frequently asked questions

Will the Trust allocate a certain percentage each grant cycle to each specific program category?
There is no plan to do so. Funding decisions will be based upon the merit of the proposals received and our sense of community needs.
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Can an organization submit a proposal containing multiple requests?
No. The Trust prefers to accept only one idea per application.
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Does having an endowment hurt the probability of an organization being funded?
Not specifically, but we will review its size and how earnings are being applied to determine how critical a grant from the Trust would be to the organization.
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Does receiving United Way funding hurt an organization's prospects to be considered for funding?
Not specifically, but we will review its size and how earnings are being applied to determine how critical a grant from the Trust would be to the organization.
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Is there an advantage in building a joint proposal between organizations in Indiana and Arizona?
No. Unless there is a very logical reason to apply together, don't bother to attempt it..
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Will the Trust fund partial amounts of the full amount requested?
Yes. Because of limited funds, the Trust will consider offering a grant in an amount less than requested.
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If two organizations are collaborating on a project, should each organization submit a separate proposal?
No. Only one organization should submit the proposal, but a letter of collaboration from the other organization should be included.
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Does an organization need its own 501(c)(3)?
We prefer that an organization have its 501(c)(3) letter from the IRS. However, there may be cases where another organization has agreed to serve as the fiscal agent. In such instances, a letter stating this agreement between organizations and the reason for it must be submitted with the proposal.
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What if an organization has applied for 501(c)(3) status, but has not received its ruling?
An organization must have its preliminary ruling letter from the IRS prior to submitting a proposal unless it is submitting under another organization's 501(c)(3), as stated above.
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What is the grant size range?
There is no "set" range. To date, the Trust has awarded grants as small as $3,000 and as large as $1.5 million.
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Who makes the final decisions on grant requests, and where do these people live?
The three Trustees make final decisions. The staff presents recommendations to them for consideration. Two of the Trustees have homes in Phoenix and Indianapolis and the third Trustee is originally from Indiana but currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona.
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Do naming opportunities give an organization a better chance for funding?
No.
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Does the Trust fund medical research?
No.
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Does the Trust make multi-year grants?
In some cases it will, depending upon the amount of funding and the purpose of the request.
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If an organization receives a notice of funding, how long will it be before a check is distributed?
Following the Trust's receipt of your signed grant agreement, checks will generally be available within 30 to 60 days.
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Will the Trust accept proposals from individual branches or clubs of larger entities, such as Boy Scouts of America, YMCA, or Boys & Girls Club?
No. The Trust will accept only one proposal per year from the parent organization. For these purposes, the "parent organization" generally refers to that entity to which the IRS has issued a Section 501(c)(3) determination letter.
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Will the Trust accept proposals from local chapters of national organizations?
Yes, if the funds requested are used within that local community and the entity has an independent governing body that is responsible for funding and governance in the greater Indianapolis or Phoenix area. An example of this kind of organization or group is a local affiliate of the American Red Cross.
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Will the Trust accept proposals from government programs and/or agencies serving the mission of the Trust?
Only by rare exception will the Trust fund organizations that are government agencies.
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Will the Trust accept proposals from public school districts?
Only by rare exception will the Trust fund public education. However, a proposal will be accepted only if authorized by or submitted by the local district's central office, and the Trust will accept only one proposal per year per school district.
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Will the Trust accept proposals from private independent schools?
Yes, but if the individual school does not have its own Section 501(c)(3) determination letter, the proposal must be authorized by or submitted by the school's central governing body.
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Will the Trust accept proposals from religious organizations?
The Trust does not support sectarian religious activities or sectarian religious facilities. However, churches and other religious organizations may submit proposals if their activities benefit the larger community and decisions to accept clients are not made on the basis of religious belief and/or affiliation. An example is Lutheran Social Services.
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Do religious organizations need their own Section 501(c)(3) determination letter?
Please refer first to the above question and answer. If a religious organization otherwise meets the criteria in the Q & A above, the Trust may under limited circumstances fund an organization that does not have its own Section 501(c)(3) determination letter. While the Trust prefers that organizations have their own Section 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS, it recognizes that many local religious organizations are part of a group exemption, and in those cases, proposals generally should be authorized by or submitted by the central governing body. If the central governing body is a national organization that has a local affiliation (as described in the Q & A above), then the local entity should apply through the organization that represents the greater Indianapolis or Phoenix area as a whole. An example of this kind of organization or group is the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
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Does the Trust accept proposals from colleges and universities?
The Trust will not accept unsolicited proposals from colleges and universities for operating or capital requests. (The latter includes endowments for professorial chairs, faculty training and research, scholarships, and building campaigns.) However, the Trust will continue to accept proposals through its regular grant cycles for support of projects that link higher education institutions to their communities through service learning opportunities. From time to time, the Trust may consider circulating requests for proposals on a case-by-case basis.
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Our college (or university) is involved in a project with the community or neighborhood. Is the Trust still interested in receiving proposals of this type?
Yes. The Trust will continue to consider these types of requests. However, if the proposal is submitted by the educational institution, then it must be authorized by the central administration and only one request per year will be considered from that organization or the community nonprofit agency that is the project partner.
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Does the Trust accept requests to support charter schools?
The Trust will not consider operational or capital requests for charter schools.
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