Please note that the last day we will consider inquiries is November 15, 2023.
We will accept new inquiries beginning January 15, 2024.
Grant Information
The Richard Reed Foundation seeks out smaller, forward-thinking, non-profit organizations that are looking to create better communities through outreach and programs in areas of mental health, child health and development, community welfare, animal welfare, and community environmental impact. The foundation’s geographical focus is the mountain west region of the United States, especially communities in Colorado, California and Arizona.
What we’re looking in a potential grantee:
- Alignment with the foundation’s mission and interests
- Proven track record of success with programming
- Clearly presented goals, objectives and strategies
- Demonstrated financial need
- Sustainable and diversified funding streams
- Effective and qualified leadership
- Ongoing organization & program evaluation
- Community support through donations, volunteer engagement and partnerships
- Utilization of best practices and principles across all levels of the organization
Example Programs We Have Funded
We Do Not Typically Fund the Following
- Equine therapy
- Family support services for those facing critical illness
- Homeless self-sufficiency
- Animal rescue/shelters & trap/neuter/release programs
- Adaptive sport organizations
- Programming for at-risk youth
- Environmental & sustainability education and programming
- Start-up organizations
- Programs/organizations outside of Colorado, Arizona, California and the Mountain West
- Internationally focused programs
- Religious organizations
- Endowments, debt reduction, or loans
- Grants or money to individuals
- Organizations with annual revenue in excess of $5 million
- Organizations that discriminate in any way
- Political causes, candidates or campaigns
Grant Application Process
Typical grants range between $5,000 and $10,000. We accept grant requests for both specific programs/projects and general operating expenses within our funding areas. We do provide matching grants. If you are awarded a grant and would like it to go towards a matching event, we ask that you contact us at least two months before the event.
Phase I
Letter of Inquiry
If your organization fits our criteria, and would like to apply for a grant, please submit a letter of inquiry to info@richardreedfoundation.org. We will review your letter of inquiry to determine if your organization is both eligible and a good fit for RRF funding. Within two weeks of receiving your letter of inquiry, we will either send you an invitation to apply for a grant or a letter of declination if you do not meet our current funding criteria.
Phase II
Grant Application
Along with the RRF grant application, please note that you will be required to submit a copy of your latest 990 for grant consideration. If you have been operating less than one year, we can discuss alternative documentation. If you are a previous RRF grantee, you may apply for a new grant this year, however there will be additional documentation required for consideration.
Phase III
Grant Award & Delivery
Once we receive your grant application and supporting materials, we’ll issue an approval or declination letter within 30 days. If approved, you’ll need to send us back a grant acknowledgement form, and then we will award your grant within 30 days of receiving that form back from you.
f.a.q.
You have questions. wE have answers.
If you have a question that is not answered below, please reach out to us HERE.
Can we apply for more than one grant in a calendar year?
Sorry, but only one application per organization is accepted per calendar year. If your organization is facing an unusual hardship, we might consider an additional grant on a case by case basis.
Does our grant have a deadline that it needs to be spent by?
No, however if you apply for a new grant, you will be required to fill out a report for any previously awarded grant before a new request is considered.
What should we include in our Letter of Inquiry?
In your LOI, we’d like a good introduction to your organization, including information such as: your mission, year founded, tax-exempt status, staff size, an overview of what programs & services you offer, numbers served, geographic focus, and target & beneficiary populations. Additionally, it is helpful to include financial information, such as: size of operating and program budget(s), amount of cash reserves, and current funding sources. Lastly, we’d like to know the amount of the grant you’d be requesting and the nature & purpose of requested funds.
What if our organization does not have a 990 form?
If your organization is not required to fill out a 990 form, we can discuss alternative financial documents, just let us know when applying for your grant.