Foundation Grant Process
Step One: Look at Our Guidelines
The Staten Island Foundation focuses its funding in a number of key areas to make a positive impact on the lives of Staten Island residents. The Grant Investment Guidelines can be found here. Please read and review this information before you begin the application process. Reviewing our Outcomes-based Approach and Defining Project Results will also be helpful.
If you are not sure if you meet the criteria, the eligibility questions that are part of the on-line application will help you assess your proposal against the criteria. Please call us if you are uncertain that your application will meet our requirements.
Step Two: Call and Speak to a Staff Member
The Staten Island Foundation’s grantmaking is a process that includes a dialogue. That dialogue begins with a phone conversation that allows us to discuss current Foundation funding priorities, the appropriateness of the proposed request in relation to the current priorities, a timeline for making a request, and any outstanding reports required before another request can be considered.
Please contact us at 718-697-2831. A phone call will help potential applicants prepare strong proposals or know when requests do not meet Foundation requirements.
Step Three: Creating an On-line Account and Registration
An account includes a User ID and a password. To start a new account, open your exisiting account, or return to an application in progress click here.
Once you have established an account please make a record for your files of your User ID and password. The Foundation does not have access to IDs and passwords.
Step Four: Grant Eligibility
In order to proceed with an online grant application, eligibility questions must be answered. Feel free to call to discuss your proposal with Foundation staff should you be unable to proceed with an application.
Step Five: Applications and Deadlines
The Foundation currently has three distinct applications: Direct Services, Capacity Building and Capital Improvements. Please contact Foundation staff regarding any application deadlines. Complete and submit the application online. The Foundation will review each submitted application, evaluate the project for alignment with Foundation focus areas and results and determine if it is complete enough to move forward. If you do not have adequate technology resources to complete the application or are having difficulty, please call 718-697-2831.
Click here for our Direct Service Application.
Click here for our Capacity Building Application.
Click here for our Capital Improvements Application.
You will need to attach a budget form for the funding request as well as the supplemental financial form and a cover letter signed by the chief executive.
Step Six: Notification of Receipt
Applicants will receive an email notification within approximately 1-2 weeks of receipt of the application. If you have not received notification of receipt please contact the Foundation. Those organizations or proposals that do not qualify will receive a declination email.
Step Seven: Review Process
As stated previously, The Foundation’s review process is a dialogue that does not end with the submission of the application. The process may include a site visit or requests for additional information. Only complete applications are eligible for final review.
The Foundation Board makes grant decisions at quarterly Board meetings (usually held in January, April, June, And October). Grant decisions are shared promptly.
Step Eight: Grant Agreements
Organizations that are approved for a Foundation grant receive a grant agreement letter. This agreement, which outlines the requirements, must be signed by the chief executive and returned to the Foundation before a check can be forwarded. In cases where the amount of the grant differs from the request made, a revised grant expense budget must be submitted.
Step Nine: Declined Proposals
Organizations receiving declinations can call the Foundation to discuss the reasons as well as proposal or project areas that may need to be strengthened. This can assist the applicant in developing stronger applications to other funding sources as well as to The Staten Island Foundation.
Step Ten: Administration and Reports
Should your organization be unable to proceed with the activities outlined in the grant agreement, please inform The Foundation as soon as possible.
The Staten Island Foundation requires grant recipients to submit an online six month progress report as well as an online report upon completion of the grant period.
Final reports will demonstrate outcomes anticipated in the original proposal that have been achieved and what has been learned. The evidence that has been used to verify the actual outcomes should be available upon request. An accounting of the expenditure of funds is required. In cases where the anticipated outcomes have not been achieved or unexpected circumstances arose, please explain. A final report must be received for future funding to be considered.