1. What should I include in a FACES Grant application to maximize my chances of success?
2. What if I am unsure whether or not my organization is a past recipient of Freeman Foundation support?
3. How many FACES Grants will be awarded?
4. What are the minimum and maximum amounts of funding I can request for a FACES Grant?
5. Does my organization have to be located in Montgomery County, Maryland in order to apply for a FACES Grant for a program serving that area?
6. Does my organization have to be located in Sussex County, Delaware in order to apply for a FACES Grant for a program serving that area?
7. Is it mandatory that grants be spent right away, or can the funding be held for a while as we continue to raise money?
8. Are religious organizations eligible grant applicants?
9. Does the Freeman Foundation provide support for individuals or scholarship opportunities?
10. Can an organization that previously won a Major Grant apply for a FACES Grant?
11. For what purposes can the funds from a FACES Grant be used?
12. Can potential funding be used to pay a staff member’s salary?
13. Would a capital project be considered for a FACES Grant?
14. May I fax in my application? May I send it late?
15. Is there a match requirement attached to a FACES Grant?
16. How is “technology budget” defined?
17. Is there a limit to the number of times an organization can be awarded funding?
18. Are affiliate organizations under the same umbrella eligible to apply if another branch or affiliate received a FACES grant?
19. “Can you give me advice as to which of these ideas would be most likely to be funded?”
20. How do I know which category to classify my grant application? The areas seem broad and it could fit into several categories….
21. What if my organization’s operating budget is over the budget cap?
22. What should I include in my grant report?
1. What should I include in a FACES Grant application to maximize my chances of success?
Most importantly, be sure to follow all of the very specific guidelines. Be sure to submit it on time, and provide thorough answers to all the questions. Most effective applications:
• Describe their organization, history, and mission concisely but very clearly;
• Describe exactly how the funds will be used—more specificity is better;
• Include the number of people who will be served directly;
• Explain what's unique about their group, project, and/or service area; and
• If this program has been provided before, tell us about lessons learned. If it’s a new program, make sure we know how you’re funding it (other than the Freeman Foundation) and what public, private, or nonprofit partners you have already recruited.
2. What if I am unsure whether or not my organization is a past recipient of Freeman Foundation support?
We request that each organization review their files before submitting an application. Please include grant funds received and any training you participated in that we underwrote.
3. How many FACES Grants will be awarded?
That will be determined, in part, by the number and quality of the applications submitted, as well as the amount awarded per grant. In general, approximately 10-20 grants will be awarded in each region per year.
4. What are the minimum and maximum amounts of funding I can request for a FACES Grant?
Grant requests may be made in the amounts of $2500 or $5000. Grants will only be awarded in these amounts, therefore, if you only need $2000 for your project, you should indicate what the remaining $500 would be used for, for example general operating support.
5. Does my organization have to be located in Montgomery County, Maryland in order to apply for a FACES Grant for a program serving that area?
Yes. There are so many worthy nonprofit organizations located in Montgomery County that we are restricting applications to groups physically based there.
6. Does my organization have to be located in Sussex County, Delaware in order to apply for a FACES Grant for a program serving that area?
No. Organizations in this area may be physically headquartered elsewhere, but funding will only go to programs that serve the population of Sussex County. For example, if you are affiliated with a Delaware-based group, headquartered in Wilmington, Newark, or Dover, we will accept your FACES application. Please make sure that your request will be 100% for work serving the population of Sussex County only.
7. Is it mandatory that grants be spent right away, or can the funding be held for a while as we continue to raise money?
There are no strict rules on this, but our intention is for a FACES grant to be applied to a program or project being undertaken in the short-term. Remember that a grant report will be due six months after the monies are received. An extension can be granted (a few months) for programs that have not been completed by the six-month deadline.
8. Are religious organizations eligible grant applicants?
Religious organizations for direct religious work are prohibited from receiving grants.
9. Does the Freeman Foundation provide support for individuals or scholarship opportunities?
No.
