Submit a Letter of Inquiry

Before Getting Started
A Letter of Inquiry is the required first step in submitting funding requests to be considered by the Community Foundation. The Letter of Inquiry helps in determining whether a funding request qualifies for consideration before the applicant invests time and effort in completing a full grant proposal. 

Purpose
Community Impact Grants are intended to provide funds for innovative, new or ongoing projects of charitable, nonprofit agencies or public charitable activities that fall within the Foundation's identified grantmaking priorities and that meet local needs. 

Eligibility
The Foundation welcomes Letters of Inquiry from nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and from governmental agencies serving the county.

Letters of Inquiry from nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the project is charitable and supports a community need. In such cases, the applicant organization may be required to obtain a fiscal sponsor.

Fiscal Sponsors
Letters of Inquiry submitted by an entity under the auspices of another agency must include a written statement signed by the agency's board president on behalf of the board of directors agreeing to act as the entity's fiscal sponsor, to receive grant monies if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project.

Funding Minimum/Maximum Range
The Foundation will consider funding requests of at least $1,000 but not more than $10,000. Funding requests that do not fall within these limitations will not be considered. 

Program Areas Considered for Funding
Please visit our Program Areas page for details about the kinds of projects and programs supported through our Community Impact Grants Program.

Arts and Culture
Community Development
Education
Health
Human Services
Other Civic Endeavors, such as the Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development

Project Areas NOT Considered for Funding
Religious organizations for religious purposes
Political parties or campaigns
Endowment creation or debt reduction
Capital campaigns
Annual appeals or membership contributions
Travel requests for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or classes
Scholarships 

Instructions for Preparing a Letter of Inquiry
Letters of Inquiry should be no more than two single-spaced 8.5x11-inch pages, margins of no less than one inch, and type size of no less than 10 points. Include contact information (name, telephone number, email address) and attach a copy of your organization's IRS determination letter. Submit a Letter of Inquiry that addresses the following:

• Describe the project and the target population to be served.
• What need does the project address and why is your organization well-suited to address the need?
• What is the expected impact to your organization and to the community/target population?
• Is this a new program or a continuation of an existing program?
• Is there other funding currently in place for the project? If so, what is the amount and source of that funding?
• Is collaboration with other agencies anticipated? If so, name the agencies and a brief summary of the roles and responsibilities of each partner.
• What is the total cost of the project? Of the total cost, what amount is being requested from the Community Foundation?
• What is the anticipated timetable for project implementation and completion?
• What is the desired outcome or results to be achieved? 

The Foundation will also give favorable consideration to organizations with a strong history of fulfilling grant requirements and timely reports for grants received in previous years.   

Deadline and Submission Instructions
To be announced.

Deliberation
Letters of Inquiry will be reviewed by the Foundation's grants committee. Subsequently, selected Letter of Inquiry applicants will receive a formal invitation to submit a full grant proposal. All applicants will receive formal notification of the outcome of the Letter of Inquiry deliberation process. No lobbying or solicitation of Foundation representatives will be permitted.

VCF Office Location
The Vanderburgh Community Foundation is located at 123 NW 4th Street, Suite 220, in downtown Evansville. The VCF office is on the 2nd floor of the Court Building, across the street from the old courthouse, with the entrance on 4th Street (click here for a map). 

If hand delivering a funding request and no one is in the office at Suite 220, you may drop your documents in the mail chute in the door, or, if it will not fit, deliver them to the Community Foundation Alliance office on the third floor, Suite 322.