-  YOUR IDEAS WANTED!

-  TIPS: COMPLETING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

PROFILE: THE COMMONWEALTH FUND

Anna M. Harkness established the Fund in 1918 with the broad charge to enhance the common good. Anna was the widow of Stephen Harkness, a successful businessman, who invested in the Standard Oil Company. The Fund seeks to help Americans live healthy and productive lives and to assist specific groups with serious and neglected problems. The Fund supports the following areas:

# Improving health care services
# Bettering the health of minority Americans
# Advancing the well-being of the elderly
# Developing the capacities of children and youth

All national projects should emphasize prevention and promote healthy behavior. The Fundıs international program in health policy seeks to build a network of policy-oriented health-care researchers whose multinational experience and outlook stimulate innovative policies and practices in the United States and other industrialized countries. In its own community, the Fund targets its grantmaking toward improving public spaces and services.

Applicants should submit a letter that briefly describes the proposed area of work, the importance of the problem to be addressed, and the strategies to be employed. Letters are acknowledged when received, and recommended proposals are voted on by the board of directors, which meets in April, July, and November. Contact: Andrea Landes, Director of Grants, The Commonwealth Fund, 1 East 75th St., New York NY 10021. Web site: http://www.cmwf.org.

1) ARTS

BLAKEMORE FOUNDATION. 01/15/03. The Foundation's primary areas of interest are Asian languages and fine arts. Its goal is to support programs and activities that improve the understanding of Asian fine arts in the United States. The Foundation defines fine arts as plastic and graphic arts, ceramics, sculpture, and textiles. Types of support include programs, exhibits, and publications. Contact: Griffith Way, Blakemore Foundation, 1201 Third Ave., 28th Floor, Seattle WA 98101-3266. Ph: (206) 583-8778. Fax: (206) 583-8500. E-mail: blakemore@perkinscoie.com. Web site: www.blakemorefoundation.org.  

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS. 10/01/01. The NEA offers guidelines for its Folk and Traditional Arts Infrastructure Initiative, designed to strengthen the state and regional infrastructure of support for folk and traditional arts. Priority will be given to projects with the greatest impact in expanding or strengthening support and those with potential for long-term artistic impact. For fiscal year 2002, the Initiative will support up to 12 start-up folk arts positions at local arts agencies and community-based cultural organizations. Priority will be given to professional folk arts positions that address the needs of previously underserved geographic or cultural communities. Positions should have the potential to be self-supporting within three years. Guidelines and application forms are available on the Endowment's Web site. Contact: NEA Folk and Traditional Arts Staff, National Endowment for the Arts, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington DC 20506. Ph: (202) 682-5678. Fax: (202) 682-5726. 
Web site: http://www.nea.gov/guide/Folk02/Folkindex.html.

2) EDUCATION

GEOGRAPHIC EDUCATION NATIONAL IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT. 09/01/01. The Project awards grants to improve the status and quality of geographic education in grades K-12. Proposed projects must be designed to serve as models for change; have significance beyond the local community; and contain an explicit plan for dissemination and diffusion to the regional and national community of geographic educators. The Project is particularly interested in providing seed or development grants. For complete application information, visit the Web site. Contact: Sarah Witham Bednarz, Geographic Education National Implementation Project, c/o Association of American Geographers, 1710 Sixteenth St. NW, Washington DC 20009-3198. Web site: http://genip.tamu.edu/.  

CORNING FOUNDATION. Open. The Foundation develops and administers programs in support of educational, cultural, community, and selected national organizations. In addition, the Foundation has a keen interest in higher education, particularly as it relates to building a more highly skilled workforce. Each year, the Foundation fulfills approximately 225 grants totaling some $2.25 million. All requests must be made in writing. Grant seekers are advised to submit a two- to three-page letter of inquiry, signed by the senior administrative officer of the organization. Contact: Mrs. Kristin A. Swain, President, Corning Incorporated Foundation, MP-LB-02, Corning NY 14831. 
Web site: http://www.corning.com/inside_corning/foundation.asp.  

3) ENVIRONMENT 

STEVEN AND MICHELE KIRSCH FOUNDATION. 02/28/02. The Foundation seeks to invest in causes where high-impact activities can result in a safer and healthier world. Of particular interest are programs that reduce pollution from mobile sources, support the development and use of alternative and clean fuel technologies, eliminate dependence on diesel fuel, and eradicate global warming.  The Foundation's environmental grants fund organizations with a track record of effectiveness and those that have focused on collaborative efforts or partnerships with business and/or government entities to address major, long-term problems. The Foundation gives strong preference to funding environmental organizations that have a substantial presence in California and/or those that address issues that impact California and its residents.  Grants range from $10,000 to $25,000. The Foundation accepts inquiries and proposals only via e-mail. Contact: Steven and Michele Kirsch Foundation, 60 S. Market St., Suite 1000, San Jose CA 95113-2336. Ph: (408) 278-2278. Fax: (408) 278-0280. E-mail: questions@kirschfoundation.org. 
Web site: http://www.kirschfoundation.org.  

