Before applying, please be sure to read the About Us page of this web site to gain a sense of the Foundation’s areas of interest. Organizations that have never received a grant from the Fowler Foundation are strongly encouraged to contact the Foundation for guidance on the process before submitting an application.
GEOGRAPHIC FOCUS & LIMITATIONS
The Foundation awards grants to organizations headquartered in and providing services for residents of Washington, DC, and its abutting Maryland & Virginia suburbs
The Foundation prefers not to award grants to individuals, national health organizations, government agencies or public school/charters. It does not fund medical research or the arts, except for intensive arts-in-education programs that directly benefit at-risk children and youth. It does not sponsor events.
The Fowler Foundation accepts electronic applications which can be accessed through the link at the bottom of this page.
A proposal package is required to include and will not be considered without the following:
- A copy of the organization’s IRS determination letter
- Financial statements, i.e., balance sheet, income statements, audit; if the organization does not have this information, explain why and provide the latest Form 990. In cases of organizations with budgets in excess of $500,000, the Foundation looks for an audit or a review by an outside source
- A current operating budget, including income source
- A project or capital budget, if appropriate
- A board of trustees list
- Resumes of key staff
- A concise (three-four page) narrative requesting general operating support or describing the project for which funding is sought and the need for it. There also should be a brief statement (three-four pages) regarding the history of the organization, its purposes, current activities and evidence of its effectiveness, with their affiliations. Examples are:
- What community need do you serve?
- How do you fill a need that is not met by others or differently?
- How does your programming contribute to impact in the community you serve? We realize impact is measured in vastly different ways across philanthropic community. How do you measure the impact your programming contributes to the community you serve?
- How is your organization thinking about racial equity?
- How does your organization collaborate with others? (i.e. Do you have any partnerships that allow you to serve your target community?)
Proposals should be signed by the applicant’s executive director or CEO.
Incomplete proposals will not be accepted.
There are no deadlines. Applications are processed in the order received. An acknowledgement will be sent upon receipt of an application. Do not submit letters of inquiry; succinctly written proposals are the best way to explain your program. The Foundation makes occasional site visits, but must limit them as it has only one full-time staff person. The Board of Trustees meets monthly to discuss and vote upon applications. Depending upon the volume of requests, it may take up to six months for an application to reach the Board. Declined applicants will receive an email and may not reapply until at least 12 months after the declination date. Declined applicants may email Suzie Loungeway, the Director of Grants, to set up a call to discuss the reasons for declination and to inquire about the suitability of reapplying in the future. Grantees may not apply for a new grant until at least 12 months after receipt of an award and until a final report has been submitted.
Should you have questions not answered here, you can use our CONTACT US page to send us a message or leave a telephone message at (703) 214-2266.
RETURNING APPLICANTS
PLEASE REVIEW YOUR ORGANIZATION PROFILE PAGE AND MAKE SURE THE MAILING ADDRESS AND PRIMARY CONTACT INFORMATION ARE UP TO DATE AND CORRECT.
Out of date addresses cause significant delays or lost grant checks. Thank you.