Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I apply?

Qualified organizations which meet the Foundation’s grant making guidelines may submit a “letter of inquiry” through our online grants portal. Please click on "create new account" to generate your logon credentials and complete the registration process. If your organization has an existing account with multiple logins, each user must have a unique email address. Contact the Executive Director to merge your username with your organization's existing account.

2. Who is eligible to apply for funding?

The Foundation only awards grants to established organizations located in North and South Carolina which are classified as a public charity and qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

If your 501(c)(3) status is pending with the IRS, then you may not apply.

3. When can my organization submit an application?

Letters of inquiry from qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations located in North and South Carolina are accepted through mid-August annually for consideration by the Board in March, June and September. Full grant proposals (requires LOI approval and invitation to submit) are considered during the second, third and fourth quarters of the year.

4. What type organizations does the Van Every Foundation fund?

Please refer to our "Areas of Focus" tab above for more detailed information.

5. Can another nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization apply on behalf of my charity?

No. The Van Every Foundation does not make grants to organizations via fiscal agents.

6. Do you have guidelines for grant submissions?

Please refer to our Grantseekers page.

7. When are your grant deadlines?

The Van Every Foundation Board of Directors meet quarterly during the months of March, June, September and December.

Letters of inquiry are due by 5:00 p.m. on Feb.10, May 10, and Aug.10. Letters of inquiry received after the deadline will be considered at the next quarterly Board meeting. The Foundation does not accept letters of inquiry during the fourth quarter.

Full grant proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on May 10, Aug.10, and Nov.10. Grant proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.

Notification of grant decisions will be sent to the applicant within four weeks after a scheduled Board meeting.

*Please do not contact the Foundation to inquire about the status of an application.

8. How often can my organization apply?

Letters of inquiry and full grant proposals (if invited) from qualified organizations are accepted once per 12 month cycle. If your organization submitted a proposal and was denied, you must wait until the next calendar year to apply. Organizations receiving a pledge award from the Foundation should refrain from applying until your pledge has been paid in full.

9. What is the typical size and duration of your grant awards?

The Van Every Foundation awards grants to select organizations annually. Typical grant awards range in size from $10,000 to $50,000. Less than 20 percent of our grant awards are in the form of multi-year pledges. The average duration of pledges is 3 years.

10. Does the Van Every Foundation fully fund programs?

No. The Van Every Foundation supports healthy organizations that demonstrate fiscal responsibility and maintain a diverse donor base.

11. What is the maximum amount my organization can request?

Large capital requests should be discussed with the Foundation's Executive Director prior to the submission of a letter of inquiry.

12. How do you determine which organizations receive grants?

Letters of Inquiry and formal grant proposals are vetted by the Executive Director and are only approved by action of the full Board of Directors following an arduous review process. Grant awards are based on the following factors: impact and scope of the project, the Foundation's level of interest in the project, competition for funding, funds available for distribution, and other elements. Applicants are usually notified within 30 days after a Board meeting.

*Please do not contact the Foundation to inquire about the status of an application.

13. Does the Foundation require a final report?

The Van Every Foundation requires a final "follow-up" report, which will show up on your dashboard of the Foundation’s online grants portal. If your funds have not been fully utilized, the Foundation may request an explanation and plan to expend the funding.

*A final report from your organization is required in order to be considered for future funding from the Philip L. Van Every Foundation.

14. What types of requests are outside the interests of the Foundation?

15. What types of requests does the Foundation not support?

16. Would it be helpful for me to contact a Foundation Board member to discuss my request?

All inquiries should be submitted via the Executive Director. If warranted, the Executive Director will contact a Board member to discuss your request.