There is no formal grant application. However, all applicants must submit a detailed written proposal, follow specific guidelines and include certain exhibits with their applications to be considered for a grant.

Grant Proposal

• A cover letter on the agency's letterhead and signed by the chief executive officer should describe the proposal, the amount requested, and the results expected.
• A copy of the organization's current 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter from the IRS.
• A list of the members of the agency's governing body, including professional, business or community affiliations, and any paid staff on the board.
• A financial statement, audited if available, for the agency's most recently completed fiscal year, as well as a copy of its most recent Form 990 tax return.
• Agency budgets for the current year and previous year, including budget to actuals.
• A mission statement and a brief organizational history.

Despite no specific format for grant proposals, the document should address the following issues:

• Credibility and capacity of board, staff, and any consultants
• The organization's history and viability
• Purpose of the project proposed
• Outcome anticipated
• Appropriateness of the timing, expense and scope of the project
• Any possible conflicts of interest
• Any prior relationship with CFT
• Other sources or potential sources of funding
  

Grant proposals should be mailed to the following address:

Leslie Parks
Communities Foundation of Texas
5500 Caruth Haven Lane
Dallas, TX 75225

Deadlines

• Grant requests are accepted throughout the year.
• Grants are generally awarded two times a year in the fall and spring.
• The deadline for consideration by the Grants Distribution Committee in March is January 16. The deadline for the November Meeting is September 15. All applications mailed to CFT should be postmarked by the above deadlines.

Qualifications

• To receive competitive funding from CFT, organizations must be established 501(c)(3) tax-exempt "public charity" nonprofit entities. Grants are not made directly to individuals or to for-profit businesses.
• New charities that serve distinct, verifiable charitable purposes also may qualify.
• Organizations must demonstrate sound management and fiscal responsibility.
• Because of limited funds and broad community needs, Dallas-area organizations are typically favored.
  

Guidelines

• Requests for general operating unrestricted support usually are not considered.
• Requests for capital improvements and mission-related equipment generally are given priority over program applications.
• Grants generally are not made to establish or to add to endowments.
• Grant funds are not available to support deficit financing or to repay debts.
• Grants are not made for general use of churches or synagogues or for sectarian religious purposes.
• Grants are not made for political activities or lobbying.
• Grants generally are not available for direct aid to individuals.
• Awards may be paid out over several months or years, but grants for operational budgets normally are not made to projects or organizations for more than one year at a time.
• CFT makes every effort to award grants of varying sizes to balance gifts to newer and more established organizations and to meet a variety of needs.
• CFT requires reports, documenting how the money awarded was used.
• CFT requires recipient organizations to accurately credit Communities Foundation of Texas as the donor in any publicity or recognition efforts.
• Any lobbying of the board of trustees or of the Grants Distribution Committee by grant-seekers is discouraged and could lead to disqualification.

To download a complete copy of the Guidelines and Policies for Grants from Discretionary Funds, please click here. 

CFT Grants Department personnel welcome the opportunity to discuss the feasibility of requests and to assist with any applications. Call 214.750.4222 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or e-mail lparks@cftexas.org.