Grant information

Guidelines for Grant Seekers

Introduction | How grants are selected | Grant making limitations
Monitoring grants | Statement of Interest download

Introduction
The Rachel Corrie Foundation granting program aims to support projects that utilize one of our four program areas (education, art and the written word, connections, and grassroots participation), or some combination thereof, in promoting human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice—which we view as pre-requisites for world peace.

If you are seeking a grant from the Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice, please complete the Statement of Interest Form and a one-page letter of inquiry describing the nature of your grant request, your connection to a qualifying 501(c)(3) organization, and any time considerations. Send these materials to our office by regular mail, fax, or e-mail. This information will allow us to determine whether your grant request fits our current interests and basic requirements. Letters of inquiry have no deadlines and are accepted throughout the year.

After receiving and reviewing your letter of inquiry, we may ask for a formal proposal. Proposals are due semi-annually no later than the first day of April and October for grant awards that are made in May and November. Because grant funds are very limited, the Foundation accepts only a limited number of proposals. Please do not submit a proposal before receiving our invitation to do so. We will acknowledge receipt of your Statement of Interest and letter of inquiry and will later notify you regarding our ability to invite your formal grant proposal or not. These procedures are intended to save both the foundation and grant applicants unnecessary and time-consuming work.

How grants are selected
The Rachel Corrie Foundation for selects grant recipients with consideration for the following:

• Compatibility with the foundation’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Ability of an applicant to meet all legal requirements.
• Size of the grant request and the ability of a grantee to secure any additional funding necessary. (Grant awards to date have been small, and at this time we anticipate they will not exceed $5000.)
• The ability of an applicant to provide all information requested and in some cases to meet with a foundation program officer/representative.

Grant making limitations
The Rachel Corrie Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) public charities by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. We do not make grants to individuals or for-profit organizations. However, individuals and groups who are fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3)organizations are eligible for grant consideration.

The Foundation can designate a portion of its grants for use in influencing legislation (lobbying). Therefore, the Foundation’s general support grants to Section 501(c)(3) public charities may be used to support a grantee’s overall operations, even if the grantee engages in lobbying as part of its programs. The Foundation may consider funding projects that include both lobbying and nonlobbying activities if the applicant provides a detailed budget that identifies separately both lobbying and nonlobbying expenses. Foundation funds may never be used to support or oppose candidates for political office.

Monitoring grants
It is the responsibility and interest of the Rachel Corrie Foundation to carefully monitor, evaluate, and support projects and efforts supported through our granting program.

When possible, a foundation program officer or representative visits a grantee on site.
Upon accepting a grant, the grantee agrees to provide additional follow-up as requested. Within six months of receiving a grant award, the grantee must provide financial and narrative reports that are shared with a foundation grants administrator and committee, and occasionally an attorney.

A grantee may be invited to attend a foundation committee or board meeting (in person or by teleconference) to report on the project’s progress.

Monitoring by the foundation ensures that funds are used lawfully, toward the project or goal proposed in the grant application, and to achieve the fullest possible success of the funded program.

Applicants
Those considering applying for a foundation grant should make sure their project fits the above-mentioned guidelines and fill out and send a Statement of Interest form, which is available right here.