WEEDEN FOUNDATION. 01/12/02. The Foundation's goal is to address the adverse impact of the growing human population and the overuse of natural resources on the planet's biology. The Foundation's priority is
biodiversity. Projects focusing on population growth and over-consumption are also of interest. Proposed projects should protect ecosystems and wildlife or raise the status of women and increase awareness about family planning. The Foundation awards general operating, seed, and project or program grants. Applicants are asked to submit a letter of inquiry first.  Grants range from $10,000 to $30,000.  Contact: James Sheldon, Executive Director, Weeden Foundation, 747 Third Ave., 34th Floor, New York NY 10017.
Ph: (212) 888-1672. Fax: (212) 888-1354.  
E-mail: weedenfdn@weedenfdn.org.  
Web site: http://www.weedenfdn.org.

4) GENERAL

ORACLE CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS. 12/01/01. The Corporation awards grants for medical research in the areas of cancer, AIDS and neuroscience, endangered animal protection, environmental protection (specifically for education and preservation of open space), and K-12 education (with emphasis on mathematics, science and technology). Grants are awarded in February and August. Contact: Corporate Giving, Oracle Corporation, 500 Oracle Parkway, MS 50P11, Redwood Shores CA 94065. Ph: (650) 506-7000. Fax: (650) 506-7200. 
E-mail: giving@us.oracle.com. 
Web site: http://www.oracle.com/corporate/giving/index.html.

AMR/AMERICAN AIRLINES FOUNDATION. Open. The Foundation works to help meet the needs of organizations in the communities that the airline serves, especially the hub cities of Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, Miami and San Juan. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the following areas: community development, arts and culture, education, and health and welfare. Proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis and grants are awarded throughout the year. Contact: AMR/American Airlines Foundation, PO Box 619616, M.D. 5575, Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, TX 75261-9616. Ph: (817) 967-3545. Fax: (817) 967-9784. 
Web site: http://www.ual.com.

5) HEALTH

PEARLE VISION FOUNDATION. 12/31/01. The Foundation supports organizations that provide vision care to individuals in financial hardship. The Foundation also funds vision-related causes, such as educational programs, vision-related research, and programs that improve the quality of life for the visually impaired. Projects that focus on eye exam and eyeglass testing, eye surgery, vision-related research and equipment for testing, and improving vision are also considered for funding. Contact: Trina Parasiliti, Administrator, Pearle Vision Foundation, PO Box 227175, Dallas TX 75222. Ph: (972) 277-6191. Fax: (972) 277-5798. Web site: http://www.pearlevision.com.

PHARMACIA FOUNDATION. Open. The Foundation focuses its charitable giving in the areas of healthcare, education, and local civic needs in communities where employees and their families live and work. The majority of grants in education focus on science and technical fields. Healthcare grants generally reflect areas of health concerns where the company has expertise such as oncology, central nervous system diseases, ophthalmology, and women's health. Civic needs are supported when appropriate at local sites. Pharmacia contributes substantial quantities of medication for disaster relief. A preliminary application for assessment is required before submitting a full proposal. Contact: Director, Community Relations and Contributions Programs, Pharmacia Corporation, 100 Route 206 North, Peapack, NJ 07977. Ph: (908) 901-8766. Fax: (908) 901-1839. 
E-mail: contribute.int@am.pnu.com. 
Web site: http://www.pnu.com/about/grants.asp

6) REGIONAL

UNITED AIRLINES FOUNDATION. Open. The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the airline and concentrates the majority of its resources in United's six hubs: Chicago, Denver, San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC. Its grantmaking is focused on the following areas: education, health, arts and culture, volunteerism, and diversity. E-mail proposals are acceptable. Contact: Caryn Cross, Manager-Contributions, United Airlines - WHQPR, PO Box 66100, Chicago IL 60666. 
E-mail: Community.Support@ual.com. 
Web site: http://www.ual.com.

