Deadline: 15-Oct-22
The Stranahan Foundation is now accepting applications for its grant program to assist individuals and groups in their efforts to become more self-sufficient and contribute to the improvement of society and the environment.
The Foundation believes in helping others to become independent and responsible citizens; in respect for oneself, for others, for the community, and for the environment; in freedom of thought, speech, religion, and economic choices within a just and democratic society; in the courage to embrace change, and as necessary, to take the initiative to bring about positive change.
The Foundation supports a multitude of important programs that fit within the five priority areas of interest. This support is made possible by the foresight of the founders and the thoughtful decision-making of their Board of Trustees, who work to ensure that all of the Foundation’s grant-funded programs reflect the values, further the mission, and advance its priorities.
Priority Areas of Interest
- The Foundation will consider grant opportunities that fall within five priority areas of interest. The following descriptions are intended to provide potential grant applicants with guidance as to the types of programs – within each of the afore-mentioned areas of interest – that would best fit the priorities.
- Education: The emphasis is to:
- support initiatives that will increase the quality of education for students at the pre-school, primary and secondary levels, and/or promote access to quality educational programs;
- support learning institutions that value independent thinking, artistic appreciation, cultural, economic and ethnic diversity, and community service
- support and provide access to programs that offer alternatives to traditional educational opportunities (for example, career-oriented or vocational training, etc.)
- support small manageable programs within institutions of higher learning
- Physical & Mental Health: They support programs – in both the physical and mental health arenas – that build healthy communities, with a particular interest in those that:
- create better access to care
- educate people to take better care of themselves and their families
- support alternative care methods
- support preventive measures
- support research to eradicate health crises
- Ecological Well-being: They believe ecological well-being is inextricably linked to the sustainability of the communities. The Foundation seeks to support programs (in the local communities) that focus on:
- Preserving or returning to healthy, sustainable communities for both current and future generations
- Conserving and restoring the natural environment
- Educating community members about the natural environment
- Arts & Culture: They believe that every person in the society should have access to the creative process and that the arts have a unique and powerful ability to improve the quality of lives because they:
- communicate
- delight and educate
- motivate and build self esteem
- build and reinforce communities
- have therapeutic value
- Human Services: The Foundation seeks to strengthen the local communities through support for programs that offer disadvantaged families and individuals of all ages:
- access to services that meet basic human needs
- opportunities to work, recreate and fully participate in community life
- avenues for achieving self-sufficiency and making positive contributions to their community
- Education: The emphasis is to:
Types of Organizations and Proposals the Foundation Support
- The Foundation seeks grant making relationships with nonprofit organizations that have capable, accountable leadership and programs that are effective in addressing current community needs, thereby assuring the wise use of philanthropic resources.
- The Stranahan Foundation has a particular interest in considering proposals that exhibit:
- A plan for addressing significant community needs;
- Innovative or unique approaches to solving community problems;
- A focus on addressing root causes of problems;
- Efficient use of community resources. Strong consideration will be given to requests that include plans for coordination, cooperation and sharing among nonprofit organizations, with a view toward strengthening service provision and avoiding unnecessary duplication;
- Support from the community, including potential funders, other nonprofits, community leaders and potential beneficiaries;
- The ability to track and report clear, measurable results;
- A thoughtful, reasonable plan for obtaining continuing financial support from internal and/or external sources once Foundation grant funds are expended.
Eligibility Criteria
- In order to be considered, potential applicants must be organizations described in section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- All invited applicants must, as a first step, submit a letter of inquiry to the Stranahan Foundation. Full proposals are by invitation only and may only be submitted by organizations that are invited to apply AFTER their letter of inquiry has been accepted and reviewed. The Foundation will contact those organizations invited to submit a full proposal and notify those that are not eligible to apply.
- The Foundation will not support organizations that discriminate in the leadership, staffing or service provision on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, political affiliation or religious beliefs.
- They respect the importance of religion to many people as well as freedom of religious choice. They do not feel that the funds should promote any particular religion. Religious organizations with proposals for programs clearly related to their funding areas may be considered if the funds are dedicated solely to the specific program, are not used for the advancement of a particular religious persuasion, and if the program is available to all in need, regardless of religious belief.
- The Stranahan Foundation does not normally consider proposals for funding in the following areas: personal businesses; reduction or elimination of deficits; projects that are located outside of the United States; endowment fund campaigns; government sponsored or controlled projects; or individuals.
For more information, visit https://www.stranahanfoundation.org/main/grantmaking-priorities/