Frequently Asked Questions
The Nelson Foundation requires all applicants to submit a letter of inquiry prior to being invited to submit a full proposal. For both grant programs, letters of inquiry are only accepted through the Foundation’s online grant application system. Please go to the Grant Programs section for specifics on each program’s schedule and process.
Beginning in 2023, the Core Grant Program will have only one grant cycle that begins January 1. LOI’s will be accepted until March 1. If invited to apply, applications will be due April 15.
The capacity building program is by invitation only. If invited by the Foundation to apply, letters of inquiry and full proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis.
All other grants or awards are by invitation or special consideration only and do not have specific deadlines.
The Nelson Foundation funds organizations that are certified 501(c)(3) and 501 (a) (1) or (2) of the Internal Revenue Code and with programs that further the Foundation’s mission and that serve the following counties in Pennsylvania: Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia. Additional eligibility requirements for the core grant program can be found here. Only current core grantees are eligible for invitation to the Capacity Building Grant Program and to receive Grace Nelson Awards.
The Nelson Foundation seeks to support organizations and programs that align with its mission, vision, values, and strategic pillars.
Starting in 2023, core grants will be awarded as three-year general operating grants in the amount of $60,000. In the capacity building program, grant sizes range from $90,000-$300,000 for the total multi-year grant.
If declined, an organization is welcome to submit a new LOI in the next core grant cycle the following year.
The Nelson Foundation believes that it may have the greatest impact when it supports smaller organizations. Consequently, the Foundation will not consider requests from organizations with a budget of $2.5 million or greater, and prefers to fund smaller organizations (current average organizational budget size is under $1 million).
We do not have limits on consecutive years of funding.
In the core grant program, (starting in 2023), all grants awarded will have a three-year grant term.
In the capacity building program, all invited organizations may request up to three years or 36 months of funding.
Any other grants are awarded at the discretion of the Directors.
In the core grant program, site visits are typically requested of new applicants and at least once during a three-year grant cycle once a grant is awarded. Staff will attempt to attend other organizational events as invited, and may conduct brief check-in calls during the grant period as a replacement for the previously required written interim reports. Staff will reach out to make arrangements and will do their best to keep the visit from becoming burdensome to the applicant or grantee.
In the capacity building grant program, Foundation staff conduct site visits for all applicants completing a full proposal, and check-in calls are scheduled as-needed during the grant term.
In the core grant program, generally you can expect to hear whether your organization has been awarded a grant in late June/early July.
In the capacity building program, your application is considered on a rolling basis and therefore grant decisions are dependent on when the LOI and full proposal are submitted as well as the timing of the quarterly meetings of the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
The Grace Nelson Award is an extension of the capacity building program, providing support for capacity building efforts over a short time-period, typically one year. Awards may be made for a model approach, program, organization or leader, and are not necessarily for a prescribed or pre-determined use. Like the capacity building program, The Grace Nelson Award is by invitation, to current grantees only.
There is no application for this grant program – grantees are invited or notified by Foundation staff.