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Welcome > FAQs

FAQs

General

Requests For Funding

Letters of Inquiry

Proposals

 

General

How do I apply for funding from the Tower Foundation?

A request for funding begins with a Letter of Inquiry. However, each funding category has its own application procedures and deadlines. Please refer to the specific grant guidelines for individual funding categories under the What We Fund section for more information.

Can I apply online?

No. Online applications are not accepted. Please refer to the grant guidelines in a specific funding category for more information.

Can I meet or talk with someone from the Foundation's office?

Yes. Potential grantees are encouraged to first review the information provided on the website and to then contact Foundation staff if additional information is needed.

Does the Foundation staff make site visits?

Yes. Site visits are used to gather more information about a specific project or organization. Site visits are also often made after funds are awarded to determine if the terms and conditions of the grant are being met and if the goals of the grant are likely to be achieved.

What is an appropriate amount to request when submitting a project?

Each organization must determine its own needs and present a realistic budget for the project that is being submitted for consideration. The Foundation does not have fixed minimum or maximum grant awards. However, requests should be large enough to make the rigors of project planning and proposal review worthwhile, while also being within the Foundation’s capabilities.

Does the Foundation prefer to fund projects rather than ongoing operation costs?

Yes. Priority is given to projects where the incremental costs, i.e., the costs that are new to the organization as a result of the proposed project, are a substantial portion of the budget.

Does the Foundation award multi-year grants?

Yes. Multi-year grant requests are encouraged.

Does the Foundation fund religious or faith-based organizations?

Requests from faith-based organizations are evaluated on the same basis as all other requests.

Does the Foundation fund capital projects?

No.

Does the Foundation make grants to endowments?

No.

Does the Foundation make challenge grants?

No.

Does the Foundation fund individuals?

The Foundation does not consider requests for grants to individuals.

Requests For Funding

To whom do I speak if I have questions regarding a letter of inquiry or proposal?

The Foundation's Program Officers or Executive Director.

May I mail the request on the deadline date and still meet the deadline?

No. All materials must be received by the deadline date and time.

May I hand deliver or have a courier service or an organization such as Fed Ex deliver the proposal or letter of inquiry?

Yes, as long as the materials are received by the deadline date and time.

May I submit a partial request in order to meet the deadline and send the rest later?

No. All materials and information must be received by the deadline date and time.

Is information in my proposal shared with anyone besides Foundation staff?
By submitting a proposal to the Foundation, you, as the applicant or its duly authorized representative, hereby agree and consent that the Foundation may disclose to any employee, trustee or professional representative of the Foundation, or to other potential funding sources or their representatives for possible collaboration, the proposal and all supporting materials which have been or will be submitted in connection therewith, including but not limited to the applicant's letter of inquiry.

Letters of Inquiry

Should a letter of inquiry or intent be sent first?

Requirements for approaching the Foundation to request funds vary by initiative.  Please refer to the guidelines for each grant opportunity for more information.

What are the deadlines for letters of inquiry?

Please refer to the grant guidelines in a specific funding category for more information.

How many letters of inquiry can my organization submit?

An organization may submit one letter of inquiry per grant category per year.

Is it possible for me to get feedback from Foundation staff if my letter of inquiry is declined?

Yes.  You are always welcome to call one of the Program Officers or the Executive Director for information.

If my organization receives a grant in one funding category, can we submit a letter of inquiry in a different funding category?

Yes.

If my organization receives a multi-year grant, can we submit a letter of inquiry in the same category for a different project during the multi-year grant period?

Yes.

Proposals

Does the Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No. Please refer to the grant guidelines in a specific funding category for more information.

What are the deadlines for submitting grant proposals?

The dates vary from year to year and from category to category. Please refer to the grant guidelines under the What We Fund section for this year's deadlines.

What makes a good proposal?

A good proposal starts with an idea that makes sense in relation to the mission of the organization. It is the result of solid planning that studies the idea in the context of the community, reviews alternatives, addresses details, and realistically projects the project's future. A good proposal has a carefully detailed implemented plan, a realistic budget, and a plan for project or program sustainability.

How important is it to have a well-written proposal?

It is very helpful to have a proposal that is clearly and succinctly written. We read numerous proposals each cycle and need to be able to find information easily and quickly.

Why are proposals declined?

For many reasons. The most common is that there are more worthwhile projects than funds available. Sometimes, however, relevant information is missing from the grant request, e.g., how a project will be sustained once grant funds terminate or how the project outcomes will be evaluated. Occasionally, the work plan will be incomplete or fails to support the desired outcomes.

What is an appropriate time frame to follow up on a proposal?

Notification dates are included on both the grant guidelines and the grant application. You should hear from Foundation staff by these dates. In the unlikely event that you do not, please call or e-mail either the Program Officer or Executive Director.

May I include extra items with my proposal such as video/audio tapes, newspaper articles, cd-roms, etc?

Supplemental materials should be held to the minimum necessary to convey a basic understanding of the organization, e.g., the annual report. Extra items (e.g., videos, CDs) should not be sent unless specifically requested. Materials included with proposals will not be returned.