FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.
What is the Marcled Foundation's grantmaking process?
The process usually begins when Marcled staff and/or board members contact nonprofit organizations of interest for a preliminary conversation about their work and how a grantmaking partnership might further their efforts. If the board then expresses a strong interest in the work, Marcled staff will contact the organization to invite a grant proposal. The Board of Trustees reviews these proposals and has the final decision regarding which organizations the Marcled Foundation will fund.
What is the timing of your grant cycles?
The Marcled Foundation has two grant cycles per year. The first takes place in the spring (usually April), and the second is in the fall (usually in October). When inviting a grant proposal, staff will notify applicants of submission deadlines. Typically applicants will have 4-8 weeks to prepare a grant request. Once a grant is approved, the grantee will usually receive the check within six weeks, depending on when the grant agreement is returned to the Marcled Foundation
Does the Foundation award grants or scholarships to individuals?
No. The Marcled Foundation only funds tax-exempt nonprofit organizations as described in the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
What is the Foundation's geographic service area?
The Marcled Foundation concentrates most of its giving in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, and the California Central Coast region. On occasion the Foundation funds programs outside these areas because they are doing vital work that advances our mission.
Does the Foundation award multi-year grants?
The Marcled Foundation most often makes grant awards on a yearly basis. Grants may be renewed if a director or staff member recommends additional funding. Factors often considered are the grantees’ ability to accomplish the work they set out to do and their ability to make program adjustments based on their own assessments. The Marcled Foundation may award a multi-year grant in special circumstances in which there are compelling reasons to do so.
Does the Foundation award general operating support as well as restricted program support?
Yes. The Marcled Foundation frequently provides general operating support to grantees. We recognize that general operating funds can be difficult to raise, and that those funds are necessary to support the core work of our grantees.
On your grant report, some of the grants you list do not fall into your grantmaking categories. Why is this?
The Marcled Foundation has a Trustee/Staff Discretionary Grant program which provides individual trustees and staff members with the opportunity to request a Foundation grant that is reflective of the individual’s own unique charitable interests. This comprises a small amount of the overall grantmaking budget.
