FAQ
What are the deadlines for proposals?
There are no deadlines. Proposals are accepted year round.
When does the Board of Directors meet?
The Board of Directors for both Foundations meets quarterly - March, June, September and December.
What is the process? How long before I am notified of a decision?
Every request goes through an initial rigorous evaluation process by the staff that generally takes four to six weeks. If the purpose of the request and the mission of the organization fit within the Foundations' guidelines, a program officer will conduct a site visit to further consider the proposal. Following a site visit, a recommendation is prepared for the Board's review.
What is an appropriate time frame to follow up on a proposal?
If you do not have any communications from the Foundations after you submit your application, you may contact the Foundations after 30 days.
Can I meet or talk with someone from the Foundations' offices? Do the Foundations make site visits?
Office visits are generally discouraged, and except in rare cases, a site visit to the organization is required prior to Board review.
How many copies of the proposal do the Foundations require?
Only one complete proposal needs be submitted for review.
What are the sizes of grants (i.e. how much should we request)?
Please refer to the grants approved section to see the types and amounts of grants the Foundations award.
Do the Foundations give multi-year grants?
The Foundations do not generally make multi-year grant commitments.
Do the Foundations fund start-ups?
The Foundations do not generally provide seed money or funding for start-up projects or organizations.
How large is the Board of Directors? Who sits on the Board?
There are 13 members of the Foundations' Board of Directors:
Anissa Boudjakdji Balson
David J. Barrett
Frank A. Bennack, Jr.
John G. Conomikes
Richard E. Deems
Victor F. Ganzi
George R. Hearst, Jr., President, The Hearst Foundation, Inc.
John R. Hearst, Jr.
William R. Hearst, III, President, William Randolph Hearst Foundation
Harvey L. Lipton
Gilbert C. Maurer
Mark F. Miller
Virginia Randt
Why are there two Foundations? How are they different?
The Hearst Foundation, Inc. was founded by William Randolph Hearst in 1945. In 1948 Mr. Hearst established the California Charities Foundations, later renamed The William Randolph Hearst Foundation. Both Foundations are guided by the same charitable mission, which reflects the philanthropic interests of their founder. The two Foundations are managed as one entity, sharing the same funding guidelines, leadership, and staff. Staff based in the headquarters in New York City review all proposals from organizations located east of the Mississippi River, and staff in the San Francisco office review those from organizations west of the Mississippi.
What is the Foundations' relationship with The Hearst Corporation?
Both Foundations are independent private philanthropies operating separately from The Hearst Corporation.
Do the Foundations fund religious or faith-based organizations?
The Foundations will consider requests from faith-based organizations, provided the services they offer are inclusive and fit within our guidelines.
Do you make program-related investments (PRIs)?
No, the Foundations do not make program-related investments.
Do the Foundations fund individuals?
The Foundations do not consider requests for grants to individuals.
Do the Foundations fund international work or organizations located outside of the United States?
No, grant funds must be used for charitable purposes exclusively within the United States and its territories.
Can I include extra items with my proposal such as video/audio tapes, newspaper articles, cd-roms, etc?
Supplemental materials should be held to the minimum necessary to convey a basic understanding of the organization, i.e. the annual report. Videotapes should not be sent unless specifically requested.
Can the Foundations suggest other resources that may be useful to nonprofit organizations?
Please visit the websites for these organizations:
Council on Foundations
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers
Foundation Center
Independent Sector
BoardnetUSA
Council of Independent Colleges
National Council of Nonprofit Associations
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