ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
In order to be eligible for consideration of funding, applicants must be a nonprofit organization that is operated for charitable purposes as defined and recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 and are required to provide a copy of the IRS determination letter stating that are tax exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, 509(a) tax-exempt public institutions such as schools, churches, hospitals, etc. that are determined to be tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code can be considered.
Delaplaine Foundation, Inc. DOES NOT fund
Individual scholarships
Government agencies
Organizations without an (EIN)
For-Profit Businesses
APPROVAL PROCESS
All applications received by the annual October 1st deadline will be reviewed by Foundation staff and designated members of the Board of Trustees who may contact applicants with requests for additional information or clarification before presenting a summary and funding recommendation to the full Board of Trustees.
Applications are assessed based on the following criteria:
- Alignment with Delaplaine Foundation’s mission statement
and funding areas of focus - Collaboration with other nonprofits and funders
- Capacity to carry out proposed projects and services
- Relevance to specific needs
- Sustainability of the program, service and organization overall
- The ability to achieve measurable results and demonstration impact
Attention Grant Seekers – Updated Grant-Making Practices
Beginning with the 2024 grant cycle, per unanimous consent of its Board of Trustees, Delaplaine Foundation will narrow the geographical reach of four of the six funding sectors, and will limit the number of grant applications an organization can submit within the one-year grant cycle. Specifically, Delaplaine Foundation will limit grant awards in the following four sectors of our giving focus to program or projects that impact Frederick County residents: Cultural Arts, Education, Health and Human Services. Grant applications for Historical Preservation and Spiritual Enlightenment programs or projects in Frederick County AND surrounding regions will continue to be considered. Also starting in 2024, nonprofit organizations will be limited to submitting ONE grant application in the upcoming grant cycle. We take these actions in order to increase local impact, and to ensure sustainability.
We understand that these new policies might negatively impact certain long-term partnerships that have been established since the founding of Delaplaine Foundation. However, after receiving a record number of grant applications for 2023, it became clear that Board action was necessary to make sure Delaplaine Foundation can continue supporting the local community in ways that are meaningful. Please know that if your nonprofit organization offers programming that benefits Frederick County residents, you will still be able to submit a single grant application in our upcoming grant cycle. For questions regarding these new policies, please email Program Manager Blair Wilson at bwilson@delaplainefoundation.org.
HOW TO APPLY
In order to apply for grant funding, simply click on the link below which will take you to our online application portal. Applicants will then be led, step by step through setting up an organizational profile, setting your own confidential password and then can then begin their application. The application can be completed in one session, or you may begin the application, save your work, and return to complete the process. Once complete, you may upload financial information and other required documentation and submit your application for review.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT A GRANT APPLICATION
Below are examples of LOI questions, along with older Renewal and First-Time Applicant applications. These are provided as examples of what our grant applications will look like. Please click the button above to access the Grantee Portal and our current grant applications.
LOI Questions (PDF)
Renewal Grant Application (PDF) | (Word)
First Time Applicant Grant Application (PDF) | (Word)