Frequently Asked Questions
Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust grant priorities
Yes, the Trust will consider providing operating support.
The Trust will consider capital support for organizations that seek immediate capital improvements to continue or expand services. The Trust will occasionally award grants for capital campaigns, either for building or endowment purposes, but such grants are rare and are generally limited to Trust grantees that have received multiple grants from the Trust.
There is no set range; however, the majority of the Trust’s grants are less than $250,000.
How to be considered for a grant
Trust staff members look forward to the opportunity to discuss your potential funding request. Such discussions will allow Trust staff to determine the viability of the funding request, and it will also improve your ability to generate a proposal that is a strong fit with our current priorities.
The earlier you make contact, the better. However, the minimum timeframe is at least two months prior to the application deadline posted on the Trust’s website.
No. Only one organization should submit the application, but a letter of collaboration from the other organization should be included.
Generally, the Trust must have received and reviewed your post-grant evaluation report before your organization is eligible to apply for a new grant. Consult a Trust program officer for further guidance.
We prefer that an organization have its 501(c) (3) determination letter from the IRS. However, there may be instances where another organization has agreed to serve as a fiscal sponsor. In such instances, a letter stating this agreement between organizations and the reason for the fiscal sponsor arrangement must be submitted with the application.
An organization must have its preliminary ruling letter from the IRS prior to submitting an application unless it is submitting under a fiscal sponsor arrangement, as discussed above.
The Trust’s three-person board of trustees make final funding decisions. The staff presents recommendations to the trustees for consideration. Two of the trustees have homes in the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area and the third trustee resides in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Most of the Trust’s grants are one-year grants, but the Trust does award multiyear grants, depending upon the amount of funding and the purpose of the request.
Yes, if the funds requested are used within the 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.
Only by rare exception will the Trust fund organizations that are government agencies. Consult a Trust program officer for further guidance.
No. There are rare exceptions but, generally, the Trust does not fund individual schools, school buildings, school equipment or general operating support.
No. There are rare exceptions but, generally, the Trust does not fund individual schools, school buildings, school equipment or general operating support.
The Trust does not support sectarian religious activities or sectarian religious facilities. However, churches and other religious organizations may submit an application 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.
Grant submission process
All Trust grants are invitation-only. The first step in the grant submission process is a conversation with a Trust program officer (refer to our Grant Process webpage). Once a program officer has invited you to apply, you can do so online.
To see the latest grant application deadlines, visit the Grant Process webpage.
No. The Trust only accepts applications submitted electronically through its website.
General questions
No.
Yes. Because of limited funds, the Trust will consider offering a grant in an amount less than requested.