GRANTSEEKING ORGANIZATIONS

THE RFP PROCESS FOR 2007 HAS ENDED.  PLEASE USE THE INFORMATION BELOW AS A GUIDELINE FOR OUR 2008 GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS.

Application Process
Proposals
Limitations on Grantmaking
Inquiries

Application Process

The Foundation uses a two-step process. The first step in applying to the Foundation is a short letter of inquiry. Although we will accept letters at any time of year, the Foundation's Board of Trustees votes on grants only once a year, at its Summer meeting. If you wish to apply in time for consideration at that meeting, we must receive your initial inquiry by March 1st, 2008. We try to acknowledge the receipt of all letters of inquiry. If you do not receive notification of receipt within one month of sending your letter, feel free to contact the Foundation.

HAPI does diligence on each finalist before committing to make a grant.  HAPI currently anticipates that, in most instances, grant commitments will be made during the late Spring in June or early July.  Please note that recipients do not receive the actual funds until after the November event. Grant funding will generally occur in January, 2009.  Also, in some circumstances, HAPI reserves its right to impose certain restrictions on grants.

All letters are first reviewed to determine if they fall within the Foundation's Program Guidelines. Those that do not are immediately declined. Letters that are within the guidelines are then reviewed to determine the following:

• The consistency of the grantseeker's approach and funding needs with the Foundation's interests.
• The impact of the potential results of the activities.
• The grantseeker's ability to partner with the Foundation in its publicity efforts and in providing support for the Foundation's annual signature fundraiser.

Letters of inquiry should be no more than three pages long and should include the following:

• A brief statement of the issues to be addressed and your organization's involvement with these issues, as well as a brief statement concerning the history, goals, and structure/staffing of your organization.
• A brief summary of the activities for which you are requesting support, including an outline of your objectives, and anticipated outcomes and implications.
• The approximate starting date and duration of the proposed activities.
• The total amount of funding needed, the amount requested from the Foundation, and information about other sources of support, both assured and requested.

Proposals

When a letter of inquiry closely reflects the Foundation's program priorities, we will request a full proposal. Proposals should be submitted to the Foundation only upon request. Since the Foundation requests more proposals than it can fund, such requests should not be interpreted as an indication of likely support. The Foundation accepts the common grant application form of the National Network of Grantmakers, which will be provided upon request.

The Foundation may request additional information in writing from applicants. We may also consult with persons knowledgeable about the proposed activities and we welcome grantseekers' suggestions as to who may be qualified to assist us in our review of your proposal. Finally, we will try to meet with select applicants at the project site.

Final decisions on proposals are made by the Foundation's Board of Trustees, which meets regularly. You will be informed of the Board's decision immediately following the Board meeting at which your proposal is discussed. If a grant is awarded, you will be asked to provide a Grant Report at the end of the fiscal year, utilizing the New York/New Jersey Common Report Form (CRF).

Limitations on Grantmaking

The Foundation will only consider requests from organizations that qualify as charitable 501(c)(3) organizations in New Jersey, and whose proposals are consistent with current Foundation policies.

The Foundation will not consider grants for individuals, endowments, deficit financing, media production or distribution.

The Foundation will not provide funds to lobby for legislation or influence public elections.

Funds awarded that cover less than the total cost of capital items or projects will be released when all funds needed to purchase the item, or complete the project, have been pledged.

Inquiries

Please send letters of inquiry to:

Via Email: ezimmerman@lowenstein.com Via postal service:
Edward M. Zimmerman, Esq.
Lowenstein Sandler PC
65 Livingston Avenue
Roseland, NJ 07068