Grantmaking: How to Apply

Applying to The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation

How to Apply For Funding

The Board of Directors usually meets twice a year to award grants. Proposals should be received by March 15 for consideration at the spring meeting and by September 15 for consideration at the fall meeting.

The Foundation will accept applications for funding from qualified tax-exempt (501(c)(3)) nonprofit organizations. Send a short (two- to four-page) letter that includes the following information:

Amount requested from the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation
Description of the program where the funds will be used
Date by which funding should be received in order to accomplish the purpose of the grant
Both short and long term outcomes information
Description of how the program will support the mission and interests of the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation
Total program budget involved in the request
Other support for the program received, requested or expected from foundations, corporations, government or other revenue sources

Along with the letter, please enclose the following:

A copy of the organization’s current year budget
A copy of the organization’s most recent audited financial statements
The titles and annual salaries of the five highest paid staff members
A copy of the organization’s IRS tax status determination letter along with the organization’s federal Employee Identification Number (EIN)

Applications can be mailed to:

The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation
Five Tower Bridge, Suite 450
300 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Phone: 610-828-4510
Fax: 610-828-0390
Email: lenfestfoundation@lenfestfoundation.org

Foundation staff and/or board members will review applications for the potential to advance the Foundation’s objectives. If interested, they will contact the organization making the request to ask questions, request additional information and materials, or arrange a site visit.

Emphasis on Outcomes

The Brook J. Lenfest Foundation believes it is important to support only organizations and programs that demonstrate effectiveness through documented outcomes, especially since the number of grant requests has been increasing.

In order for the Brook J. Lenfest Foundation to consider funding, it will be important for you to provide information about the impact of your organization or the specific program for which you are requesting funding on the clients you serve. Program evaluations that show direct cause and effect and compare results against control or peer groups are preferred.