GRANT MAKING PROCESS

The Foundation has two grant funding cycles during the year – spring and fall, each with a two step grant making process.

Step One – Preliminary Proposal

Any organization seeking grant consideration must complete a Preliminary Proposal form. The form, as well instructions for its completion, is contained in this web site under the Preliminary Proposal. The form must be submitted by the deadline indicated in the Grant Cycle Timetable section below. Its content should be limited to the two page format provided.

Incomplete Preliminary Proposals or those for purposes falling outside of the scope and geographic limitations of our grant making process may be declined without further review. All other Preliminary Proposals will be reviewed promptly by the Board of Directors of the Foundation. Following this review, the Foundation will notify organizations of the results.

The purpose of the Preliminary Proposal step is twofold: (1) to allow an organization the opportunity to provide initial information about a proposed need in a high level format and (2) to enable the Foundation to respond quickly to that information. The Foundation is sensitive to the resources expended by organizations in completing formal grant proposals. If by reason of request purpose, interest emphasis, or Foundation funding priorities, it concludes that a request may not be a good, current "fit", the Foundation wishes to communicate this decision as soon as possible.

Step Two – Formal Grant Application

Organizations selected to complete a formal grant application must do so in accordance with the instructions contained in the Grant Application tab of this website. The dates by which these proposals must be submitted to the Foundation appear below. Following a careful review by the Directors of all proposals accepted for a particular grant funding cycle, organizations will be notified in writing of funding decisions.

Selection to submit a formal grant application should not suggest to an organization that its grant request will be automatically funded. Even with a Preliminary Proposal process step in place, the Foundation will continue to receive and review more grant proposals than it is able to fund in any single cycle.

Communication with the Foundation

All communications with the Foundation or questions regarding the grant making process should be directed to:

Peter C. Toms
Executive Director
The Beirne Carter Foundation
1802 Bayberry Court, Suite 401
Richmond , VA 23226-3767
Telephone Number: (804) 521-0272
Fax Number: (804) 521-0274
E-Mail: bcarterfn@aol.com

Personal contact with individual Directors regarding a Preliminary Proposal or formal grant application is discouraged.

Decision Process

It is important for organizations seeking grant funding from the Beirne Carter Foundation to understand that it is only the Directors as a group that make each decision, and that once made, the decision is communicated in writing except in very rare circumstances. The volume of Preliminary Proposals and formal grant applications as well as the subjective considerations involved preclude the Foundation from critiquing unsuccessful Preliminary Proposals or applications, and inquiries of this nature should not be made.

Additional Information

At any point during the grant making process, the Foundation may request additional information from the organization. In addition, the Directors may ask for a site visit during the grant making process or following the award of a grant.

1802 Bayberry Court, Suite 401, Richmond, Virginia  23226-3767

Phone:  (804) 521-0272 • E-mail:  bcarterfn@aol.com