Grant Application

• Guidelines and Policies
• Application Procedures
• Grant Proposal Preparation
• Procedures
• Proposal Preparation

Guidelines and Policies

Specific areas of interest vary from time to time. At present, the Foundation is supportive of the following: Clergy and lay education and training, community development and outreach, health ministry, evangelism and youth.

Grants are occasionally made to provide seed money or start-up costs for a program or project. In such instances, the participation of other donors is desired. Grants are made only to Lutheran organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are generally awarded for a one-year period.

The majority of grants are made in Wisconsin. No grants are made outside the United States.

In accordance with Board policy, the Foundation does not approve grants for the following: endowment funds, fellowships and scholarships, trusts, and other grant-making foundations.

Grants are generally not made to churches for capital or operating expenses. Special grants are made to seminary students who are members of Lutheran churches in Wisconsin. Criteria and instructions are posted on this website under "Seminary Tuition Aid."

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Application Procedures

The Foundation's grant proposal preparation procedures must be followed. Applicants are required to call the Foundation prior to submitting a grant proposal. All grant reports due the Foundation must be filed prior to applying for new funding.

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Grant Proposal Preparation

The Siebert Lutheran Foundation annually receives numerous grant proposals. To facilitate the review process, it is essential that you follow instructions as closely as possible. The Foundation attempts to be thorough in its evaluation of proposals and to be responsive in reporting decisions made by its Board of Directors.

Prior to the preparation of a proposal, authorization should be obtained from your governing body.

Congregations should get this authorization from the church board or council.

The grant proposal must follow guidelines listed under PREPARATION OF PROPOSAL.

Proposals must be written on 8.5 x 11 paper. Submit the original copy only. Additional copies are not necessary. Special covers or bindings are not required.

A brief letter describing your project or program and the amount of your request should accompany the proposal. This cover letter should be typewritten on your organization's or church's letterhead and signed by the chief executive officer or pastor.

Information included in your proposal should be brief. It is not necessary to include letters of recommendation from other sources. Photographs and exhibits should be kept to a minimum.

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Procedures

The deadlines for completed grant proposals are March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1. In each case, the proposals must be postmarked no later than the first. If the first falls on a holiday or weekend, the closing date for grant proposals will be the last working day prior to the holiday or weekend. Proposals are reviewed by the Board of Directors late in the next month following the deadline date.

Following action taken by the Board of Directors, the applicant will be notified whether or not the grant is approved. If approved, grantees are required to sign and return a Grant Agreement form prior to the distribution of funds.

Records should be maintained by the grantee to substantiate proper disbursement of funds received. The records should be available for Foundation inspection upon request.

Upon completion of the project, a report is to be sent to the Foundation describing results and summarizing the utilization of funds. Any funds not used during the specified grant time period are to be returned to the Foundation.

Grants must be used solely for the purpose and the time period described in the grant proposal. Any deviation should receive approval from the Foundation.

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Preparation of Proposal

Please number and complete your proposal as indicated below.

Part One

Complete the following information:

1. Full legal name of applicant organization, address and telephone number.
2. Name of chief executive officer or pastor, title, business address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address.
3. Name of individual preparing grant proposal, title, business address, telephone and fax numbers, and email address. (If identical to number two above, indicate "same.")
4. Specific purpose of grant request (concise statement preferred).
5. A brief description or outline of the project or program, to include the points listed in the decision making process, outlined below:



• What is the issue?
• What is the solution? (The overall purpose of the project or program.)


6. Your blueprint for executing a solution/project... please include:



• Background for how and why this project developed.
• Plan of action.
• The target population.
• The timetable for implementation.
• How will results/outcomes be measured?
• The top three measurable results that you expect to accomplish if you receive the grant. (You must include this.)
1. Outputs: The tangible and direct results of the program activities.
2. Outcomes: The changes you expect will occur as a result of your program.

• Cost effectiveness for this program/project.
• What is your experience?
• What other agencies in your locality conduct similar programs?
• What critical need will be fulfilled by this program that is not currently being met or cannot be met by coordination and cooperation with one or more agencies?
• What is the rationale for Siebert Foundation support?


7. Dollar amount requested.
8. Project or program budget, including income and expenses.
9. Complete the Siebert Lutheran Foundation Patriot Act Compliance Form. The completed form must be included with the grant proposal.


Click here to download the Siebert Lutheran Foundation Patriot Act Compliance Form(PDF)


10. Preschool/school programs: Please complete the School Data Form in addition to the grant proposal.

Click here to download the School Data Form (PDF)

Part Two

Answer the following questions:

1. Are you seeking other sources of funding? If so, what are your:
   a) assured funds, source and amount, and,
   b) requested funds, source and amount.
2. If funded, what plans do you have for future financial needs of the project?
3. Is the project intended to generate funding? If so, provide financial projections.
4. Church applicants: State size of church, membership, giving units, and total annual budget.

Part Three

Include the following information:

1. A photocopy of your exemption letter under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. (Note to congregations: If not available, copy may be obtained from Synod or District Office.)
2. IRS Form 990 (if filed), and a current financial statement, copy of most recent audit or annual report.
3. A copy of the minutes of your organization's governing body or the congregation's church council, indicating authorization of grant proposal. (You may substitute a resolution signed by the governing body chairman.)

Part Four

As an option, you may include information which will support your grant proposal, such as printed materials, photographs, etc.

Send the completed proposal in a large envelope, mailed flat, with first class postage to:

Siebert Lutheran Foundation, Inc.
300 N. Corporate Drive, Suite 200
Brookfield, WI  53045

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