Apply For A Grant

The First Step

When requesting a grant from the Downing Foundation, make sure your request falls within the eligibility guidelines listed on the About The Foundation page. If it does, you are invited to submit an online letter of inquiry below.

Make sure you have the following information ready when submitting your letter:

1. All the information found on the organization’s formal letterhead
2. A brief description of the organization, its major projects and achievements
3. A brief description of the problem the organization seeks to address and how it will make an impact
4. An estimate of the cost of the entire project, including the specific amount requested from the Downing Foundation
5. Requestor’s name, title, phone number and e-mail address

Submit A Letter Of Inquiry

Reviews

Requests are reviewed quarterly (if not sooner); deadlines for letters of inquiry are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Requests received in the first quarter will be awarded in the second quarter; those received the second quarter will be awarded the third, and so on.

If a funding request is denied, the foundation will notify the applicant immediately by letter or e-mail and the request will receive no further consideration during that calendar year.

Approved funding requests will receive written notification by mail or e-mail following the review process.

Accepted Funding Requests

If your organization’s request is selected for funding you may be asked to submit a formal application, proposal, a budget, and quarterly reports. The forms for these reports will be made available to you electronically.

"No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another." ~Charles Dickens