The foundation provides support to nonprofit agencies through one of two grant strategies: annual competitive grants or designated capacity building projects. Agencies may apply for only one type of grant in the same calendar year.

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 project, program expansion or to test a pilot program. Requests for general operating support are highly discouraged. Generally, competitive grants will support projects for one year; a limited number of multi-year awards may be negotiated. Agencies receiving three consecutive competitive grants may Not apply for additional funding for one calendar year. The foundation will continue to give priority to agencies that seek innovative methods for addressing ongoing or emerging community needs. Collaborative solutions will receive higher consideration.

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

Capacity Building Grants:
High performance agencies 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, technology infrastructure, legal, fiscal and public accountability and collaboration.

The Foundation is committed to the long-term viability of many of the agencies it has historically supported. A limited number of capacity building grants will be awarded each year, with preference to agencies who have previously received competitive support. Providing targeted support for organizational development increases an agency’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 project objectives. Agencies engaged in capacity building projects are Not eligible for simultaneous annual competitive grants.

Agencies applying for capacity building support are strongly encouraged to contact the Executive Director 4-6 weeks prior to submitting a proposal.

All agencies must submit one (1) hard copy and one (1) electronic copy – pdfs, word documents, excel files – of the following information:

Summary Face Sheet:

• Full contact information including agency name, contact person name and title, mailing address, phone number, email address and website address if available.
• Type of grant requested and Project Summary
• Project timeframe
• Amount requested from the Foundation, how the funds will be applied and total project budget

A two to four page narrative that includes:

• Agency mission and history
• Description of services offered and how they are provided. How does the community learn about the agency and the project? How are clients identified and referred to the agency and the project? What are the project operating hours? Describe the agency’s physical space in relation to the project.
• How many people are served annually by the agency and the project? What types of information are reported to agency supporters and how
  frequently?
• Problem or need to be addressed by grant and how agency clients or constituents are affected.
• What assets or skill sets does the agency possess which makes it best suited to address the stated problem or need? Are other agencies providing
  similar services to your constituency; is there any duplication of effort?
• Specific strategies and activities the proposed project will implement to positively impact the problem. How will clients benefit? How will the project operate? What resources are needed to provide the proposed services? Are other community partners required to deliver effective services?
• Define the proposed project results in measurable terms. How will “success” be defined? Describe how the project outcomes will be collected,
  analyzed and reported. (Note: The evaluation plan of the proposed project is an important element in determining potential Foundation support) How will the proposed project be sustained both financially and organizationally after the Foundation funding period is completed?

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

Agency Financials:

• A project 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 agency 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.

Agencies applying for Capacity Building support should also include:

• A statement outlining the specific need for capacity building support.
• How will the proposed project enable your agency to deliver more effective programs?
• 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 agency 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 the ConnectVA Nonprofit Directory:

• 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 the ConnectVA Nonprofit Directory is strongly recommended for consideration of your grant application.

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 jmccormick@jacksonf.org.

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 agency should specify in their own format how grant funds were used, whether Foundation funding leveraged other community support, anticipated and unexpected outcomes of the project 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.