The application process will consider the following criteria when determining whether an organization will receive financial support from the Community Foundation Legal Support Fund.

Applicant and Grantmaking Criteria

Primary Grantmaking Criteria

Applications will be evaluated on the case's potential for widespread impact on the operations of the community foundation field. Additional judgements will be based on the following criteria:

• Community foundations are encouraged to apply. Other public grantmaking organizations may be eligible on a case-by-case basis, if the case or action impacts the community foundation field.

• Organization facing the threat of legal action, a lawsuit, government inquiry or audit, or similar issues where access to legal services is needed.

• Applicants’ need for grant funding from the Fund to support related services.

Secondary Grantmaking Criteria

The following factors also may be taken into consideration when reviewing applications:

• The number of applications to be considered for funding.

• The possibility of continuing funding into a second or additional fiscal year.

• The demands for funds for other projects of importance to the Fund.

• Applicants’ compliance with Community Foundations National Standards.

• The strength of applicants’ legal case.

Applications

Applicants must complete an online application form that requests the following information:

• Applicant information: contact information, geographic service area, annual budget size, etc.

• Summary statement: a brief history behind the request, parties involved, and facts that support the request.

• Estimated costs: expected dollar amount of legal assistance requested and information about other sources of financial support.

• Broad philanthropic impact: description of how an outcome in the case could impact the broad community foundation and public grantmaking field.

Legal counsel and other staff for the Fund will review initial applications to determine those that meet the applicant criteria. The initial submission process is designed to encourage thoughtful applications, increase fairness, and reduce potential bias and administrative burden later in the grant process. Those organizations that do meet those criteria will be asked to provide additional information that will be consolidated for the Committee’s review and recommendation.

Organizations will be notified of the status of their application no later than 90 days after their submission.

Grant Process

An Advisory Committee comprised of community foundations leaders from across the country will review applications for support monthly and make funding recommendations. Information identifying applicant organizations will not be shared with Advisory Committee members ahead of reviewing and deliberating grant applications.

Grant funds are paid directly to the requesting 501(c)(3) organization and should be viewed as support to the organization, not the CFLSF paying for the legal or other services of the outside counsel or consultant hired by the applicant. Considering potential demand for financial support from CFLSF, initial grant allocations generally will not exceed $100,000 per applicant. Applicants may request additional support from the Fund after the initial grant and the Committee will review the request. Applicants will be allowed to apply for additional support after the receipt of the initial grant award. There will be no multi-year grants awarded in the first year of the Fund.