Process

The Foundation uses a two-step, on-line application procedure. All requests for funding must be submitted to the Foundation electronically using the on-line system.

The first step in the application process is the creation of a user account and the submission of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) form. If the Trustees believe the LOI describes a program that meets the Foundation’s criteria, the applicant will be asked to complete the second step by submitting an on-line Application. Applicants who submit a complete LOI will be informed of the Foundation’s decision, whether or not a complete Application is requested.

Using the link below, the process begins with the creation of a user account.  Once an account has been established, you may sign in with your User ID and password. Creation of the user account requires contact information for the person establishing the account. This is the person to whom all correspondence will be addressed. You will also be asked to provide contact information for your organization’s executive director or chief operating officer

The LOI will ask, among other things, for the following information:

• a description of the program for which funding is requested;
• whether the program is aligned with the Foundation’s interest in early childhood literacy or the emotional well being of children. Please review the Focus Section of this web-site for more details;
• the primary audience the program will serve;
• the location where the program will be delivered;
• the amount you are requesting from the Foundation;
• the total program budget.

You will also be asked to provide a copy of your most recent IRS Form 990. If your organization is not required to complete a Form 990 (e.g., public library, religious institution) space is provided for an explanation. Please save and name the Form 990 using the convention of organization initials_type of document.file type. For example, ABC_990.pdf. If the Form 990 is not already in electronic form and must be converted from a paper copy, after logging in please refer to the Fax To File link within the LOI.

If you have additional documents, such as formal evaluations of the program, curricula, lesson plans, DVDs or news articles which support your request, please note that these will ONLY be Specific questions relating to the content of LOI questions may be submitted electronically directly to the Foundation using the form found on the Contact Us page of the Foundation web-site.

You may direct questions about any technical issues (e.g., a file won’t upload) related to the on-line process to onlinehelp @ shoolman.org.

If funds are awarded, the recipient will be required to sign a letter agreeing to the terms of the grant and submit a final report at the completion of the grant period. Any renewal requests will be considered only if a final report is received in a timely manner. For multi-year grants, receipt of a future installment will depend upon review and determination by the Foundation that the terms and conditions of the Grant Agreement are being met by the grantee.

Please note that the Foundation can only fund a fraction of the requests that are received. In many cases, excellent proposals will not be funded. A denial of funding is not necessarily a reflection on the program or proposal, but a result of the enormous needs of children in our society and a limit to the resources available to respond to such needs. Additional information regarding timing and deadlines may be found below under Timeframe.

The Trustees encourage you to review closely the Focus and Details pages of this website to insure an appropriate application.

To log-in and begin the application process, click here.

Timeframe

Letters Of Inquiry (LOI) will be accepted at any time. If the Foundation decides the request for funding is appropriate for further consideration, the applicant will be provided with access to the on-line application.

Supporting materials may be requested by the Foundation. In most cases, a site visit will be scheduled to discuss the project and to meet key members of the applicant’s organization.

If the LOI is accepted, it can take up to another 2-3 months for consideration of a completed application. Award checks are normally issued in the early summer and late fall. Please keep these timeframes in mind when applying for funding.

The Trustees, at their discretion, may defer consideration of a grant request to a future date.