Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the deadlines for grant proposals?
   The Parsons Foundation accepts Letters of Interest at any time throughout the year. Initial review by the Foundation staff is completed within six weeks. The most competitive LOI’s will receive an invitation to submit a full proposal. Organizations receiving an invitation to apply have three months to submit their proposals.
   back to top
   
   
2. Can you send me an application?
   There is no application form. The Parsons Foundation accepts letters of inquiry (LOI’s) directed to the Foundation’s President. The “test letter,” or LOI, 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, including if the organization has received support from other foundations. A project or organizational budget and the most recent financial statements available should also be included.
   back to top
   
   
3. Are grant guidelines available?
   The Foundation does not publish printed guidelines. This website provides comprehensive information about the Foundation, including a searchable grants database. 
   back to top
   
   
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. If you have thoroughly reviewed the website and still have questions, you may call the Foundation and speak to a program officer.
   back to top
   
   
5. How often are proposals considered?
   You should anticipate a wait of approximately six months after submission of an invited proposal.
   back to top
   
   
6. How will I know if you received my letter of inquiry or proposal?
   We acknowledge receipt of every letter of inquiry by U.S. mail.
   back to top
   
   
7. Do you fund general operating expenses?
   The Foundation makes grants for general operating expenses, often called core operating support. 
   back to top
   
   
8. Do you give grants to individuals?
   No.
   back to top
   
   
9. Do you give grants to organizations outside of Los Angeles County?
   The Parsons Foundation grants are limited to organizations providing services in Los Angeles County.
   back to top
   
   
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.
    back to top
    
    
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.
    back to top
    
    
12. To whom should test letters or proposals be addressed?
    Wendy Garen, President & Chief Executive Officer
    The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
    888 West Sixth Street, Suite 700
    Los Angeles, CA 90017
    Telephone: 213.362.7600
    back to top
    
    
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 due to limited resources. The staff and board look for exemplary programs and projects that best meet the Foundation’s areas of interest.
    back to top
    
    
14. Do you prefer to fund capital or program?
    Funding of direct services is a priority.
    back to top
    
    
15. Can you help us write the grant proposal?
    We encourage applicants to follow our guidelines in preparing proposals and to call if they have questions. You might consider the resources of the Center for Nonprofit Management or The Grantsmanship Center. You may also wish to participate in Project Grantsmanship, which underwrites up to 90% of the cost of the 5-day Grantsmanship Training Program.
    back to top
    
    
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, that would agree to serve as a “fiscal agent” for your request. Another alternative is Community Partners, which serves as an incubator for new nonprofit efforts.
    back to top
    
    
17. Do you require a letter of inquiry before submitting a proposal?
    Yes.
    back to top
    
    
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.
    back to top
    
    
19. Will the Parsons Foundation consider loans?
    Loans, or program related investments, are not considered.
    back to top
    
    
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; sectarian, religious or fraternal purposes; federated fundraising appeals; support of candidates for political office or to influence legislation; scientific research.
    back to top
    
    
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.
    back to top
    
    
22. Does the Parsons Foundation grant money to commercial businesses?
    No, the Foundation does not fund for-profit organizations or businesses.
    back to top
    
    
23. Will you pay us a site visit?
    A high priority is placed on contact with applicant agencies. Site visits are conducted when a proposal is under active review. The staff person reviewing your proposal will initiate the visit. 
    back to top
    
    
24. Do you fund scholarships?
    Fellowship and scholarship support is provided only to nonprofit institutions; individuals are not eligible to apply.
    back to top
    
    
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. Each request is treated independently and it is likely that a grantee organization will work with several program officers over a period of years.
    back to top
    
    
26. Are letters of inquiry accepted by fax or e-mail?
    No. The Foundation is unable to accept electronically submitted inquiries or requests.
    back to top
    
    
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.
    back to top
    
    
28. How many grants are awarded each year?
    Approximately 200.
    back to top
    
    
29. What is the average grant award?
    The median grant award is $50,000.
    back to top
    
    
30. Does the Foundation award multi-year funding?
    Rarely. A particularly compelling need for multi-year support must be articulated.
    back to top
    
    
31. Where can we find a list of representative grants the Foundation has recently made?
    Click here for list of recent grants. You may also click here for our searchable grants database.
    back to top
    
    
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.
    back to top
          
    
33. How do we submit a final report?
    Click here for information on final reports.
    back to top
           
    
34. How will I know if you received my final report?
    We acknowledge receipt of every report by U.S. mail.
    back to top
             
    
35. How soon can we reapply?
    Your organization must wait until the full grant cycle has concluded (the date of which is available in your grant contract), and submit a final report, before reapplying.
    back to top
          
    
36. Can we report early?
    If your project concludes before the end of your full grant cycle, you may submit a final report early. However, you are not eligible to reapply until the full grant cycle has concluded.
    back to top
           
    
37. If we have received support in the past, do we need to submit an LOI or can we submit a full proposal?
    All applicants must first submit an LOI, regardless of previous funding history
    back to top

 

 

Quick Reference Click

Address for test letters or proposals
Areas Parsons does not fund
Average grant award
Commercial businesses
Deadlines for grant proposals
Early reporting
Faxing or e-mailing letters and proposals
Final reports
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?
How soon can we reapply?
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?
Received my final report?
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