Connecting
The Competitive Grant Application Process
Eligible organizations that wish to apply for a grant from the Jessie Ball duPont Fund first must:
- Establish contact with the Fund's program staff;
- Prepare a preliminary proposal following the Preliminary Proposal Narrative Outline;
- Submit a completed application form and financial statement or audit, as listed in Required Attachments section of the proposal outline.
The trustees will review the written preliminary proposal and will either invite the organization to submit a final proposal for review or decline the preliminary request. The Fund's program staff will contact the eligible organization to discuss the trustees' decision.
If the trustees invite the eligible organization to submit a final proposal for review, the organization will be asked to submit:
- A cover letter replying to the questions or concerns raised by the trustees during the preliminary review of the proposal;
- A list of the eligible organization's current governing board members;
- Additional materials such as letters of support, articles, résumés, job descriptions, etc., if these materials serve to strengthen or clarify the proposal.
When to Apply
After establishing contact with the Fund's program staff, eligible organizations may submit written preliminary proposals at any time throughout the year. The trustees review preliminary proposals during trustee conference calls, held in March, April, June, July, September, October, and December, and trustee grants meetings, held in February, May, August, and November.