GRANT GUIDELINES

Grant Administration

• We consider only grant requests from faith-based organizations that serve the poor and needy.
• Grants to Texas based organizations for programs in Texas, primarily in the Houston area, are given preference.
• Grants are made only to non-profit organizations that are tax exempt under sections 501 (c)(3) or 170 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation does not make grants to businesses, individuals or loans of any type.
• There are no application deadlines. Grant applications are accepted throughout the year. The Board of Directors meets several times each year; scheduled according to the availability of the Board members. Grant applications are reviewed and discussed at several meetings a year. If your organization's funding is needed by a specific date, your application should be submitted four months in advance.
• Only one copy of a grant request is required. Please submit items from the application checklist to: Grant Coordinator, The Hildebrand Foundation, P.O. Box 1308, Houston, TX 77251-1308.
• Hildebrand Foundation 713-965-9177

The Board prefers not to consider:

• Applications from an organization that has received a multi-year grant from the Foundation until all payments of that grant have been made.
• Organizations that in turn make grants to others.
• Purchase of uniforms, equipment, or trips for school-related organizations or amateur sports teams.
• Applications from an organization more frequently than once every 12 months, whether the previous application was approved or denied.
• Oral presentations from potential applicants.

Application Checklist

• 1. The letter of application should be submitted on the organization's letterhead, should be signed by the chief executive officer or development officer.
• 2. Please give the name, title and telephone number of the contact person if other than the CEO or development officer.
• 3. Please submit evidence from the Internal Revenue Service that
  • (a) the donee organization is a "public charity," that is, an organization which is not a "private foundation" within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and (b) that the donee organization is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 170 (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
• 4. A brief statement of the grant requested providing information pertaining to:
  • a. The amount of the grant, the total funds needed for the project and timing of the grant.
  • b. The purpose of the grant and statement of need. If opinions or statistics are included, the source or reference should be cited.
  • c. Source of funds available for project apart from grants (e.g., proceeds from sale of assets, endowment income or other income).
  • d. How the project will continue to be funded after Foundation's funding ends.
  • e. The proposed method for evaluating the project.
• 5. A description of recipient organization, including:
  • a. Whether the organization has in the past or is now operated under any name other than the name on the IRS determination letter.
  • b. The purpose, scope of operations, history, affiliations, if any.
  • c. The identities of Trustees or Directors, officers and managers.
  • d. The latest year's income and expense statement or audited financial report. A complete copy of the most recent IRS Form 990, including Schedule A and all supporting schedules. Include a brief statement of the number of clients who were served during the time frame of the financial statement period which is sent.
  • e. The latest year's balance sheet and budget for the coming year.
• 6. For grants where proceeds will be used for building construction, renovation, or purchase of real property:
  • a. An architectural rendering or drawing of the facilities to be built or renovated, or photograph of property to be acquired.
  • b. A description of the property-type of construction, square footage, special features, etc...
  • c. A cost estimate.
• 7. Complete and return the Hildebrand Foundation evaluation form.

All formal applications are notified in writing of the action taken by the Board. The Foundation cannot respond favorably to all requests; do not interpret the decision to deny a grant as a negative evaluation of a project or organization. It is not feasible for the Foundation staff to discuss with applicants the reason (s) that the Board may have for declining a request, nor is it reasonable to expect the staff to provide a critique of proposals either before or after action is taken by the Board.