focus on issues with a global impact may apply in March for an April award.  

Interested organizations may request a grant application only during the cycle in which the organization, program, and project fits the particular funding focus. Requests should be no more than 50 words, thoroughly explain the organization�s mission statement and how the mission statement fits with the eBay Foundations guidelines, and explain how the money will be utilized. Requests can be e-mailed to [email protected].   Organizations that best fit eBay guidelines will be sent a formal grant application and invited to apply.

The proposal deadline for each round is the 15^th day of the month prior to funding.  Grant amounts range between $5,000 and $25,000 and are based on the number of applications that are received and meet guiding principles and funding focus.  In addition, application review takes a minimum of 45 days from application deadline.  

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill and Melinda Gates began the Gates as an effort to help improve the lives of people through health and learning.

The Gates Foundation�s mission is:

To continue to look for strategic opportunities to extend the benefits of modern science and technology to people around the world, especially where poverty serves as an obstacle to participating in these benefits.  As in the past, we will invest in partnerships with individuals and organizations that bring experience, expertise and commitment to their own efforts to help people through better health and learning.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation educational programs reflect a three -prong investment strategy:

(1)   Develop district and classroom leadership

(2)   Encourage development of high achievement models, and perhaps most importantly

(3)   Remove financial barriers of higher education for minority scholars.  This is demonstrated by the creation of the Gates Millennium Scholars Program. 

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program is aimed at expanding access and opportunity to higher education to those citizens who will help reflect the diverse society in which we live.  The foundations seek to increase the number of underrepresented students (African-Americans, Native-Americans, Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific-Americans, and Hispanic-Americans) enrolling in and completing undergraduate and graduate degree programs.  Individuals with academic promise, unmet financial need, and demonstrated leadership are eligible for renewable awards.  The United Negro College Fund administers the program in partnership with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund and the American Indian College Fund.

Eligibility Requirements

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation seeks to be strategic with its resources favoring, preventative approaches and collaborative endeavors with government, philanthropic, and non-profit partners. Organizations must hold tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501 (c)(3) and demonstrate activity and mission of a charitable organization.  In addition, the activity must empower individuals to improve their lives in areas of global health and education.  Organizations whose requests fall within the program guidelines

(see www.gatesfoundation.org/about/granting.htm) must also submit a letter of inquiry no more than two pages in length which contains the organizations objectives, goals, and purpose.  Letters will also need to include information that will highlight how the organization will achieve their goals, funding needs of the organization, and other pertinent information.    Organizations must submit a letter of inquiry first, as the foundation doesn�t encourage nor consider unsolicited proposals. Interested organizations may contact the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Educational Programs, Grants Inquiry Coordinator, P.O. Box 23350, Seattle, Washington 98102.  Organizations may e-mail inquiries to [email protected].

  Proposal Submission

After reviewing all letters of inquiry, the Foundation may invite those organizations whose objectives fall within the scope and mission of available funding to submit a proposal.

Additional Grant Resources

The AT&T Foundation

The AT&T Foundation seeks to educate, enrich, engage, and empower the communities served by AT&T. The foundation gives cash grants to non-profit organizations for innovative programs that focus on helping people achieve self-sufficiency and lead productive lives.

The foundation generally distributes funds in cities and regions with large concentrations of AT&T. employees.  In addition, the AT & T foundation makes grants to tax-exempt, non-profit organizations as defined under Section 501 (c) (3).  Funds are typically distributed through invitational programs to specific projects that fit within the foundation�s guidelines (see www.att.com/foundation/guidelines.html).  If an organization submits an unsolicited proposal, they must attach a brief letter of introduction along with a description of the organization to: Secretary, AT & T Foundation, 32 Avenue of the Americas, 4^th Floor, New York, NY 10013.

John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation established in 1950, is dedicated to furthering the Knight brothers ideals of service to the community.  The foundation provides funding in various areas of interest including arts and culture, community initiatives, and education.

The arts & culture component provides support in six designated areas of interest which includes museums, symphonic and operatic music, theater, dance and historic preservation. The Community Initiatives Program gives local grants to improve the quality of life in the Foundation�s 26 communities of interest, including several in the MAEOPP region. The Foundation considers requests from a number of community organizations, as well as institutions and seeks to make strategic grants that have community wide impact.

The Education Program emphasizes collaboration for K-16 education reform and each year a number of grants support national organizations providing leadership in addressing critical issues in education.

The Knight Foundation does not have a deadline for submitting proposals.  The foundation accepts proposals throughout the year and they are reviewed on a rolling basis and are then scheduled for board review.  The typical timeframe is at least six months between submission and board review.

Additional information can be found by contacting the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, One Biscayne Tower, Suite 3800, S. Biscayne Blvd, Miami, FL 33131-1803.

Organizations may also call (305) 908-2600.  Please note that for the various interest areas (i.e. community, education, arts & culture), there are different contact persons.  Please visit www.knightfdn.org for this information.

Bank of America Foundation

The Bank of America Foundation contributes financial assistance to non-profit institutions and organizations that enhance the quality of life and promote public interest in the areas where the company conducts business.  The foundation is committed to diversity, improving local communities, and assisting low-income populations; all of which are hallmarks of MAEOPP.

The Bank of America Foundation considers charitable requests from non-profit organizations in geographic areas where the company has a business presence.  Grant funding ranges from $1,000 to $250,000 and is available in the areas of art/culture, community development, education or human resources.  The support is a cash donation for single year funding.  Typical grants range from $1,000 - $7,500.  Additional information regarding the Bank of America Foundation can be found at www.bankofamerica.com/foundation/index.

Eli Lilly and Company Foundation

Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, organized in 1968, is the major source of the company�s support for non-profit organizations. It was established to formally recognize the company�s stance on charitable commitments.  Eli Lily and Company Foundation supports organizations through product donations, matching gifts, and discretionary gifts.

Cash contributions from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation are strategically focused within two broad categories.  Sixty percent of the funds are allocated for non-profit groups aligned with company interests such as public policy research, health and human service interests, and academic relations.   The remaining 40 percent are allotted to Indianapolis and several other communities where Lilly has a broad employee base.  The community aligned giving focuses on culture, education and youth development, diversity, and community development.  Requests for support from the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation can be made throughout the year, however are only reviewed two times a year.  The qualifying requests received between January 1 and June 30 are reviewed in the third quarter, selected for payment, and funds are dispersed in the fourth quarter.  Qualifying requests received between July 1 and December 31 are reviewed in the first quarter, selected for payment, and funds are dispersed in the second quarter.

To apply for support, interested organizations should submit a written proposal to Thomas King, President, Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Lilly Corporate Center D.C. 1627, Indianapolis, IN 46285.  For information on what the contents of the proposal should contain or additional information please visit http://www.lilly.com/about/community/foundation/cash/apply.html.

Additional Web Resources

http://www.akroncommunityfdn.org

www.medtronic.com/foundation

www.fdncenter.org/grantmaker/bremer/sum98

http://www.carnegie.org/

http://www.jcdowning.org/

http://www.fund.daimlerchrysler

www.wkkf.org/HowToApply/default.asp.

www3.sprint.com/sprint/overview/commun.html

www.gundfdn.org

www.bader.org

www.murf.org

www.amerus.com

www.detroitedison.com/discover/community/foundation/html

www.kresge.org

http://fdncenter.org/index.html

http://www.cargill.com/commun/grantmk.htm

http://www3.stpaul.com/static/index.htm

www.edexcellence.net

http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/bingham