How do I know if my organization is qualified for funding from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation?
Please thoroughly review our four key focus areas of investment and our policies and guidelines on our “Foundation Grants” page of our website to evaluate organizational eligibility and alignment with our priorities. You will also be required to take a short eligibility questionnaire when you create an account on our Online Grants Portal, before you are able to submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

Are there deadlines to apply for grants?
No, there are no deadlines. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation accepts applications on an ongoing basis, year-round. However, if a specific Special Initiative grant opportunity or a Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued, there may be deadlines associated with it.

How do I apply for a grant?
All applications to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation must be submitted through the Foundations’ Online Grants Portal powered by Fluxx. We do not accept applications or materials through the mail or email.

There are three (3) main steps to apply for a grant:

STEP 1: Register your organization by creating an account on Fluxx – the Foundation’s Online Grants Portal through the following steps:
a. Click the “Create an account now” button. Please note, Fluxx operates best by using the Google Chrome browser.
b. Answer three questions to see if your organization meets the Foundation’s eligibility guidelines.
c. If eligible, you will then be prompted to enter your organization’s information, Tax ID/EIN and the primary contact.
d. After you submit the account request, you will be emailed a registration link and temporary password usually within 1-3 days to begin the application process.

STEP 2: Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) with the following information:
a. A brief summary of your request
b. A description of your project or program
c. Statement of purpose and need
d. Project start and end date
e. Total program cost and amount requested
f. Budget and other funding sources
g. Audited financial statements, annual report, board and supporters list

If the LOI fits within the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s current program interests and strategy, Foundation staff will invite you to submit a Full Proposal.

STEP 3: Upon approval, complete the Full Proposal section with the following information:
a. Organization overview
b. Project description, including: target population and benefits; bios and partners; staffing and oversite; post-grant funding
c. Programmatic support, including: sustainability for program and other program funding sources
d. Plans for evaluation
e. Complete budget details

How will I be notified of a decision?
Applicants should receive an email confirmation of receipt of the LOI. All further status changes related to your request will be communicated by email and via status updates on the Online Application “Dashboard,” which is visible upon logging in to your account on the Grants Portal.

How often does the Foundation approve grants?
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees meets three times a year to approve grants. These meetings typically take place in early Spring, Summer and Fall. The average time from full proposal submission to grant award is four-six months.

What is your typical grant size? (i.e. how much should we request)?
There is no minimum or maximum amount that organizations can request. Final approved grant amount will depend on the scope of the project. Please refer to our Grantee Database to see the types and amounts of grants the Foundations have awarded in the recent past.

If I am part of a large institution, how do I apply?
Proposals from institutions with multiple departments (e.g. universities, medical centers, etc.) should be coordinated through the institutions’ central development offices.

Can my organization apply for more than one grant?
Yes, our Online Grants Portal will allow you to submit more than one LOI/Application if your organization has more than one program that fits within the Foundation’s focus areas.
If you have any further questions, please email info@ralphcwilsonjrfoundation.org.