Grantseekers faq
Frequently Asked Questions
If your questions are not answered here, please email us at dbf@davisonbrucefoundation.org with any additional questions and someone from our office will contact you.
My organization is outside your service area. Does this mean we are ineligible to apply?
Probably. The Davison Bruce Foundation wishes to focus its time on evaluating organizations that fit within the foundation’s mission statement, funding priorities and geographic areas of interest. Therefore the foundation discourages an organization from applying that is outside of the Davison Bruce Foundation’s service areas, mission and current grantmaking practices.
The Davison Bruce Foundation replied to our Letter of Inquiry and invited us to complete a Grant Application Form Package. Does this indicate a likelihood of our receiving a grant?
No. An invitation to complete the Davison Bruce Foundation Grant Application Form Package does not indicate a likelihood of receiving a grant. Grant applications are assessed based on a multiple of criteria including:
- Funding Interest: Does the request focus on one of the Davison Bruce Foundation’s funding interests?
- Impact: What is the depth and scope of the request’s proposed impact?
- Organizational Capacity: How capable is your organization of achieving the stated impact? Has your organization had previous success with the program or project and/or have previous successes created a need for additional operational support or capital improvement?
- Connections with the Davison Bruce Foundation’s extended network of members, stewards and staff.
Is it possible to request an extension on your LOI, Grant Application, or Post Grant report deadlines?
No. All grant cycle deadlines are firm.
What are the eligibility requirements to apply for a grant?
> All grant applicants must qualify under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, be classified as a public charity and domiciled in the United States. Churches and governmental agencies are exempt, however the Davison Bruce Foundation does not make grants to governmental organizations. All grants must further religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or education purposes, or be for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals and may not be used for lobbying activities. More importantly, grants must embrace our mission and focus on the Davison Bruce Foundation’s funding priorities.
> The Davison Bruce Foundation believes that it is best practice to make an impact and cultivate meaningful relationships with our grantee organizations, however we strive to guard against repetitive funding that may create a culture of dependency or otherwise become detrimental. As a result, the Davison Bruce Foundation may require repeat grant recipients to abstain from the grant application process for one year before re-applying. We are available to discuss the possible effects on your organization and ways that we can help you be proactive in your fundraising efforts so that you can be prepared should this occur.
What types of funding are available?
Grants may be made for project, program and services provided support, special programs, general purpose and/or operating support or capital improvement. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to Our Work.
What other grant applicant requirements are there?
I'm having difficulty completing or accessing a form. What should I do?
Please email us at dbf@davisonbrucefoundation.org with your questions and someone from our office will contact you. We are happy to help you!
How are grant decisions made?
Grants are approved by action of the Foundation following a rigorous internal review process. We will also review your Guidestar Report. If you have not claimed and updated your Guidestar profile, we suggest you go to www.guidestar.org to learn more about the benefits of keeping your Guidestar profile complete and up to date.
What is the duration, size, and frequency of grant awards?
Our organization has many needs. How can we determine which will most closely fit the interests of the Foundation?
Apply for what you need most unless it is specifically excluded in the guidelines.
Is it possible to ask for too much?
Does the Foundation make grants to indirect, overhead, or so-called "operating costs"?
Does the Foundation make grants for capital purposes?
Will a "naming opportunity" be attractive to the Foundation?
Does the Foundation develop partnerships?
What follow-up reports does the Foundation require from recipients?
Where can I access a copy of the Post Grant Report Form?
The Post Grant Report Form is available online to grantees and may be accessed via the link on Step One of our Info For Grantseekers page. You will receive an email from the Davison Bruce Foundation toward the end of the year requesting that your organization complete and submit this report. The report should be completed in full and reference the specific amount, purpose, and date of the grant, as well as confirm its proper distribution. If you have not been able to fully utilize the funds as anticipated within the year, we ask that you include that information in your report.
Is there a paper grant application process?
If you are invited to complete a Grant Application Form Package, using our online grant application process is preferred to ensure a timely response. PDF of paper Grant Application forms are available upon request. Please note: All mailed forms must be received by the deadline in order to be considered.
Please do not hesitate to email us if you have additional questions. Please email us at dbf@davisonbrucefoundation.org and someone from our office will contact you.