Grant Guidelines and Application Procedures

GENERAL GUIDELINES

The Weingart Foundation's primary area of interest in grant making is to assist credible agencies and institutions serving children and youth in the Southern California area. Grant requests from such credible agencies or institutions will be entertained both for programs and for capital expenditures. The Foundation Board of Directors will determine final action.

A secondary area of interest lies in supporting those agencies and institutions providing services that benefit the entire community regardless of age or other factors.

Preferential attention will be given to the support of well conceived experimental or demonstration projects that promise significant positive results and are likely to produce long-term multiplier effects.

Grants are usually awarded for a limited period of time. Some grants may be paid over a multi-year period; however, the Foundation generally does not approve grants to any organization on a continuing annual basis. Preference is given to organizations providing services in Southern California. The Foundation expects all applicant organizations to show substantial support from internal sources as well as other outside sources.

SAN DIEGO & IMPERIAL COUNTIES REQUESTS

Grants for agencies providing services in San Diego and Imperial Counties are funded by the Weingart-Price Fund administrated by The San Diego Foundation. All communications with respect to grants in San Diego & Imperial Counties should be directed to the Weingart-Price Fund, The San Diego Foundation, 1420 Kettner Blvd. Suite 500, San Diego, California 92101. Phone 619-235-2300.

QUALIFICATIONS AND PROGRAM LIMITATIONS

Applicant organization must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

Grants are not made:
  • For propagandizing, influencing legislation and/or elections, promoting voter registration; for political candidates, political campaigns or organizations engaged in political activities.
  • To individuals.
  • To federated appeals or to organizations that collect funds for redistribution to other nonprofit groups.
  • For religious institutions limiting services to only one sect or denomination.
  • For medical research.
Grants generally are not approved:
  • For regular, ongoing, operating support.
  • For contingencies, deficits or debt reduction.
  • For endowment funds.
  • For national organizations, including requests from local chapters.
  • For support of agencies that are primarily financed from government sources.
  • For conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibits, travel, surveys, films or publishing activities.
  • For refugee or religious programs, consumer interests or the environment.
Regrettably, the available grant funds permit a favorable response to only a limited number of requests. Lack of approval should not be considered a reflection upon the merits of a proposal.

GRANT APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The Foundation accepts and processes applications for grants throughout the year.

A qualified organization that believes it meets the Foundation's criteria for a grant should first submit a brief, to-the-point "test letter". This letter should contain a concise statement of the need for funds, the amount sought, and enough factual information to enable the Foundation to determine its initial response. Three copies are required.

One copy of any supporting data that applicant selects may accompany the test letter.

If it is determined from the test letter that the program or project meets the Foundation's interests and priorities, the applicant will be provided with the instructions and forms required to prepare and submit a formal application.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE FOUNDATION

Communication with individual directors is discouraged. However, inquiries to the Foundation are always welcome, and the test letter is the preferred means of initial contact.

The Foundation Board reviews and passes upon all grant applications. In most cases, applicants will receive an answer within three months. Occasionally, final action will be deferred. Each applicant is notified promptly as soon as a decision has been made.

All communications with respect to grants should be directed to the President, Weingart Foundation, 1055 W. Seventh Street, Suite 3050, Los Angeles, California 90017-2305.



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