All organizations seeking grant funding from The Harvest Foundation must apply through the Foundation’s two-stage application process. Those seeking funds are strongly encouraged to contact the Foundation’s office prior to submitting the initial Letter of Inquiry. Please determine that your organization meets the Foundation’s basic requirements for funding and that the program/project fits within the Foundation’s guidelines before proceeding.

1. The Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is the first stage of the application process. This document provides Foundation staff with preliminary information in order to assess whether or not the request given further consideration. It is critical that the applicant address the questions thoroughly within the framework of the LOI document.

Applicants must submit the LOI and all required documents in both electronic and printed versions to the Foundation by the stated deadline. The LOI must be signed by both the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chair of the Board.

Once the LOI is deemed complete, the Foundation will begin its review process.  Based on LOI information received, the Foundation will invite approved organizations to submit a Full Proposal (step 2).

Although the Foundation welcomes Letters of Inquiry at any time throughout the year, we establish deadlines that coincide with our Board schedule. Submitting a LOI by the deadline date does not guarantee Foundation Board consideration at the next grant Board meeting.

Please note that not all LOIs submitted will be invited to Full Proposal.

2. The Full Proposal is the second stage of the application process. Once an organization is invited to submit a Full Proposal, the Full Proposal template will be emailed to the contact person noted on the LOI. No Full Proposals will be accepted without a written invitation from the Foundation.

The Full Proposal document asks for additional information such as expansion of the identified need to be addressed, project description, organization’s mission/history/governance, financial information, and program goals/objectives.

Applicants must submit the Full Proposal and all required documents in both electronic and printed versions to the Foundation by the stated deadline. The Full Proposal must be signed by both the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and the Chair of the Board.

Once the Full Proposal is deemed complete, the Foundation will begin its review process.  During the review process, the Foundation program officer assigned will be in close communication with the organization concerning the proposal.

Decisions regarding the approval or decline of any Full Proposal are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Applicants should not lobby Board members at any time during the application process. Submitting a Full Proposal by the deadline date does not guarantee Foundation Board consideration at the next grant board meeting.

If a request for funding is approved, the Foundation will notify the organization of this approval in writing. A Letter of Agreement will mailed to the organization’s Chief Executive Officer noted on the Full Proposal. Returning a signed copy of this Letter constitutes an agreement to the terms and conditions of the grant. No organization shall make any expenditures or financial commitments until the Letter of Agreement has been returned to the Foundation. Any expenditures or financial commitments made prior to the return of the Letter of Agreement can not be funded by the grant.

Organizations receiving grants will be required to submit mid-year and annual written reports to the Foundation regarding the use of grant funds consistent with the terms and conditions of the Letter of Agreement. Evaluation forms are posted on the website and will be supplied to the grantee by the Foundation. Depending on the type of grant award, more frequent reporting may be required by the Foundation. Monitoring of the grant by the Foundation will include site visits and interviews with the grantee's staff.