The Foundation is committed to working in partnership with all grantseekers throughout the application process. This process has been designed to encourage consultation and collaboration between grantseekers and the Foundation and to minimize the steps necessary to complete a request. All organizations considering applying to Saint Luke’s Foundation are encouraged to call with any questions that arise during the application process.

 

Get Acquainted Meetings

 

While optional, the Foundation staff welcomes the opportunity to meet with prospective applicants to talk about possible collaborations with the Foundation. These appointments, called Get Acquainted Meetings, are scheduled prior to Letter Of Inquiry submission in order to

• Determine which of an organization’s funding priorities is the best match with the Foundation’s mission
• Introduce Foundation staff to a new organization or program or a key staff member at the organization
• Provide prospective applicants with detailed information regarding the Foundation’s mission and interests
• Work through the elements of a project that is in its formative stages

Organizations may submit only one Letter Of Inquiry per grant cycle. Get Acquainted Meetings often help an organization determine which of its funding priorities/proposed projects is the strongest match with the Foundation’s mission. If a project is in its formative stages, a Get Acquainted Meeting can also help the organization work through program design— it is expected at the point of an Letter Of Inquiry submission that the body of a project is in place. To schedule a Get Acquainted Meeting, contact the Foundation’s office at 216-431-8010.

 

 

 

Step 1: The Letter of Inquiry

 

The application process begins with the submission of a Letter Of Inquiry (LOI). The LOI summarizes the problem to be addressed, proposed activities, amount requested, anticipated outcomes, and capacity of the applicant organization to successfully implement the proposed program. All LOIs are reviewed by program staff to determine if there is a reasonable match between the proposed project and the Foundation’s mission. Click Here for more details.

 

Step 2: The Site Visit

 

If the proposed project is determined to be within the Foundation’s areas of interest, a site visit is scheduled. The site visit provides Foundation staff with detailed information used to determine if the proposed project should be presented to the Foundation’s board for funding consideration. Additionally, site visits provide an opportunity for Foundation staff to update prospective grantees on the Foundation’s initiatives and activities. In general, site visits are held at the applicant organization’s location. The applicant organization is encouraged to set the agenda for the site visit; however, the visit is informal and intended to assist Foundation staff in determining if a formal proposal will be requested. Click Here for more details.

 

Step 3: Proposal Submission and Review

 

Following the site visit, Foundation staff request proposals for those projects that are a strong match with the Foundation’s mission. Quarterly logic model trainings are held to assist applicants in completing this key component of the proposal. Proposals are reviewed by program staff and prepared with recommendations for presentation to the Board of Trustee’s Grant Committee and the full Board. As a function of the partnership between the Foundation and the applicant, Saint Luke’s Foundation staff members are available to offer support and guidance throughout proposal preparation. Applicants are highly encouraged to consult the Foundation with any questions that arise. Click Here for more details.

 

Who Can Apply

 

Applicants must either be an organization designated as nonprofit under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or a governmental unit or agency.

 

The Foundation does not fund:

• Individuals
• Religious organizations for religious or evangelical purposes
• Projects outside Greater Cleveland that do not directly benefit Cleveland residents
• Fundraising events
• Endowment funds
• Biomedical research
• Debt retirement
• Lobbying

 

STAFF DISCRETIONARY GRANTS

 

Foundation program staff make discretionary grants of up to $20,000 for smaller, time-sensitive projects. Applicants follow the same application process, including the Letter of Inquiry, site visit and proposal. However, discretionary grants are reviewed on a rolling basis and can be approved following staff review.