Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the deadlines for grant proposals?
   The Parsons Foundation accepts grant proposals at any time throughout the year. Initial review by the Foundation staff is completed within three months. Proposals that are selected for consideration by the Foundation Board of Directors are reviewed within approximately six months of initial submission.
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2. Can you send me an application?
   The Parsons Foundation accepts letters of inquiry or full proposals, directed to the Foundation’s Vice President. The “test letter” or letter of inquiry is a preliminary application, which should include a description of the project to be funded, the amount requested and pertinent background information about the applicant organization. If an applicant is reasonably certain that their program or project falls within the Foundation’s guidelines, a full proposal will also be considered at initial review. A “grant outline” will facilitate the submission of a complete proposal.
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3. Are grant guidelines available?
   The Foundation has two publications. There is a grant guidelines brochure, as well as an annual report, which includes grant guidelines along with other information.
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4. Can we meet with someone to discuss a possible proposal?
   Due to limited staff resources, the Foundation rarely meets with applicants prior to the submission of written materials. A member of the grants staff will contact you if additional information is required. At that time, a date may also be set for a meeting or onsite visit.
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5. How often are proposals considered?
   The Foundation’s Board considers proposals five times a year.
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6. How will I know if you received my letter of inquiry or proposal?
   We acknowledge receipt of every letter of inquiry and proposal by U.S. mail.
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7. Do you fund general operating expenses?
   The Foundation is willing to consider general operating expenses on a case-by-case basis. Consultation with Foundation program staff is encouraged before submission for general operating support.
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8. Do you give grants to individuals?
   No.
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9. Do you give grants to organizations outside of Los Angeles County?
   The Parsons Foundation is almost entirely focused on Los Angeles County. Some occasional exceptions are made in the area of higher education.
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10. When and how will I know if my proposal has been accepted or rejected?
    All applicants receive written communication regarding their request. All proposals are acknowledged immediately. Requests that are considered by the Board typically take six months for consideration from date of receipt.
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11. We recently submitted a test letter and were declined. May we re-submit?
    Another request is eligible for consideration 12 months from the date of the declination.
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12. To whom should test letters or proposals be addressed?
    Beth Downs, Vice President
    The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
    1055 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 1701
    Los Angeles, CA 90017
    Telephone: 213-482-3185
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13. Our proposal was declined. Can you tell us why?
    Competition for grant funds is intense and a number of factors determine if a proposal is declined. Most frequently, it is because we are unable to fund every request we receive. The staff and Board of Directors look for exemplary programs and projects that best meet the Foundation’s areas of interest.
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14. Do you prefer to fund capital or program?
    Funding of direct services is a priority.
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15. Can you help us write the grant proposal?
    We encourage applicants to follow our guidelines in preparing a proposal and to call if they have a question. You might consider the resources of the Center for Nonprofit Management (www.cnmsocal.org).
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16. We are a new organization and don’t yet have 501(c)3 status. May we still apply?
    Agencies with a “preliminary ruling” letter from the IRS are eligible. You might investigate linking with an existing agency, who would agree to serve as a “fiscal agent” for your request. Another alternative is Community Partners (website), which serves as an incubator for new nonprofit efforts.
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17. Do you require a letter of inquiry before submitting a proposal?
    No. Either is acceptable.
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18. Should we wait to hear from you before applying to others?
    No. It is a good idea to submit applications to multiple sources of funding.
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19. Will the Parsons Foundation consider loans?
    Loans, or program related investments, are not considered.
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20. Are there areas in which you don’t make grants?
    Funding is not provided for the following requests: fundraising events, dinners and mass mailings; direct aid to individuals; conferences, seminars, workshops, etc; sectarian, religious or fraternal purposes; federated fundraising appeals; support of candidates for political office or to influence legislation.
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21. Should we send letters of support with our letter of intent or with a proposal?
    While they are not necessary, some letters do in fact strengthen a request. Letters from elected officials are not helpful.
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22. Does the Parsons Foundation grant money to commercial businesses?
    No, the Foundation does not fund for-profit organizations or businesses.
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23. Will you pay us a site visit?
    A high priority is placed on contact with applicant agencies. Site visits are conducted frequently. The staff person reviewing your proposal will initiate the visit.
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24. Do you fund scholarships?
    Fellowship and scholarship support is provided only to nonprofit institutions; individuals are not eligible to apply.
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25. Is there a person responsible for handling grants in specific areas of funding?
    Each of our program officers is broadly knowledgeable about the nonprofit community. Program officers are not assigned to a specific area, nor are they tied to a specific agency. Each request is treated independently.
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26. Are letters of inquiry accepted by fax or e-mail?
    No. The Foundation is unable to accept electronically submitted inquiries or requests.
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27. May we submit additional test letters for different projects with the same year?
    No. Due to the constraint of limited resources, only one request per 12-month period can be considered.
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28. How many grants are awarded each year?
    Approximately 200.
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29. What is the average grant award?
    The typical award amount ranges from $25,000 to $50,000.
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30. Does the Foundation award multi-year funding?
    Only rarely. A particularly compelling need for multi-year support must be articulated.
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31. Where can we find a list of representative grants the Foundation has recently made?
    Click here for list of grants.
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32. If we are invited to submit a full proposal, what kinds of supporting documentation will we be asked to submit?
    Click here for outline of grant.
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Quick Reference Click

Address for test letters or proposals
Areas Parsons does not fund
Average grant award
Commercial businesses
Deadlines for grant proposals
Faxing or e-mailing letters and proposals
Fund general operating expenses?
Funding capital vs. program
Grant guidelines
Grants to individuals
Grants to organizations outside of LA County
Help us write the grant proposal?
How many grants are awarded?
How often are proposals considered?
Letter of inquiry before submitting a proposal?
Letters of support
List of representative grants
Loans
May we still apply without 501(c)3 status
Meeting to discuss a possible proposal?
Multi-year funding
Received my letter of inquiry or proposal?
Persons in specific areas of funding
Proposal declined
Proposal has been accepted or rejected?
Re-submit proposal
Scholarships
Send me an application
Should we wait to hear from you?
Site visits
Submit additional test letters in the same year
Supporting documentation