Organizations wishing to apply for funds may submit a proposal to the Foundation Administrator via U.S. Mail or e-mail. The Minnesota Common Grant Application Form is accepted. Please send only one copy if mailing, and do not include DVDs, CDs or video tapes.

 The information requested is:

•  A brief description of the sponsoring organization and the dollar amount requested
• An outline of the plan and objectives of the project for which funding is sought, the specific activities and time frame of the project
• The expected impact that the activities will have in the community or upon the targeted population.  What difference will this project make?  Who will benefit from this project and why?  What niche does this project meet that is not being addressed by other programs?  What will be gained if the project is successful?  What will be learned if it is not?
• Plans for measuring the effectiveness and/or outcome(s) of proposed activities
• Names and qualifications of the staff who will carry out the project
• An explanation of how the funds would be spent, and the fundraising strategies related to this project including a listing of other resources committed to the project
• A description of how the project's objectives align with the mission of the Foundation
• The name, address, and phone number of the primary contact person for follow-up
• An estimated budget for the project,
• An overall budget for the organization
• A copy of the tax exemption letter from the Internal Revenue Service for the organization.

 Process for Review

 Review of applications by the Foundation's staff is a continuous process throughout the year.  Foundation staff review applicants’ materials, and will contact applicants and work with them if further information is needed before an application is presented to the Program Committee.

The Program Committee may decline a request based on the information provided and, in those cases, Foundation staff will notify the applicant that their request has been denied.

 If the Program Committee recommends that the Foundation Board review the request, staff may request additional information and, in some cases, request a meeting or site visit with the applicant.  Final approval of each grant is the responsibility of the Board of Directors, which meets at least quarterly each year.

Decisions regarding applications that are forwarded to the Board of Directors are final.  Grant applicants will receive written notice concerning Board decisions usually within 10 days following a Board meeting.  If a grant is approved, an award letter will be sent containing the Foundation’s Grant Agreement that states the grant period as well as the expectations of the grant including the stipulation that full reports of the progress of the project and its accomplishments, as well as financial reports, must be submitted by the grantee.  The applicant must accept the terms of the grant and sign the Agreement before any award payments begin.

The McNeely Foundation does not support requests benefiting individual applicants.