Grant Distribution Guidelines
In order to be considered for a grant from the Kelly Foundation you must review the guidelines prior to submitting a completed application.
Download the Kelly Foundation Grant Distribution Guidelines (.pdf)
Our Goal
The Kelly Foundation intends to actively seek projects to sponsor, as well as to be responsive to grant applications. Organizations can seek grants for ongoing projects, one-time projects, or operational needs. Grant requests of all dollar amounts will be considered, and minimum grants should be in the range of $10,000.
Our Grant Recipient Focus Areas
Children, Youth Assistance & Education
Food Insecurity
Homelessness
Health and Human Services
Conservation, Open Space and Climate
Emergency Grants
Our Key Criteria and Considerations
- How many people will benefit from the project;
- How many local volunteers are supporting the organization and the project;
- The commitment and composition of the organization’s Board of Directors or Board of Trustees;
- The extent to which the applicant complements the services of other community organizations;
- The organization’s fiscal responsibility and management qualifications;
- The ability of the organization to provide ongoing funding after the term of the grant;
- The extent to which the program addresses underlying causes, rather than just symptoms of specific problems; and
- How well the organization plans to monitor and evaluate the results of the projects.
Single Year Grant vs. Multiyear
Grants are generally made for one (1) year only, though a limited number of multi-year grants (2) may be made available.
Ineligible Grant Areas
The Kelly Foundation will not consider grants to the following types of organizations or for the following purposes:
- Religious organizations for explicit religious activities, as distinguished from social or educational activities;
- Political organizations or political campaigns;
- Fraternal organizations, labor, societies, or orders;
- Telephone solicitations; and
- National fund-raising efforts.
Application
The application procedure is described on the application form. An agency funded by the Foundation must agree to submit a timely report on the use of the grant, based on its proposal. The Foundation should be informed of any major changes in the program or staff.
Grant Timelines
The Distribution Committee meets quarterly to consider applications and make grants. However, an organization may apply only once a year, regardless of what action is taken. Organizations awarded grants will be notified by mail.
The annual deadline dates for submission of an application are:
| Application Deadline | Decision Date |
|---|---|
| October 15 | November 15 |
| January 15 | February 15 |
| April 15 | May 15 |
| July 15 | August 15 |