BNF
Our Approach To Grantmaking
Great philanthropy is distinguished not by the size of the grant or gift, but by what it accomplishes.
~ Tom Tierney
Foundations can achieve their philanthropic purposes only through the work of their grantees. Our success as a grant maker is dependent on our grantees’ success. Berger North Foundation sees itself as a partner with the organizations we fund. During the grantmaking process, transparency, accountability, efficiency, concrete results producing measurable and lasting impact is of highest priority. Berger North Foundation sees its work as only one piece of the whole puzzle in order to get the best results. Berger North Foundation looks for grantees who leverage a variety of external resources to expand support for their ideas and projects. We value strategic grantmaking and support multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving.
Grantmaking Interests
Berger North Foundation supports established charitable organizations, particularly ones in the following program categories:
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Healthcare
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Social services
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Education
Please view the What We Fund page for more information regarding Berger North Foundation’s granting interests.
Grant Applicants
Berger North Foundation does not accept or consider unsolicited proposals or grant applications. Grants are invitation only and generated internally by a Invitation to submit Application process through which it invites U.S.-based nonprofit organizations to submit an application for discretionary grant funds in a particular program category.
Frequency of Grants
Berger North Foundation accepts only one grant request per organization per 12-month period.
Organizations that receive grants during a previous grant making cycle are not eligible for the upcoming grant cycle unless the funds have been expended AND the organization has already submitted a final report.
Funding Amounts
The total dollars available and the number of grants made will be determined at the time of funding. There is no minimum annual funding amount set for project operations of funding recipients.
Large Grants to Small Organizations:
Organizations that seek grants from foundations are usually principally interested in obtaining the maximum amount of funding to achieve their charitable purposes. However, it is important to Berger North Foundation that its grantees maintain a broad donor base. Grant amounts will be set in relation to the non-profit organization's other support.
Documents & Forms
Prospective grantees will be invited to fill out the Berger North Foundation’s Discretionary Grant Application. Documents & forms the are helpful to prepare a discretionary grant application and administer the awards are available on the Applicant Tools & Materials page.
Application Deadlines
Winter:
August 1 - August 31
Berger North Foundation requests applications from select non-profit organizations.
September 30
Deadline for the non-profits to submit proposals
October 1 - November 15
Six to eight weeks for Berger North Foundation to consider proposals, ask additional questions, conduct site visits and make decisions.
November 15 - December 15
Berger North Foundation makes grant distributions.
Spring:
March 1
Berger North Foundation requests applications from select non-profit organizations.
April 1
Deadline for the non-profits to submit proposals
April 1 - May 15
Six to eight weeks for Berger North Foundation to consider proposals, ask additional questions, conduct site visits and make decisions
May 15 - June 15
Berger North Foundation makes grant distributions.
Nonprofits who received funding in 2014 and receive an RFP for 2015 (and wish to reapply), need to have their final report submitted and approved before submitting a new grant request. Nonprofits not reapplying have 90 calendar days after the completion date of the grant period to submit their report. It is recommended that all grantees turn in the final report as soon as the funds are expended. All future grantees will only have 30 calendar days after the completion date of the grant period to submit their final report.
Grant Evaluation Criteria
Berger North Foundation is interested in creating the highest possible level of human gain for the grant dollars available. In determining the merits and priority of in application, the Program Officers will give particular consideration to:
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The importance of the particular problem or need being addressed.
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The importance of the program to the Foundation’s objectives and ideals.
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The results and/or impact of the program on the issue it addresses.
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Whether the organization is doing an effective job of coordinating its services with other similar organizations.
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Whether the organization is efficient and well managed.
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The capability of the organization to manage the program. How likely is it that the results can be achieved? Our assessment will be based on such factors as past successes of the organization and its programs, validity of the proposed program approach, and organizational capability.
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Whether the organization has mechanisms in place to regularly evaluate and improve the quality of the services it provides.
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Is this the best possible use of Berger North Foundation’s funds given other opportunities before us? We consider the cost relative to the gain - not just for our funds, but all monies going into a project or program.