CON AGRA FOUNDATION. 01/31/02. The Foundation supports projects of U.S.-based nonprofits with an international focus in the areas of education, health and human services, arts and culture, and civic and community betterment in communities where the company operates. Support is given to projects that address specific community needs and suggest solutions designed to meet those needs. Of interest are organizations or projects seeking self-support or broad-based community support as their ultimate goal and well-managed organizations staffed and supervised by people who are adept at stating goals, selecting measurements, and setting and meeting deadlines. In some cases, ConAgra operating companies match ConAgra Foundation contributions in their communities. Requests for funding should be written; no phone or fax requests will be accepted. Eligible organizations must have been in existence for at least one year and be located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska or Wisconsin. Grants range from $500 to $50,000. Contact: Lynne Phares, Corporate Relations Department, CC-303, ConAgra Foundation, 1 ConAgra Drive, Omaha NE 68102-5001. Ph: (402) 595-4687.

7) RELIGIOUS

HUMANITAS FOUNDATION. 01/30/02. The Foundation primarily funds programs sponsored by organizations of the Roman Catholic Church. Of particular interest are programs that address pastoral renewal of the church, including proposals for activities related to ministerial training, continuing education, pastoral planning, spirituality, leadership development, evangelization, diocesan organization, and ministry among ethnic and racial minorities. Also of interest are proposals that provide a direct service to low-income people, for example, social outreach, shelter, child care, job training, health and pastoral care, substance abuse, counseling, homelessness, hunger, refugee services, and the family life of those in poverty. The Foundation supports projects that offer promising innovative approaches to meeting needs, as well as ones that have already proven effective. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000. The Foundation discourages phone calls. Contact: Peter Robinson, Executive Vice President, Humanitas Foundation, 1114 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2704, New York NY 10036. Ph: (212) 704-2300.

ALTRAN FOUNDATION. 09/30/01. The Foundation supports Jewish organizations with a focus on New York and Israel in the areas of higher education, Jewish education, religious education, community services, Jewish welfare, temples, international ministries and missions, medical centers and women's affairs. Types of support include conferences and seminars, endowment funds, general support, matching funds, multi-year/continuing support, project support, research, scholarships, and seed money grants. Proposals should include the nature of the project, its objectives and significance, time estimate, and budget. Grants range from $100 to $100,000. Contact: Diane Fischer, President, Altran Foundation, 25 E. 21st St., Third Floor, New York NY 10010. Ph: (212) 505-9677.

8) TECHNOLOGY

VERIZON FOUNDATION. Open. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking on technology applications and programs in one or more of the following areas: literacy, digital divide, workforce development, employee volunteerism, and community technology development. Each proposal is evaluated based on the quality of the program, its service to the public, the size of constituency it serves, the organization's management, and its accountability, finances, and fund-raising practices. The Foundation will review unsolicited proposals on a continuous calendar basis from Jan. 1 through Nov. 30. Applicants are asked to apply online at: http://foundation.verizon.com/.

INTEL FOUNDATION. Open. Intel Corporation established the Foundation for the purpose of developing and funding educational and charitable programs. It funds programs that advance math, science and engineering education; promote women and underrepresented minorities entering science and engineering careers; and increase public understanding of technology and its impact on contemporary life. The Foundation reviews proposals on a continuous basis. Contact: Intel Foundation, 5200 NE Elam Young Parkway, F15-63, Hillsboro OR 97124-6497. Ph: (503) 642-8188. 
Web site: http://www.intel.com/education/grants/index.htm

9) WOMEN

THE GLOBAL FUND FOR WOMEN. Open. The Fund focuses its grantmaking on strengthening women's rights groups around the world. Of interest are programs that address women's political participation and leadership, poverty and economic opportunity, women's rights in religious traditions, reproductive health and choice, lesbian rights, disabled women's rights, violence against women, and access to communications technology and the media. Preference is given to projects that focus on emerging issues. Proposals may be sent via e-mail, fax, or regular mail. Grant decisions are made five to six times a year, but proposals may be sent at any time. Fax or e-mail proposals are accepted. Contact: The Global Fund for Women, 1375 Sutter St., Suite 400, San Francisco CA 94109. Ph: (415) 202-7640. Fax: (415) 202-8604. 
E-mail: grants@globalfundforwomen.org. 
Web site: http://www.globalfundforwomen.org.

WOMEN HELPING OTHERS FOUNDATION. 09/28/01. The Foundation is funded by BeautiControl Cosmetics and individual contributors. Issues of interest are cancer prevention, education, research and patient treatment; teen pregnancy prevention; homelessness; and issues of women's health and well-being. Priorities include educating people about health and education issues, supporting projects dedicated to the concerns of women and children, and encouraging women to help others through their local community services. Grants range from $4,000 to $60,000. Contact: Cheryl Reynolds, Administrative Director, Women Helping Others Foundation Grants, PO Box 816029, Dallas TX 75381-6029. Ph: (800) 946-4663. Fax: (972) 386-8736. 
E-mail: who@beauticontrol.com. 
Web site: http://whofoundation.org/index.html.

