Electronic copies of Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) are due to the State Equality Fund by January 9, 2012. No hard copies will be accepted without a prior arrangement. Please email files to StateEqualityFund@gillfoundation.org; include the name of your organization in the subject line of the email. Please address the following in your LOI: (use outline headings and limit the entire letter to 1,000 words, excluding headings and the first section “Basic Information”).
1) Basic Information (does not count toward 1,000 word limit)
a) Operating name of organization:
b) If fiscally sponsored, name of fiscal sponsor:
c) Current legal name of organization as registered with the IRS (if different):
d) Name, telephone, and email address of executive director:
e) Name, title, telephone, and email address of contact person (if different):
f) Mailing address, fax number, and physical address (if different):
g) Number of years requested and dollar amount requested for each year:
2) Organizational background
3) The outcome (required) and benchmarks (if applicable) for which funding is sought. In a single sentence, state the policy(s) that will change as a result of your activities and include the date by which each will be achieved. Please see the Requirements of Measurable Outcomes section below.
4) Non-lobbying plans, activities, or strategies for achieving the outcome. Please see the definition sheet regarding “lobbying.” If invited to submit a proposal, you will have an opportunity to discuss relevant lobbying activities in the proper context. Please highlight collaboration and coordination with other agencies, community support, and how the plan effectively engages the meaningful participation and leadership of people of color and low-income people.
5) If you are currently receiving a multi-year grant from the State Equality Fund, you may apply for funding to achieve other outcomes. However, please demonstrate that your organization will have the requisite level of staffing and other resources necessary to complete the proposed scope of work.
Additional Information
Tides Foundation is the legal grantmaking entity for the State Equality Fund, but it is programmatically staffed on behalf of its donors by the Gill Foundation. All questions at all stages of the proposal, grant, and reporting processes should be directed initially to the Gill Foundation and not Tides Foundation. Please contact Elizabeth Akalin, senior grants management associate, (StateEqualityFund@gillfoundation.org) with questions before submitting your LOI. While materials and questions are directed to the Gill Foundation, it is not the grantmaking entity and should not be referred to as such.
