Once you submit an application, it’s natural to wonder what happens next. At the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, every application is read carefully, and every grant decision is made by our Board of Directors, a dedicated group of local volunteers who care deeply about the future of our communities.
This page walks through the review from start to finish, explains what the Board considers, and shares the most common reasons a request is not funded, so your organization knows what to expect at every stage.
Each grant cycle brings many worthy requests, often exceeding the funding available. Community needs, available resources, and the priorities of a particular grant program all play a role in the Board’s decisions.
Our competitive grants support programs that directly serve Fond du Lac County and our affiliate communities and that address a community need. Impact grants, for requests above $5,000, are for projects likely to make a clear difference in the quality of life of a substantial number of people. See Types of Grants.
The application itself asks only about your organization, your program, its budget, and your board. During the review process, we may also discuss broader aspects of organizational health, such as strategic planning, board involvement, leadership succession, and long-term sustainability. These conversations occur most often with larger funding requests and help us gain a fuller understanding of your organization’s strengths, goals, and opportunities.
Nonprofits face different challenges and operate with varying levels of capacity. A developing strategic plan, board giving program, or succession plan should never discourage you from applying for funding.
Because the Board votes fresh each cycle, and because community needs shift, the outcome can differ from one cycle to the next. An organization funded last time is not guaranteed funding this time, and a decline last time predicts nothing about the next application.
Decisions are made carefully and thoughtfully, and a funding decision is never a reflection on an organization’s value or impact. When a request is not funded, it is usually for one of these reasons.
Organizations are always encouraged to apply again in future grant rounds. To see the kinds of organizations the Foundation has funded, visit Past Grantees.
Photo: Members of the Fond du Lac Area Foundation Board of Directors at a grant review meeting
At the Fond du Lac Area Foundation, our Grant Committee and the Executive Director read every application and prepare a summary for the Board of Directors, which votes on grant awards. First-time applicants can expect a call from the Executive Director. Every cycle is a fresh decision, and competitive grants support programs serving Fond du Lac County and our affiliate communities.
We prioritize programs that directly serve Fond du Lac County and our affiliate communities and meet a community need that is not already being met. Grants have supported work in education, health, human services, the arts and culture, youth, and the environment, among other fields. Impact grants focus on projects that reach a substantial number of people.
The most common reasons are that a similar service is already meeting the need, the project falls outside our service area, or the cycle had more strong requests than available funding. A decision reflects the priorities and resources of that cycle, and we encourage you to apply again.
Not necessarily. The Board of Directors votes fresh every cycle, so a past award does not guarantee a future one. Your earlier grant and its evaluation are part of the summary the Board sees, so completing the grant evaluation helps your next application.
The decision follows the close of the cycle. The Grant Committee reads every application and prepares a summary for the Board, and the Board votes at its next meeting. Once the Board votes, grants are distributed shortly after.
If this is your first application, yes. The Executive Director reaches out to organizations the Foundation does not know yet. For larger requests, we may also talk with you about your organization’s planning and long-term goals.
We’re glad to explain any part of the process. If you’re preparing your first application, let us know, and we’ll help you get started.