10. Can an organization that previously won a Major Grant apply for a FACES Grant?
There are currently no prohibitions on this so as long as your organization meets the criteria.
11. For what purposes can the funds from a FACES Grant be used?
For any purpose that makes the biggest difference for your group.
12. Can potential funding be used to pay a staff member’s salary?
Yes. Most projects involve paying people, rent, or other overhead costs. We understand that these expenses will be factored into your request and will be explained. Be sure to give us the “big picture” about how the grant will further your organization’s mission.
13. Would a capital project be considered for a FACES Grant?
Yes.
14. May I fax in my application? May I send it late?
No, and no. All applications must be submitted online by the deadline posted. A printed application must be sent in with the attachments by the same deadline.
15. Is there a match requirement attached to a FACES Grant?
No, although if you are facing a challenge grant or would launch one, please explain that in your application.
16. How is “technology budget” defined?
The intent of the technology budget question is to find out about your current status (as well as plans for the future) relating to computer technology. This includes funds spent on hardware, software, training, maintenance, web site creation and updates, etc. So, if you have a budget to purchase 1 computer, spend “x” for your Internet service, and “y” for tech support, that total would be your technology budget.
17. Is there a limit to the number of times an organization can be awarded funding?
No. As long as your organization meets the criteria, you are welcome to apply. Previous grant winners at all levels are encouraged to apply.
18. Are affiliate organizations under the same umbrella eligible to apply if another branch or affiliate received a FACES grant?
Yes. If you serve a different community and have a different staff and Board, you are welcome to apply.
19. “Can you give me advice as to which of these ideas would be most likely to be funded?”
Please select the program need you are most passionate about or for which your organization most needs the funding. Since the grant advisory committee recommends which applications to fund, input from staff would not accurately reflect the thoughts of the committee members.
20. How do I know which category to classify my grant application? The areas seem broad and it could fit into several categories….
Assuming we receive quality applications in all areas, all categories of grants will be funded. Use your best judgment as to which area to categorize your request. Funding will depend on the percentage of requests in each category. For example, if there are 5 applications in “Education/Environment” and 25 in Health & Human Services, there may be a greater chance of being funded in the “Education/Environment” category. A funding request for a nutrition/cooking class could be submitted in either the “Education/Environment” category or “Health & Human Services” – it’s up to you to decide which category to apply under.
Arts/Culture – arts/culture programming such as film festivals, theatre productions, gallery showings, music festivals, as well as dance classes, art classes, etc.
Education/Environment – education programming such as nutrition programs, after-school programming, camp expenses, “Girl Scouts”, PTA, etc. Environment may include such things as testing water for safety, building nature trails, tracking wildlife, developing a nature center, etc. Education programs do not have to be environmental, and the environmental requests do not need to be educational.
Health & Human Services – this category may encompass medical services, nutrition classes, food banks, homeless shelters, drug rehabilitation, domestic violence prevention programs, transportation for services, therapy, work training, etc.
Housing – this may include homeless shelters, transitional housing, building homes, equipment for construction of housing, etc.
Other – this may include anything you feel does not fit in the above categories, for example spaying cats/dogs.
21. What if my organization’s operating budget is over the budet cap?
If your organization is applying for a FACES of Montgomery County grant, we will only consider applications from nonprofit groups with operating budgets of $750,000 or less. You may partner with such an organization and have that organization submit the application.
If your organization is applying for a FACES of Sussex County grant, you may apply for a grant if your total organization budget exceeds $500,000 so long as the budget for all programming in Sussex County is less than $500,000.
22. What should I include in my grant report?
The grant report may be as simple as an emailed letter stating what the funds were used for, how many people participated, the impact of the grant on the organization and/or community, etc. If funds were used to make a purchase, we ask that you include a copy of the receipt of the purchase. Reports may also include copies of any press you received regarding the project, and any reports/brochures etc. the Carl M. Freeman Foundation may be referenced in.