The foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations through one of two grant strategies: annual competitive grants or designated capacity building projects. Organizations may apply for only one type of grant in the same calendar year.
Organizations are strongly encouraged to contact the Executive Director 4-6 weeks prior to submitting a proposal.

Annual Competitive Grants:
Annual competitive grants should reflect the funding priority interests of the foundation as outlined above. These grants may be for a time-limited program, expansion or to pilot a new strategy. Requests for unrestricted operating support may receive lower priority. Generally, competitive grants are awarded for one year; a limited number of multi-year awards may be negotiated. The foundation will continue to give priority to organizations that seek innovative methods for addressing ongoing or emerging community needs. Collaborative solutions will receive higher consideration.
Organizations that have received three consecutive competitive grants may not be eligible for additional funding for one calendar year.  Please check with the Foundation. 

(These guidelines have been relaxed due to the current COVID-19 crisis. See the banner at the top of the home page.)

Capacity Building Grants:
High performance organizations understand the key components of organizational capacity and continually seek to strengthen each area. They include: governance and leadership, mission and strategy, program delivery, impact and accountability, strategic relationships, resource development and internal operations and management. Implicit in these core areas are human resource management, knowledge management, risk assessment and planning,  technology infrastructure, legal, fiscal and public accountability and collaboration.

The Foundation is committed to the long-term viability of many of the organizations it has historically supported. A limited number of capacity building grants will be awarded each year, with preference to organizations who have previously received competitive support. Providing targeted support for organizational development increases an organization’s ability to create, deliver, expand, evaluate and modify effective services. Grants may be extended for up to three years depending on the successful completion of annual program objectives. Organizations engaged in capacity building projects are not eligible for simultaneous annual competitive grants.

All organizations must submit one (1) hard copy and one (1) electronic copy of the following information:

Summary Face Sheet:

• Full contact information including your organization’s name, contact person’s name and title, mailing address, phone number, email address and website address if available.
• Type of grant requested and Program Summary (e.g., core service, expansion, new service, etc.)
• Program timeframe
• Amount requested from the Foundation, how the funds will be applied and total program budget

New applicants to the Jackson Foundation:
In an effort to get to know you better, we are asking for a complete profile of your organization and request that you provide the following information:

• Organization mission and history
• Demographic makeup of your board and of the community members you serve (e.g., gender, race, income level, age, sexual orientation, etc).  How does your Board ensure an inclusive recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership and represents the community you serve?
• Description of services offered and how they are provided.  What geographical areas or neighborhoods do you serve?  If applicable, is this request to serve a targeted neighborhood or community? Does the community participate in program planning?
• How does the community learn about your organization and services? How are clients identified and referred to your organization? What are the project operating hours? Describe your organization’s physical space in relation to the program.  Are there restrictions of access that inhibit easy use of program services (e.g., transportation, technology, etc.)?
• How many people are served annually by your organization and the program? What types of information are reported to your supporters and how frequently?
• Problem or need to be addressed by this proposal and how your clients or constituents are affected.  What assets exist in the community that can be leveraged to support and/or increase your  impact?
• Specific strategies and activities this proposal will enable you to implement to impact the problem. How will clients benefit? What resources are needed to provide the services? What other community partners are you collaborating with to deliver effective services?
• What assets or skill sets make your organization best suited to address the stated problem or need? Are other organizations providing similar services to your constituency; is there any duplication of effort?
• What, if any, staffing challenges do you face to effectively provide services? If applicable, in what ways are you working to diversify your organization’s board and/or staff?
• How will the program’s “success” be defined in measurable terms? Describe how the program outcomes will be collected, analyzed, and reported. (Note: The evaluation plan is an important element in determining potential Foundation support.) How will this work be sustained both financially and organizationally after Jackson Foundation funds are expended?

(Please use these elements as a guideline depending on the type of support you are requesting – program-specific or general operating funds)

All organizations should provide the following financial data:

• A program budget that includes a detailed revenue and expense plan, committed sources of support, in-kind contributions and other pending grant applications. The expense plan should be accompanied by a budget narrative that describes each line in the budget and how the cost was determined.
• Current approved organization operating budget including both planned and year to date actual revenue and expenses. A statement of cash flow should be included.
• Previous year operating budget including both planned and actual results.
• Describe your current financial health and the impact of COVID-19. Describe anticipated revenue challenges for the next fiscal year.

Please do NOT send copies of the following information.  The foundation will access these documents from GuideStar:

• Current list of Board of Directors
• Copy of IRS determination letter.
• Copy of the most recent IRS 990.
• Copy of the annual audit or financial report if available.
• An updated profile on GuideStar is required for consideration of your grant application. We strongly encourage organizations to be working toward a Gold level profile on GuideStar.

