1. Do you only fund internationally?
No. We consider it a priority to fund where children are vulnerable and in need of help through no fault of their own. This is often in developing countries, but we also continue to welcome grant proposals from the United States.    

2. What is 501(c)(3) status?  And what if we do not have it?
Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) status is the U.S. Department of the Treasury designation given to qualified not-for-profit organizations in the United States. We require that a copy of the 501(c)(3) ruling accompany all proposals. If you do not have 501(c)(3) status, we cannot fund you directly. If you have not received the 501(c)(3) ruling, you will need to affiliate with a qualified 501(c)(3) organization that is willing to accept expenditure responsibility.

3. What if our organization does not have an audited financial statement or annual report?
If you do not have an audited financial statement, you may send the Foundation an unaudited financial report which itemizes all of your income and expenses for the most recent calendar year.  If you do not have an annual report, please include any brochures, newspaper articles, newsletters or related materials that are available.

4. Can I email our proposal to you?
Yes.  We prefer that your proposal is emailed to the Foundation.  

5. Can I apply for a multi-year grant?
Yes, but the Foundation seldom makes multi-year grants. When multi-year grants are made, the second and subsequent years of funding are contingent upon the grantee successfully completing the required grant evaluation report, which is due one year from the original award date.

6. Can I still apply if my request benefits children and adults?
Yes, but the primary beneficiaries must be children.  Please submit a Letter of Inquiry on this matter before submitting a full proposal for qualifying purposes.

7. Can I get help if I have never written a proposal before?
Yes.  After reading your Letter of Inquiry and determining that your project may be considered for funding, the Foundation will help you with the necessary information and supply you with a general format for your proposal.  Please use our general proposal outline, found under Grant Seekers.

8. Do you accept phone calls?
Yes, we are nearly always on hand to answer phone calls during Eastern Time zone business hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

9. How long does the review process take?
A decision is usually made within three months of its receipt.  You will receive notification by email or postal mail within two weeks after the decision by the Board of Trustees.

10. Do you have proposal deadlines?
No.  Proposals are being considered on a regular basis. 

11. How can I find out the status of my proposal?
If you have not heard from us for more than three months since you mailed your proposal, you may contact us by phone or email about the status of your proposal.

12. Can we make an appointment to meet with you?
If you would like to meet with staff in the Rochester, New York office, you are welcome to contact us to make an appointment.  However, an office visit is not necessary in order to be considered for a grant.  

13. Do you make site visits as part of the proposal review process?
While the Trustees and Foundation Executive make occasional site visits, a site visit is not always a condition of the review process.

14. How do you define a child?
We typically fund programs for children through the age of 18.