Guidelines for Grant Making

The Lake County Community Foundation is no longer accepting LOIs for 2010. Please review the grant process and guidelines below and check back in November for the 2011 grant deadline.

Start the Competitive Grant Application Process

The grant application process is a competitive one and acceptance at any stage does not guarantee funding. The steps for applying are as follows:

STEP 1: THE LETTER OF INQUIRY

The Foundation requires all grant seekers to submit a short letter of inquiry, outlining information about the applicant’s organization and the request for funding.

Download the Letter of Inquiry

STEP 2: THE PROPOSAL

All LOIs are reviewed by Foundation staff and a limited number of organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal. This invitation does not in any way guarantee funding. Organizations invited to submit a full proposal will continue the grant process by completing the proposal template and submitting it, along with all required supporting documents.

Download the Proposal Document

STEP 3: PROPOSAL REVIEW

Following submission, proposals will be reviewed as follows:

Staff contact: The program officer assigned to the proposal will contact the agency to confirm that the required content has been included in the proposal, request any needed additional information, schedule an appointment or site visit as appropriate, and discuss any special needs or circumstances that may exist.
Staff review: The Foundation’s program staff reviews all proposals. As part of the review process, staff may make site visits, contact other agencies, foundations, or individuals who have knowledge of the grant-seeking agency. Individual staff reviews are presented to staff colleagues for discussion and approval.
Changes: During the time that a proposal is under review, an applicant must notify the Foundation of any significant changes in leadership (staff or board), financial circumstances, or the capacity of the agency to carry out the proposed activities.

Competitive Grant Application Procedures

Download the Grant Guidelines

Letters of inquiry and full proposals must be submitted electronically to the grants manager at: lccfgrantsmanager@lakecountycf.org.

For additional questions on the Foundation’s grant making, please contact
Susan Niederlander, manager of external affairs, at 847.377.0520 x 23 or susan@lakecountycf.org.