GRANT GUIDELINES. The Foundation awards approximately 50 grants annually, ranging in size from $10,000 to $150,000. In 2009 the average grant awarded was approximately $27,000. In addition, the Foundation through its Donor Advised Fund awards approximately 50 grants each year, ranging in size from $100-9,950. Approximately one-third of the Foundation’s grants go to new recipients each year.
THE MARCLED FOUNDATION DOES NOT CONSIDER UNINVITED PROPOSALS.The Foundation's grant-making is organized into three categories:
Focus AreasEach year the board identifies 2-4 focus areas. 2010 focus areas include:
Social Services/Safety Net Organizations:
- Barriers to Success
- Food Banks
- Legal Services
- Youth Programs
Health and Wellness:
- Childhood Obesity
- Medical Access/Services
- Medical Research
Board and Staff Initiated Grants
A portion of the Foundation's grants are awarded to organizations the board identifies fall outside the current "focus areas", but match the Foundation's interests. Often these grants include program areas that later develop into focus areas.
GRANTMAKING PROCESS.
The process usually begins when Foundation 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, Foundation 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 Foundation will fund.
The Marcled Foundation greatly appreciates the important work in which nonprofit organizations are engaged, and the board does not want the staff of these organizations to spend considerable time and resources preparing materials for the Foundation unless there is a clear possibility of working together.