10) YOUTH

EDWARD W. HAZEN FOUNDATION. 01/15/02. The Foundation supports organizations that seek to improve the quality of education, provide opportunities for youth development through community institutions, and promote the ideal of community service. The Foundation is especially interested in minority youth and those disadvantaged by poverty, as well as areas where there are significant Native American populations. Priority areas include public education reform and youth development. The Foundation awards grants nationally, but gives preference to organizations in Baltimore, District of Columbia, Philadelphia, New York City, Miami, the Mississippi Delta, Chicago, Texas, and Los Angeles. Grant requests from grassroots and community-based organizations outside of these targeted sites will be considered for small grants of $5,000 or less. Preference will be given to new or emerging school organizing or advocacy efforts where a small, timely grant can make a difference in implementing a promising initiative. Applicants should send a one- to two-page letter of inquiry. Contact: President, Edward W. Hazen Foundation, 309 Fifth Ave., Room 200-3, New York NY 10016. Ph: (212) 889-3034. Fax: (212) 889-3039. 
E-mail: hazen@hazenfoundation.org. 
Web site: http://www.hazenfoundation.org.

SENECA FOODS FOUNDATION. 09/30/01. The Foundation supports nonprofits in Seneca Foods' operating locations, with a focus on helping youth overcome economic and social barriers in two categories: education and employment. Of interest are K-12 and preschool achievement programs for at-risk youth, drop-out prevention, career counseling, life-coping skills, and job programs that give youth the skills they need to access mainstream society. The Foundation also supports programs that teach leadership life skills, crisis programs for abused youth, and adult mentoring projects. Priority goes to programs that involve Seneca employees. Contact: Grants Administrator, Seneca Foods Foundation, 1162 Pittsford-Victor Road, Pittsford NY 14534. Ph: (716) 385-9500.

YOUR IDEAS WANTED!

We're always seeking new fundraising tips (see next story). Share what you've learned about soliciting grants, planning events, or raising funds in other ways. Let your nonprofit colleagues know how well your development program has succeeded, while mentoring other development professionals.

Send your ideas to: Doris Green, Editor, at green@merr.com.  Then, look for your good ideas to appear in future issues.

TIPS: COMPLETING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

When the government develops a new contract or grant program, it sends out a request for proposal. The RFP details project specifications and application procedures. While most foundations prefer to consider
application-initiated proposals, RFPs are becoming increasingly popular for publicizing new programs.

Many organization executives wish they could be mind readers when filling out an RFP. If they only knew what the funding group really wanted they could tailor the proposal to improve their funding chances.

1. Read the RFP once, then read it again. Experienced awardees know that several readings of an RFP are necessary for a complete understanding of what the funding organization requires.
2. Realize that information critical to your proposal may be scattered throughout the RFP.
3. Place the RFP in a three-ring binder for easy use as a reference document and insert dividers in front of each important section for quick
   reference. Use small Post-It notes at the edge of a page to mark important parts or paragraphs for quick recall.
4. Don't assume. The government or funding organization probably does not know who you are. Be specific in detailing the projects you've carried out, your organization's capabilities, and your staff's qualifications.
5. Be aware of the due date and notify any colleagues who may be working with you of the date.
6. Make a proposal schedule and stick to it. Work backward from the proposal due date and build in extra time for potential problems.
7. Make sure you leave plenty of time for copying, binding, and delivering the proposal. Have extra paper and toner on hand, as well as a backup plan in case the equipment fails.
8. Use a legible font and good quality paper. Don't go over the maximum number of pages allowed.
9. Check the entire proposal for consistency and completeness and ensure that signatures are on the right forms. Make sure all required supporting documents are included in the proposal package.
10. If you are awarded funding, celebrate. If not, remember that there are other potential funding sources for your group.

The Society for Nonprofit Organizations has developed NONPROFIT WORLD FUNDING ALERT in keeping with the motto, "Advancement Through Sharing." This e-newsletter is an exclusive benefit of Society membership. Each monthly issue provides profiles and grant announcements to assist nonprofit organizations in their fundraising activities.

Nonprofit World Funding Alert is provided as a member service of and copyrighted by The Society for Nonprofit Organizations. It is not to be duplicated, in whole or in part, nor forwarded to others without written permission. Should you wish to receive your own copy, it can be obtained by joining the Society.

The Society welcomes comments and suggestions about new grant opportunities. E-mail Doris Green, editor, at green@merr.com.