The Grant Application Process

At the Buell Foundation, we believe in the power of collaboration to create lasting change in Colorado. We invest in programs that help children thrive and we are committed to supporting quality improvements and meaningful evaluations. Our goal is to partner with outstanding organizations, especially those helping underserved communities, to strengthen the systems that support children.  

We encourage you to reach out to your regional Program Officer before applying. This friendly conversation will help you see if your project aligns with the Foundation’s goals, determine the right request amount, and get all your questions answered. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together for a stronger future. 

Understand the different types of grants we offer

We award grants in two different ways: through our responsive grantmaking cycles or through initiatives. Our most flexible process will be experienced through our responsive grantmaking cycles – offered three times per year. We invite all projects aligned with our focus to apply.  If you are interested in one of our more targeted initiatives, which are generally offered by invitation, click the button below to learn more. 

Find out if you’re eligible

We  offer grants to organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or are government entities. To ensure eligibility, applicants should be classified as a “public charity” under section 509(a) of the Code. In order to maximize the support we can provide Colorado organizations, we will accept one application per organization per year. We look forward to supporting your impactful work. 

All applications can be completed through our online portal. We strive to make this process clear and simple. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email and can rest assured that we received your information. We follow strict deadlines, so please be sure to finalize and submit before 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date. 

Review the application guide and FAQs

To facilitate a smooth application submission, we have created an application guide for your reference. In addition to step-by-step instructions, we have also provided answers to frequently asked questions to support your experience. If you find that you would rather talk to a member of our team to get your questions answered, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to help. 

Apply through the online application portal

Our online application portal is your go-to spot for grant applications, reports, and other important grant communication. Once you set up your account and log in, you will have access to all available forms.  

When submitted, your proposal will be carefully reviewed by one of our Foundation’s Program Officers. This process involves a detailed analysis of your organization’s programs and financial statements, a site visit, and a comprehensive report to our Board of Trustees. We appreciate the effort you’ve put into your proposal. 

Proposal review

As our Program Officers build relationships with grant applicants and prepare recommendations for our Board of Trustees, one of their first activities is a thorough review of the submitted proposal. This review includes analysis of your organization’s leadership and governance, programs, evaluation, and financial health. You may receive communication from your assigned Program Officer during this part of the process as they seek clarity and understanding of your proposal. This review will inform the discussion at the site visit.  

Site visit

Visiting applicants is a priority for the Foundation. You can expect to spend time with your Program Officer either in-person at your organization or via video conference if an in-person visit is not possible. These visits typically last between one to two hours. During this time, the Program Officer will get to know your organization better and ask any questions from their review of your proposal and financials. We encourage you to have someone knowledgeable about your proposal and someone familiar with your financials available for the meeting. We look forward to learning more about your impactful work! 

Approximately four months after submitting your proposal, the Board of Trustees will receive a detailed report prepared by our Program Officers about each applicant. This report will highlight the merits of your proposal, its alignment with the Foundation’s funding priorities, and its relationship to the other proposals submitted in your grant round. During the Board of Trustees meeting, they will decide which proposals will be funded and at what amount. We appreciate the effort you’ve put into your proposal and are committed to a thorough and fair review process.

Award notification by email

If your proposal is funded, you will receive a contract by email outlining the funding amount, the program to be funded, and any conditions that may apply. Examples of conditions may include a mid-year report requirement to release a second payment, additional clarification on how funds will be spent, or an updated non-discrimination statement for your organization.  

If your proposal is not funded, you will receive a declination letter. Please feel free to reach out to your Program Officer with any questions you may have. We are here to support you and appreciate your efforts. 

Payment

We ask that signed contracts be returned to the Foundation within two weeks. It is our full intention to provide funding within three weeks of receiving your signed contract back. We primarily utilize ACH as our method of payment, but we can accommodate payments by check if required by your organization. 

Throughout the duration of your grant period, Program Officers will maintain a connection with your organization. This may be through formal connections, such as reports, or through informal check-ins. Our team is always eager to hear updates from the field, and we welcome opportunities to touch base with you. 

Final report

We ask for a final report one month after the grant period ends. You will receive an invitation via email to complete this report in our online grants management system. 

If you plan to apply for another grant before the current grant period ends, we will ask for information on activities to date in the online grant application. These questions about progress to date will allow you to apply for the same grant cycle every year. We appreciate your ongoing efforts and look forward to continuing our collaboration. 

Conditions and mid-year reports

In some cases, your grant contract will include a condition to be met before payment (either in full or in part) will be released. These conditions vary greatly and may require the submission of a mid-year report, business plan, updated financials, updated non-discrimination statement, or proof of funds raised. Regardless of the requirement, you will be able to submit your documentation through our online portal. In all cases, you will receive reminders of upcoming deadlines. As questions come up, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Program Officer to ensure that you understand what is needed from you. 

Ongoing check-ins

We deeply value our partnership with each of our grantee organizations. We believe that open and ongoing communication is key to our collective success. We encourage you to share updates about your project or any significant changes that occur within your organization. Your Program Officer will also reach out to you midway through the year to check in and offer support. 

Please remember, we are here for you throughout the year. Feel free to call or email us with any questions, updates, or needs. We are always ready to assist and support you.