FAQs

What does The San Francisco Foundation fund?
How do I submit my application?
How do I learn more about Grantee Center?
How much can my organization apply for?
What happens after I submit an Intent to Apply form?
What if I miss the deadline for submitting an Intent to Apply?
What if I have an urgent project?
My project meets more than one of the Foundation's strategic goals. What should I do?
My group doesn't have tax-exempt status. Can I still apply?
May I receive assistance with my application?

What does The San Francisco Foundation fund?

The San Francisco Foundation offers three main types of support:

• Project Support: These grants are restricted to a specific piece of work that provides direct benefit to the organization's constituents over a period of time to achieve measurable results. Project support grants may be used to pay for all costs directly related to the operation of the project. Project support grants cannot be used for general administration of the organization (also known as indirect costs).
• Capacity Building Support: This type of support is generally awarded for activities that strengthen an organization, or a coalition of organizations, to better achieve its mission. Capacity building may include expansion of services, infrastructure improvement, organizational assessment, strategic planning, board/staff development, and so on. The grant is restricted to a particular activity, and the outcomes of the capacity building project must be conducted over a period of time to achieve measurable results.
• Core Operating Support: This type of support is also known as general support. An organization may use the funds in any way that supports its mission.

How do I submit my application?

All applications, including the Intent to Apply process, must be submitted through the Grantee Center, our new interactive resource for applicants and grantees.  Please register for Grantee Center to submit your application.

How do I learn more about Grantee Center?

We encourage you to visit our Grantee Center Help section to answer initial questions about Grantee Center.  You do not have to be a registered Grantee Center user to access this informaiton.

How much can my organization apply for?

Our average competitive grant is $20,000 with a duration of 12 months. Organizations new to the Foundation frequently receive smaller awards. The Foundation occasionally makes larger and/or multi-year grants to organizations that are closely aligned with our strategic goals.

What happens after I submit an Intent to Apply form?

Applications are formally acknowledged via email with a tracking number.  You will receive written notification regarding the status of your application approximately eight weeks after the deadline. For a complete grant cycle calendar, please visit the Foundation’s website.  *Please note all communication from the Foundation is now through electronic mail. 

For a complete grant cycle calendar, please see the Timeline. For full details on the grant cycle, please review the Intent to Apply Guidelines, available on our Forms page.

What if I miss the deadline for submitting an Intent to Apply?

Due to the large volume of applications received by the Foundation, we regret that we cannot accept late applications.  Grantee Center will only allow submissions through the deadline, applications saved In Progress will not be processed.
 

What if I have an urgent project?

In rare instances, the Foundation will expedite processing for a project that has an urgent need and that is closely aligned with the Foundation's strategic goals. Please contact a member of the Program Department to discuss your circumstances before submitting an urgent request.

My project meets more than one of the Foundation's strategic goals. What should I do?

You must select one Program area in order to complete your application. Please visit the Program pages to obtain additional, more specific information about the particular projects funded by each Program area. If you are a returning grantee, please select the Program area that funded your previous grant, unless the work is substantially different. If the project for which you are requesting funding could qualify for more than one Program area, select the one that most closely matches the mission of your organization. If you are still unsure how your project fits, please call or email us for assistance. A staff contact list is available for download on our Forms page.

My group doesn't have tax-exempt status. Can I still apply?

Groups that do not have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code must use a fiscal sponsor in order to apply. If you are looking for a fiscal sponsor, please visit our fiscal sponsorship page to learn about the Community Initiatives Fund.

May I receive assistance with my application?

The Foundation is pleased to offer technical assistance with applications. We conduct monthly How to Apply Workshops, and we welcome your questions. Additionally, a staff contact list is available for download on our Forms page.  For assistance with navigation in the Grantee Center please visit the Grantee Center Help section.