Proposal Deadline:
Annual Competitive Grants – June 1st* received by 5:00pm
Capacity Building Grants – June 1st* received by 5:00pm
Mail hard copy to Jill McCormick at our physical address as noted below.  Email electronic copy to Jill McCormick at [email protected] and Becky Sirpis at [email protected]

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, please do not hand deliver hard copy.
*Should the proposal deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, proposals will be accepted no later than the following business day.

Foundation Response:
Annual Competitive Grants – 2nd week October
Capacity Building Grants – 2nd week October

Grant Reporting Requirements
All grantees are required to submit progress reports within one year of receipt of funds. Viewed as a self-evaluation, each organization should specify in their own format how grant funds were used, whether Foundation funding leveraged other community support, anticipated and unexpected outcomes of the program and how the activities will be sustained in the future. At a minimum, reports should address the elements of the evaluation plan submitted in the proposal narrative. Specific grants may have additional reporting requirements. Grant reporting must be satisfactorily completed before additional grant requests will be considered by the Foundation.

Correspondence
Grants and Reports should be submitted to:

The Jackson Foundation
Attn: Executive Director
104 Shockoe Slip
Suite 2B
Richmond, VA 23219

All organizations must submit one (1) hard copy and one (1) electronic copy of the following information:

Summary Face Sheet:

• Full contact information including  your organization’s name, contact person’s name and title, mailing address, phone number, email address and website address if available.
• Type of grant requested and Program Summary (e.g., core service, expansion, new service, etc.)
• Program timeframe
• Amount requested from the Foundation, how the funds will be applied and total program budget

Current and former grantees:
In an effort to help streamline the application process, please describe the current state of your organization and how the Jackson Foundation’s support will impact service delivery.  Please include the following elements:

• Any change in mission, community served, or other critical organizational challenges
• Update on current services and how you evaluate their impact
• Update on demographics of both the community members you serve and your board of directors. How does your Board ensure an inclusive recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership and represents the community you serve?
• What strategies are being discussed or implemented in your organization to address enhanced access to services; how do your constituents provide input to the program planning and evaluation process?
• Request for funds – program-specific or general operating

All organizations should provide the following financial data:

• A program budget that includes a detailed revenue and expense plan, committed sources of support, in-kind contributions and other pending grant applications. The expense plan should be accompanied by a budget narrative that describes each line in the budget and how the cost was determined.
• Current approved organization operating budget including both planned and year to date actual revenue and expenses. A statement of cash flow should be included.
• Previous year operating budget including both planned and actual results.
• Describe your current financial health and the impact of COVID-19. Describe anticipated financial challenges for the next fiscal year.

Organizations applying for Capacity Building support should also include:

• A statement outlining the specific need for capacity building support and how the proposed project will enable your organization to deliver more effective services
• Is this request board driven and if not, does staff have the full support of the board to pursue this request and implement anticipated recommendations?
• Does the organization have a current strategic plan that provides direction for the next three years?

Please do NOT send copies of the following information.  The foundation will access these documents from GuideStar:

• Current list of Board of Directors
• Copy of IRS determination letter.
• Copy of the most recent IRS 990.
• Copy of the annual audit or financial report if available.
• An updated profile on GuideStar is required for consideration of your grant application. We strongly encourage organizations to be working toward a Gold level profile on GuideStar.

Proposal Deadline:
Annual Competitive Grants – June 1st* received by 5:00pm
Capacity Building Grants – June 1st* received by 5:00pm
Mail hard copy to Jill McCormick at our physical address as noted below.  Email electronic copy to Jill McCormick at [email protected] and Becky Sirpis at [email protected]

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, please do not hand deliver hard copy.
*Should the proposal deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, proposals will be accepted no later than the following business day.

Foundation Response:
Annual Competitive Grants – 2nd week October
Capacity Building Grants – 2nd week October

Grant Reporting Requirements
All grantees are required to submit progress reports within one year of receipt of funds. Viewed as a self-evaluation, each organization should specify in their own format how grant funds were used, whether Foundation funding leveraged other community support, anticipated and unexpected outcomes of the program and how the activities will be sustained in the future. At a minimum, reports should address the elements of the evaluation plan submitted in the proposal narrative. Specific grants may have additional reporting requirements. Grant reporting must be satisfactorily completed before additional grant requests will be considered by the Foundation.

Correspondence
Grants and Reports should be submitted to:

The Jackson Foundation
Attn: Executive Director
104 Shockoe Slip
Suite 2B
Richmond, VA 23219

In 2014, the YWCA Richmond announced the Pat Asch Fellowship for Social Justice in honor of former Executive Director of the YWCA Richmond and Jackson Foundation, Patricia Morris Asch. The Fellowship is designed to support the work or professional development of a woman who, like Pat, has a vision for change in her own life and the drive to make positive change in the Greater Richmond community.

The Jackson Foundation is proud to fund the Pat Asch fellowship. Applications and fellowship awards are administered by the Richmond YWCA. More information can be found at the YWCA website.