The Downing Family Foundation Grant

The Downing Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting programs that enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities. Emphasizing self-sufficiency and long-term success, the foundation focuses on projects that serve the disadvantaged, promote early education, enrich the arts, and strengthen communities. It encourages initiatives that create a lasting, measurable impact on a community or a significant segment of its population. Organizations interested in applying for funding must first verify that their proposed project aligns with the foundation’s core funding areas. Eligible categories include community development and enrichment, services to the disadvantaged, children’s causes, early education, and the arts. Applicants must be tax-exempt or nonprofit entities requesting funds for charitable purposes. The foundation is particularly focused on initiatives located within Kansas. The initial step in the grant process is submitting an online Letter of Inquiry (LOI). The LOI should include a concise overview of the organization, its main projects and accomplishments, a description of the problem it aims to address, how it intends to make an impact, the total project cost, the amount being requested from the foundation, and contact details for the requestor. The foundation advises applicants to avoid formatting issues by copying and pasting text into the online form via WordPad. LOIs are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Decisions are made in the quarter following each deadline. For example, submissions received by March 31 will receive decisions in the second quarter. Successful applicants will be contacted via mail or email. Unfunded requests are not notified and will not be reconsidered within the same calendar year, but organizations are welcome to reapply in subsequent years. Approved LOIs may be asked to submit a full application, proposal, detailed budget, and quarterly reports. The foundation funds various types of requests, including operating expenses, endowment funds, capital projects, and multi-year grants, though one-year awards are more common. However, it will not consider proposals from individuals, faith-based organizations, government or lobbying entities, social or fraternal organizations, or projects related to specific medical conditions or medical research. It also will not fund for-profit ventures or institutions that engage in discriminatory practices. The Downing Family Foundation is committed to equitable philanthropy and encourages organizations aligned with its mission to begin the grant application process via its online portal.

Avoid formatting errors by copying text into WordPad before pasting into the form