The Grant Process
The foundation’s Board of Directors conducts one grant cycle per year. Grants can only be awarded to 501(c)(3) organizations that have been granted tax exempt status by the IRS. We will request the EIN of each applicant to verify eligibility. After all applications have been reviewed, we will typically award about 15 grants each year.
We cannot consider funding for:

  • Political lobbying, campaigns, or voter registration
  • Advertising or fundraising events
  • Endowments
  • Grants to individuals
  • Supporting organizations as described in Section 509 (a)(3)
1. Initial Review
Letters of Inquiry are accepted and screened in February and March for each year’s grant process. The deadline for submission is March 31st. We will consider multi-year grants (up to 3 years) for organizations we have funded three or more times in the past.
To encourage nonprofits to start the application process early a country road has the word START painted across the pavement
A woman views a grant application from the Reisert Foundation on her tablet
2. Invitation to Apply
The Board will review LOIs and other possible grantees. All organizations that will be invited to submit a grant will be notified in mid-May. Grant applications are due July 15th.
3. Final Selection
Between July 15th and September 30th, grant applications will be reviewed. Site visits and/or grant review sessions (usually on Zoom) will be scheduled.

Grant decisions will be made between October 1 and October 20. Notifications will be emailed to organizations by October 25. For those organizations that receive funding, checks will be mailed by November 10 (checks must be deposited by December 15).

Board of Directors select the top candidates to award a grant for education healthcare or housing
Grant recipients must complete interim and final reports about the use of grant funds
4. Evaluation & Follow Up
Approximately one year after funding, a brief report on the use of funds must be submitted. Instructions will be included in the letter that is sent out with grant award checks.

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