Hilda & Preston Davis Foundation Grant

The Hilda & Preston Davis Foundation provides grant funding with a specific focus on programs and organizations aligned with its philanthropic priorities. Although detailed information about the foundation's founders is not disclosed in the public-facing materials, its approach to grantmaking reflects a commitment to targeted social impact, particularly supporting nonprofits that demonstrate strong fiscal responsibility, programmatic need, and collaborative initiatives. The foundation is managed and administered by Foundation Services, which also handles technical aspects of its grant application system. The foundation does not entertain letters of inquiry or preliminary prescreening; submission of a complete grant application is the official starting point for all funding requests. The grant program follows a rolling application process, and applications are accepted year-round. Once submitted, each application is reviewed for completeness and then forwarded to the trustees ahead of their quarterly board meetings. Following evaluation, the board may take several actions: approve, decline, defer, request additional materials, schedule a site visit, or request an interview. If declined, applicants must wait at least one year to reapply, and only if the nature of the request has materially changed and received prior approval. Grant sizes typically range from $2,500 to $25,000 annually, with most new applicants awarded near the lower end of that range. Larger grants may be considered for existing grantees and are subject to more stringent requirements, such as the signing of a Grant Agreement Contract and submission of annual progress reports. In general, grants are limited to durations of no more than three years. The foundation expresses particular interest in initiatives that encourage collaboration and innovation, especially pilot projects testing new program models. Funding requests should also reflect realistic plans for sustainability and ongoing financial support beyond the grant period. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations recognized by the IRS under section 501(c)(3). Some exceptions may apply to schools, state agencies, or churches that hold alternate forms of tax exemption. The organization must have an active, policy-making board of directors and a demonstrated capacity for sound fiscal management. The foundation is particularly cautious about indirect costs and institutional overhead, which may be disallowed under certain conditions, especially if the grant relationship did not originate through the institution's development channels. Several areas are excluded from funding, including food pantries, camps, school security, playgrounds, general fundraising, endowments, medical research unrelated to eating disorders, and organizations heavily reliant on third-party funding without private fundraising capacity. The foundation’s submission process is straightforward but has technical constraints. The application must be completed via the designated online form, which is accessible only through a specific Application link. Applicants cannot initiate a new submission through their saved account page. If technical issues arise, a Word version of the form is available for download and may be submitted via email along with required documents such as budgets and IRS Determination Letters. Applicants are encouraged to review the foundation’s FAQs, guidelines, and budgeting instructions in advance to minimize formatting and submission errors. PDFs are preferred for uploads, and applicants should avoid incompatible formats or documents with macros or oversized dimensions. Following submission, applicants receive a confirmation email. Updates on application status are generally provided within four months, aligned with the foundation's quarterly board meeting schedule. While the foundation’s administrator is available to assist with technical aspects of the process, they do not provide advice on funding fit or request structure. The foundation does not share information on competitiveness or success rates, emphasizing that all applications are evaluated independently and contextually. Applicants are encouraged to apply for programs demonstrating the highest need within their organization. Reports from funded grantees are welcomed and may be submitted via multiple channels, including email and an online upload form. While no strict report format is mandated, a sample template is available to guide grantees in crafting their follow-up communications to the board.

Use the Application link (not Account page); preview uploads and format as PDF where possible; review FAQs for error prevention.