GRANT PROCESS

Step 1: Initial Proposal
The IBF encourages unsolicited initial proposals from organizations that support its mission and meet its criteria. Requests for funding may be submitted at any time; though proposals are reviewed and funding decisions are made two times a year.

	Initial Proposal Deadline	Notice of Initial Proposal Decision	Notice of Grant Decision
CYCLE I	March 1, 2008	April 1, 2008	May 15, 2008
CYCLE II	September 30, 2008	October 15, 2008	December 15, 2008

The initial proposal must include the following:

• Application form
• 2-page Initial Proposal describing the project
• Board of Directors roster with business affiliation

Step 2: Presentation to Grants Committee
Organizations whose initial proposals are approved to receive grant application consideration will receive notification and will be invited to meet with the members of the Grants Committee. Note: The invitation to meet with the Committee does not imply a guarantee for selection.

FUNDING SCHEDULE

Requests for funding may be submitted at any time throughout the year; however, proposal review and funding decisions occur two times a year. In 2008, the IBF expects to distribute nearly $70,000 in grants. (Final distribution amounts depend on the performance of the Foundation's invested assets.) The Indianapolis Bar Foundation typically funds one-year grants. While most individual grants are a few thousand dollars, recent grants have been as low as $500, and as high as $50,000. If an organization received a previous grant, a final evaluation report must be submitted and reviewed by Foundation staff prior to requesting another grant.

SERVICE/PROGRAM AREAS

The program to be funded should advance the Indianapolis Bar Foundation mission to advance the administration of justice and an understanding of the law through philanthropy, education and service in the following ways:

• Public education/understanding of the law through direct delivery of services
• Direct delivery of legal services
• Enhances the administration of justice in the Indianapolis metropolitan area

The IBF invites organizations that support its mission and eligibility criteria to submit an Initial Proposal, not to exceed two pages with font size of at least 12-point, and the Initial Application. The Initial Proposal must be submitted on the organization's letterhead and signed by at least two officers of the organization. The letter must include the following:

• a brief description of your organization
• a clear description of the need your request is intended to address, including the time frame and project budget
• a description of the target population and how it will benefit

Please select only one primary focus area (i.e. public education, etc.) and one proposed use of funds (i.e. operating, project, or capital grant).

The Initial Application and the Board of Directors Roster (including business affiliation) must be submitted electronically to ibf@indybar.org. For both project and capital requests, attach a list of other support already received and/or pledged (including sources and amounts). An incomplete proposal will not be processed. No additional materials are to be submitted.

The IBF will acknowledge receipt of all complete Initial Proposals by electronic mail. Because the IBF does not have the resources to meet with all potential grant applicants, it does not meet to discuss applications with any applicants.

Initial Proposals will be accepted on or before the due date. The IBF appreciates those organizations that submit prior to the deadline.