Dunham Fund Grant Guidelines and Application Process

Defining the Dunham Difference

A NEW Grant Application

The Dunham Fund has developed a new grant application, effective for the second grant cycle of 2010. The grant criteria are essentially the same but the guidelines, application information, and questions have been reorganized to stress the funding priorities of the Dunham Fund … those priorities that define the "Dunham Difference." The grant application process still begins with a Letter of Inquiry, but note that the questions for the letter have also been rewritten and reordered to reflect the Fund's grant making goals.

The Dunham Fund's primary grant making goal is to measurably and permanently impact the Dunham Fund service area through start up support of new or uniquely enhanced educational and community development programs and capital projects that address a documented need and are innovative, collaborative and potentially self-sustaining, while being purposefully designed to effect positive change through close alignment with the missions of the grant seeking organization and the Dunham Fund. Those grant proposals that closely adhere to this grant making goal and to the grant guidelines and application procedures are most likely to be considered for and receive funding.

Preference is given to grant applicant organizations located in the Dunham Fund's service area. Grant applicants outside the service area may also be considered if the project can demonstrate significant impact within the Dunham Fund's service area. On occasion, the Dunham Fund proactively approaches and funds organizations to develop particularly innovative, collaborative, and "cutting edge" programs to address critical needs in its service area.

Grants are ordinarily made for one year only and are currently limited to $1 million, though some requests are for as little as $5,000. The Dunham Fund encourages the participation of others in funding projects, and on occasion provides matching funds and challenge grants in an attempt to stimulate increased response from other sources.

How the Grant Application Process Begins

The Dunham Fund Grant Application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry signed by the organization's Board Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and submitted by February 1 or June 1, during two annual grant cycles.

• Read the NEW Dunham Fund Grant Guidelines and Application carefully before completing the Letter of Inquiry. Note that the questions for the Letter of Inquiry have been reworded and reordered to more clearly reflect the grant making goals of the Dunham Fund.
• Read each Letter of Inquiry question carefully. There are numbered references to information in the Grant Guidelines and Application that will help you describe the program or project more effectively in your letter. Answer the Letter of Inquiry questions in numbered order.
• Before submitting a Letter of Inquiry to the Dunham Fund, you can contact the Executive Director to discuss your proposed project. It can be most helpful to both organizations if your letter is previewed before submission.
• The Letter of Inquiry will be reviewed and a written Invitation to Apply will be extended by The Dunham Fund to approved applicants. These selected organizations will be asked to complete a full grant application to be submitted by the first business day in May (Grant Cycle I) or October (Grant Cycle II).