ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

An applicant must have tax-exempt status under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code and be a publicly supported charity under Section 509. Nonprofit organizations additionally must be registered with the State of New Jersey as a charity unless they are schools that file their curricula with the Department of Education and are exempted from the provisions of the New Jersey Charitable Registration and Investigation Act.

FUNDING PRIORITIES AND TYPES OF SUPPORT:

Bunbury seeks to assist organizations primarily in Mercer County, but also in Burlington, Camden, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Somerset, with programs in the following areas:

• Educational programs that provide opportunities for intellectual, societal or cultural growth to youth and families
• Environmental programs that help conserve threatened farmland, habitat or waterways and regional planning efforts that help advance these goals
• Community building and social service programs that empower the underserved
• Cultural programs that promote local artistic initiatives

The Foundation is particularly interested in programs that are local and have the ability to positively impact the quality of life within their community. A snapshot of the 46 organizations Bunbury provided support to in 2006 shows that 17% were new grantees and 66% were organizations or programs located in Mercer County. Underserved youth and families received approximately 40% of the allocated funds and the same was true for education. Arts and environmental organizations or programs each received approximately 10% of the allocated funds for 2006.

The Foundation provides basic needs support within the following areas:

1. General operating support
2. Building Funds
3. Challenge grants or matching funds
4. Funds for special programs

The Foundation will not provide support for the following:

1. Endowment campaigns
2. Sporting activities, outings or events
3. Fraternal or religious organizations, including schools with religious affiliation
4. Individual fellowships or scholarships
5. Summer camps or day care facilities, unless part of a comprehensive after care program
6. Organizations with multiple chapters if outside Mercer County
7. Specific cultural performances
8. Publications or surveys

An organization may submit a proposal under any of the following deadlines. Phone calls prior to submission are welcome but we hope the proposal process as outlined is more than adequate in outlining the Foundation’s expectations. After receipt of an application, interviews or site visits may be requested by the Foundation. Deadlines for 2007/2008 are:

1st Quarter: 11/6/2007
2nd Quarter: 3/4/2008
3rd Quarter: 5/6/2008
4th Quarter: 8/5/2008

Four copies of the final application must be received at Bunbury by 4:00 p.m. on the deadline date - without exception. We do not accept faxed or e-mailed applications.

An application form (in Adobe pdf format) can be downloaded here.

Notes: All organizations receiving a grant of $10,000 or more must submit a final report to the Foundation regarding use of the funds before it will be reviewed for a subsequent grant. Reports must be mailed under separate cover. Please do not include them with applications or other materials related to your grant. An organization may submit only one application within any given 12 month period.

Your application must include the following information, in this order, and including four copies.

1. Completed standard Bunbury application form signed by both the Executive Director and President of the governing body.
2. One page executive summary.
3. Proposal narrative (no longer than 3 pages) including:
• History and current position of organization
• Requested project goals, population served, and projected timeline;
• How project outcomes will be measured;
• Plan to complete/or sustain project funding
4. Project Budget
5. Attachments:
1. Profiles or resumes of E.D. and key project staff.
2. Letters of support from community or collaborative partners
3. Current board of directors with affiliations
4. Institutional funding sources over $1,000.
5. IRS 501 (c) (3) Determination Letter and confirmation of publicly supported 509 (a) status.
6. Financial information including:
   • Organization budget for current year
   • Audit from the last fiscal year (audits older than 18 months will not be accepted)
   • last years' actual figures if not covered by audit

PLEASE NOTE: Your application is considered incomplete and will not be reviewed if any of the above information is not included.

REVIEW PROCESS

Proposals are reviewed quarterly by a joint committee of The Bunbury Company and its sister foundation, the Windham Foundation. All applicants will be notified by mail of the Foundation's decision within 10 weeks of the deadline.

In making decisions, the Foundation will look to the applicant’s accomplishments, financial stability, leadership, and long-term planning – as well as to the merits of the proposed funding project. Approximately $100,000 in new grants will be awarded each quarter. Although there is no ceiling on a grant request, the average award is $15,000. Grants rarely exceed $100,000 and most often, at this level, are considered as multi year awards. Requests clearly above these parameters are not encouraged.