Frequently Asked Questions
Applying for a Grant
Q. I heard a number of applications are not even considered for a grant because after the initial review they did not satisfy one of the requirements. What are the most common mistakes that disqualify grant applications from consideration?
A. Not meeting eligibility requirements. The organization lacks the required nonprofit status or an eligible fiscal sponsor.
Requesting money for excluded expenses. The request includes costs the funder specifically prohibits.
Leaving the application incomplete. Required questions, attachments, signatures, or financial information are missing.
Invalid submission instructions. Applicants use the wrong submission method, omit required copies, or exceed mandatory limits.
Leaving prior grant obligations unfinished. A required report or project evaluation from an earlier award has not been submitted.
Q. We see in the grant overview and instructions that you do not fund religious institutions. We are interested in undertaking a project that addresses a significant need in our community. Would you consider a grant application from us?
A. We have funded churches for projects that would benefit the entire community. An example is a church that undertook a project to supply a backpack and school supplies to all students in their community school. The church had other partners in the community who supported this project with dollars and volunteer hours.
Q. We are an organization that does not have a 501c3, 5 or 6 or 170b federal income tax designation, but we have an idea for a project that would benefit our community. What does it mean to affiliate with another entity that has this designation? Who might that be?
A. To affiliate with another organization that has a federal tax designation as a 501c 3, 5 6, or 170b means to ask this organization if they are willing to receive the funds and pay the bills for your project. There may be foundations that would agree to manage your funds for you. Units of government such as city and county governments and schools have a 170b designation. These entities may be willing to act as fiscal agents if they see that your project will benefit their community.
Q. We are a new organization and have just received confirmation that we have been designated as a 501c3 charitable organization. We need funds to hire someone to help us get organized and develop a website. Would you fund this?
A. No. We do not approve grants for organization start-ups or for salaries or wages of individuals. We also do not fund items consumable items such as food or diapers. We do not fund stipends, lodging, or travel.
Q. In general what types of grants do you fund?
A. We are continuously looking for projects that address county, community, and/or rural issues that will positively impact the greatest number of Dallas County residents. Our areas for emphasis include:
Arts
Culture
Humanities and Human Services
Education
Public and Society
Health
Environment
We encourage and are looking for innovative, creative, diverse, and unique projects that need final-phase funding. We do not grant “seed money” for projects.
Q. How many grants are awarded each year?
A. The number of grants awarded depends on the amount of funds available to the Dallas County Foundation each fiscal year and the number of applicants. We have funded individual grants from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.
Q. What types of requests will you not award grants for?
A. The following are the types of requests that will not be considered:
• Annual operating expenses for an organization
• Grants for an individual
• Scholarships
• Salaries
• Taxes
• Transportation Costs
• Insurance
• Shipping costs
• Budget deficits
• Other endowment foundations
• Recurring expenses
• Projects not serving Dallas County Residents
• Politically sensitive projects
• Religious projects
• Start-up funds/seed money
• Consumable items (such as diapers, food, paper)
Q. If we are unable to spend all the funds within twelve months, what should we do?
A. If the project will not be completed within that time frame, please contact DCF to request a time extension.