Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants

FAQ San Marcos Community Foundation

12/28/2010

What are the deadlines for grant applications?
What size grants does the Foundation generally make?
What is the difference between a mini-grant and a regular grant from the General Fund?
Do you fund program requests?
Is there a better chance of getting a grant if I apply at a specific time of year?
How often can we apply to the Foundation?
If a big change occurs within our organization after we submit the proposal, should we contact you?
Do you need multiple copies of the application? Should they be bound?
What happens after an application is received?
How long does it take to get a grant?
When will I know if our proposal has been funded?
Does the Foundation award multi-year grants?

Answer 1. We have an annual calendar that shows all the deadlines for the year. We will NOT be making grants from our General Fund until August 2011, due to economic conditions.

Answer 2. Most of our grants are less than $5,000. A growing segment is our mini-grant program which is a simple application, decided monthly, for a maximum $1,500.

Answer 3. Mini-grants are for requests of up to $1,500. Applications are received each grantmaking month of the year, are simpler, and can be decided by the Grants Committee. They are intended to be a quicker, easier method of getting a donation into the hands of a non-profit serving San Marcos while still maintaining proper oversight. Regular grants are for requests greater than $1,500 (our largest is $10,000). These requests are reviewed by the Grants Committee, assigned to a member for follow-up, and sent to the full Board with a recommendation.

Answer 4. Yes.

Answer 5. No.

Answer 6. Mini Grants are limited to 2 grants a year and Regular Grants are limited to 2 grants a year. An agency may not apply for a Regular Grant that it is applying for a Mini Grant .

Answer 7. Yes. We would expect you to keep us apprised.

Answer 8. One copy is fine. Please do not bind.

Answer 9. It is reviewed for completeness, then distributed to the Grants Committee for review, and then to the entire Board.

Answer 10. Consult the calendar.

Answer 11. Following our decision, a letter will be sent notifying you of the grant and reporting requirements.

Answer 12. No.

Eligibility

Do we have to be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization to apply?

What is a fiscal sponsor and how do I get one?

What information do you require from a fiscal sponsor?

Do you give grants to organizations outside of San Diego County?

Does the Foundation fund faith-based organizations?

What if an organization serves a distinct segment of the community’s population, such as seniors, youths, a specific ethnic group, etc.?

Answer 1. If you are not, you must have a fiscal sponsor.

Answer 2. A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that acts as a sponsor for a project or group that does not have its own tax-exempt status. Grants or contributions are made to the fiscal sponsor which manages the funds. In the case of a grant, the fiscal sponsor is responsible for reporting back to the foundation on the progress of the project.

To find a fiscal sponsor look for nonprofits whose missions are similar to yours. You might start with your current affiliations.

Answer 3. The fiscal sponsor is required to complete the application for a grant and provide all of the necessary documentation including the final report on the project.

Answer 4. All grants from our General Endowment Fund and Wildlife Fund must go to serve San Marcos residents.

Answer 5. We have funded programs serving San Marcos residents which may be operated by faith-based organizations, but we do not fund faith activities.

Answer 6. We welcome applications for programs addressing the needs of a variety of under-served populations in San Marcos.

Top Photo: The Barn at Walnut Grove Park, San Marcos, California, by Barbara Thompson

San Marcos Community Foundation
City of San Marcos
1 Civic Center Drive
San Marcos, CA 92069
760.744.1050 Ext. 3120