Grant Applicant FAQ

What are Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s grantmaking strategies?

The strategies are Economic Security, Education, Immigrant Integration, and Regional Planning. In addition, the Community Opportunity Fund addresses essential safety-net needs, and is focused on support for food and shelter services.

How did the community foundation pick the strategies?

We conducted an extensive process to review best practices, identify key issues facing our region and gather research. We hosted a series of nine community conversations and conducted an online survey. After listening to others, we began a thorough review to select the most critical areas in which we could have an impact.

Who decided on those strategies?

Our board of directors approved the strategies, which were recommended by community foundation staff.

What are the geographic restrictions for funding?

To be eligible to apply for funding, your organization must have a significant presence in San Mateo and/or Santa Clara counties. Organizations headquartered outside the two-county region must demonstrate service to the area.

When may I apply for a grant under one of the five strategies?

The community foundation uses a Request for Proposals, or RFP, format. The RFPs are released on specific dates and each has a specific application window and deadline for submission.

How do I obtain an RFP?

The RFPs currently open for application are available on our website, www.siliconvalleycf.org, under Apply For A Grant.

Where can I get more information about applying for a grant?

Our website has a schedule of key dates that includes RFP information sessions, copies of open RFPs, research papers pertaining to the strategies, and key dates, including release and due dates for specific RFPs. Please note that the information sessions are not general sessions and are specific to particular RFP topics, i.e. the education strategy.

Are there any organizational eligibility requirements that would prevent an organization from being considered for a grant (i.e., organizations that have been incorporated for less than a year, have a small budget or staff complement)?

The community foundation does not have any specific eligibility requirements related to budget size, number of staff or years of operation. However, the process is competitive and an organization’s relevant experience and organizational capacity are examined closely during the review process. Please refer to the Eligibility Criteria section of the RFP guidelines for the complete list of requirements.

May an organization submit a proposal for a multiple-year grant?

Yes, however, we expect that the majority of the grants awarded will be for one year. We do anticipate that as we learn from the activities of grants awarded during grantmaking cycles, multiple year funding will be more readily available in subsequent grant rounds.

May we submit multiple proposals under the RFP process?

Yes, but we discourage this practice in all but a few cases where there is an organization that has strong internal capacity and a community track record.

My organization intends to respond to an RFP under one of the community foundation’s strategies. If we are awarded a grant under that sub-strategy, will we be eligible to respond to other RFPs?

Yes, you may submit a proposal for another RFP even if you have been awarded a grant under a separate strategy, but note the answer to the question above.

If my organization submits a grant proposal, is it possible that the organization may be awarded less money than requested?

Yes, it is possible that your organization will be awarded a smaller grant than what was requested.

Will any general operating support grants be awarded?

Yes, organizations can request operating support as part of their request for planning or implementation of specific projects. The availability of general operating support may differ by grant strategy.

Is the organizational budget required to be based on our current fiscal year or a projection of the upcoming year?

You may base it on either, but if you anticipate a significant change in your organization’s overall budget going forward—higher or lower—you should include the projected budget and explain the anticipated change in the budget narrative.

When will we be notified if we have received a grant?

The RFPs have different award dates so please refer to the website and individual RFPs for the specific month that grant announcements will be made.

The research papers developed by the community foundation are very informative. Can information from those papers be incorporated into a grant proposal?

Yes, if the information is relevant to the RFP respondent’s work and can be demonstrated as such, it certainly could be incorporated into the proposal.

May we submit letters of recommendation?

No, we ask that you not submit them and we will not evaluate them as part of your proposal. If we need additional information not included in the proposal submission package we will contact you.

If our proposal does not get funding, will I receive comments from the reviewers or a debriefing of some other kind from the community foundation?

We will endeavor to be as responsive to questions from applicants as the volume of proposals we receive allows.

Can organizations apply for donor advised funding?

Organizations may not apply directly to donor advised funds established by individuals or families. However, the community foundation manages a number of corporate advised funds, several of which are open to application. Please check our website to see if your organization is eligible for one of the corporate funding programs.