Step 6: APPLICATION PROCESS
Funding inquiries are welcome year-round. Cowell's Board of Directors meets regularly and reviews only those proposals recommended by staff.
Please note that it takes a minimum of three to six months for a grant request to develop from an initial letter of inquiry to a full proposal ready for review by Cowell's board.
The application process is rigorous, and prospective grantees should expect to work with Cowell staff before, during, and after a formal proposal is submitted. There are five steps to the process:
1. MAKE SURE THAT YOUR PROJECT MEETS FOUNDATION FUNDING CRITERIA
Time is precious to all of us. We do not want you to spend time pursuing an inquiry that will not be considered because it is outside the Foundation's current funding priorities.
2. CALL THE FOUNDATION
Before sending a letter or proposal to the Cowell Foundation, call our office at (415) 397-0285 and talk with a grants assistant about your project and its relationship to your community or neighborhood. Cowell staff will advise you on next steps. Be prepared to discuss:
- The nature of your organization, its role in the community and what it has achieved
- The project for which you are seeking funds, including specific outcomes you expect to achieve as a result
- A budget for the total project including all income and expenses and the status of income sources
- What it is like to live and work in the community, including descriptions of:
- Geography and demographic profile
- Poverty indicators such as free and reduced lunch rates at neighborhood elementary schools
- Opportunities for Cowell to make complementary grants in other program areas
3. IF ASKED TO DO SO , SUBMIT A LETTER OF INQUIRY
If staff sees a potential fit with Cowell's funding priorities and there are funds available, you will be asked to send a written letter of inquiry. In three or four pages, simply and briefly provide the following information:
- A description of your organization, its role in the community and what it has achieved
- A case for and a description of the project for which you are seeking funds including project rationale: why this project is needed, project goals, and key steps to achieve goals
- Amount requested, including a budget for the total project listing all income and expenses
- What it is like to live and work in the community, including:
- Geography and demographic profile
- Poverty indicators such as free and reduced lunch rates at neighborhood elementary schools
- Regional and local economics, including local employers
- Opportunities for Cowell to make complementary grants in other program areas
- Community strengths and challenges
4. IF ASKED TO DO SO , SUBMIT A FULL PROPOSAL
Please do not send a formal proposal unless a program officer requests one. If you are asked to submit a proposal, staff will give you a list of required information.
5. PLAN ON AT LEAST ONE SITE VISIT
During the inquiry process, Cowell staff will arrange at least one visit to get acquainted with your community; learn more about the proposed project; meet your board members, executive director and project staff; and hear from youth, residents, civic leaders, community agencies and educators in your community. For more information about the site visit, please review our initial site visit information.
