Grant Guidelines

GRANT GUIDELINES

Qualified applicants must be either a private, non-profit organization tax-exempt under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a public institution. The organization, or program, to be funded must be located in New Jersey*. Grant decisions are made quarterly, yet an organization may submit only one application within any given 12-month period.

FUNDING PRIORITIES

Through its grant making Bunbury seeks to assist organizations working within a broad spectrum of philanthropic activities. Those organizations include, but are not limited to, those dealing with:

• Disadvantaged youth and families
• Ecology and the natural world
• Education in the broadest sense
• Promotion of the arts

The Foundation is particularly interested in innovative ideas that can be sustained over time or that can be replicated elsewhere. Collaborative efforts which demonstrate broad community support and the ability to improve the quality of life within the community are highly encouraged.

In making decisions, the Foundation looks to the accomplishments of the applicant organization, the stability of its financial base, the strength of its leadership, and the long-term viability of the program in question. Approximately $100,000 in new grants are awarded each quarter. There is no fixed limit on the amount which may be requested, although awards rarely exceed $100,000 and most often, at this level, are considered as multi-year awards.

Types of support include special initiatives and projects, capital funds, challenge grants, and general operating support.GRANTMAKING REGION

*The Foundation considers applications primarily from the following New Jersey counties: Burlington, Camden, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Somerset.

Emphasis is given to organizations located within Mercer County.

APPLICATION DEADLINE DATES 2004

Application Deadline Dates	Funding Decision Dates
March 3 , 2005	May 20, 2005
May 5, 2005	July 22, 2005
August 4, 2005	October 21, 2005

APPLICATION PROCESS

Proposals are reviewed quarterly but may be submitted at any time of the year. Prior to submitting a formal application, organizations should write a brief (one-page) letter of inquiry regarding the project.

Personal interviews or site visits are not required but may be requested by the Foundation.

Seven copies of the final proposal package must be received at the Bunbury offices by 4:00 p.m. on the deadline date – without exception.

Faxed or e-mailed applications are not accepted.

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

Your proposal package must include the following information, arranged in this order:

1. Completed standard Bunbury application form (included with these guidelines.)
2. Cover letter signed by the organization’s Executive Director or Project Director.
3. One-page executive summary of the project which states:
   • the project’s purpose and goals
   • collaborative partners
   • total cost
   • amount of request.
4. Proposal narrative of no more than three pages that includes the following information:
   • brief history of organization including range of current programs and activities
   • description of the project including specific goals, objectives, and projected timeline
   • collaborative partners and community support for the project
   • ability to measure project outcomes
   • plan to complete/or sustain project funding (if application is for partial funding)
5. Profiles or resumes of organization and project staff.
6. List of current board of directors
7. Institutional funding sources of over $1,000.
8. IRS 501 (c) (3) Determination Letter or confirmation of publicly supported 509 (a) status.
9. Financial information:
   • Organization budget for current year
   • Actual year-end figures for previous year
   • Financial audit**
   • Detailed project budget for its complete duration

**Financial Audits must be dated no more than 18 months previous to the application deadline date. Proposal packages which do not include a current audit will not be considered for review under any circumstances.

Please do not submit materials which are not requested under Submission Requirements.

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

Proposal packages are considered incomplete and are not reviewed if any of the materials listed under Submission Requirements are not included.Seven copies of all materials, including Financial Audits, are required.

REVIEW PROCESS

Proposals will be reviewed by a joint committee of the Bunbury Company and its sister foundation, the Windham Foundation.

Proposals are evaluated using the following criteria:

1. Ability to make a positive impact on the target area and audience
2. Significance and depth of project
3. Feasibility – ability to complete the project successfully, within a realistic time frame, and according to budgeted goals
4. Ability to measure and evaluate proposed outcomes.

The Foundation’s participation in a project depends on an examination of other potential funding sources available to the organization, the status of operating funds, and other variable factors.

The Foundation does not rely solely on applications to determine the allocation of funds and may identify and make grants to programs without an active proposal. It may encourage some to apply who have not already done so.

All applicants will be notified by mail of the Foundation’s decision within 8-10 weeks after the deadline.

A report on the use of all grant funds must be submitted to the Bunbury Company within twelve months of the award or upon completion of the project.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

A copy of our application guidelines and form (in Adobe pdf format) can be downloaded from this site.

The Bunbury offices are located at 2 Railroad Place, Hopewell, N.J.
08525. Our phone number is (609) 333-8800 and our fax is (609) 333-8900.