Capital Support
Requests for capital funding are only accepted once per year. Please read the following information in its entirety. If you have questions or want to discuss your capital project, please contact the Foundation at 612-623-1654.
The Foundation defines “capital” as real estate, bricks and mortar; permanent fixtures added either to a structure or to real estate; or significant program equipment needs. Our capital grants typically range from $25,000 to $100,000, with occasional exceptions for larger amounts.
We anticipate a reduction in grantmaking resources in 2010. As a result, we will be making a limited number of capital grants. Not all applications that meet our funding criteria will be awarded funding.
Application Process
We accept requests for capital grants once per year through an online Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process that is described below. LOI's must be received in our offices by January 8. The link to submit a capital request Letter of Inquiry is located at the bottom of this page.
We recommend that all potential applicants talk with a Foundation staff member to discuss their capital project before submitting an LOI.
Our staff will review LOI's received, and invite full proposals from those that most closely align with our interests and capital grant guidelines. We will invite full proposals by February 15, allowing the organization approximately one month to submit by our March 15 deadline. This is the only grant round each year where capital requests will be considered.
LOI's not invited to submit a full proposal will receive feedback that should be helpful in any potential future applications, as appropriate.
We make a number of capital grants annually at the discretion of the trustees, many who live outside of Minnesota . Unsolicited applications for these funds are not accepted.
Funding Criteria
All capital funding requests must meet the following criteria:
- For capital projects of $100,000 or more, the organization must have reached a minimum of 60% of its financial goal in pledges and contributions received, and developed a reasonable plan to secure the remainder.
- For capital projects under $100,000, the organization must have a reasonable plan to secure the total amount needed.
- The capital project, when completed, will allow the organization to serve its constituents more efficiently, more effectively, and/or with increased capacity.
- The organization has not received a capital grant from the Foundation within the last three years.
- The organization is financially solvent, with stable leadership.
- The organization is located in Minnesota and funding would address a capital need in the Twin Cities 7-county metropolitan region.
Specific projects that will be considered for capital support include, but are not limited to:
- new building construction,
- renovations to or remodeling of an existing building,
- renovations to meet ADA requirements or improve accessibility,
- housing construction for populations with multiple barriers,
- build-out on new leased office space,
- pre-development funds for specific, substantial, and multi-faceted projects,
- roof repair or replacement,
- HVAC or climate control system replacement or upgrade, and
- specialized medical equipment or independent living enhancements.
Additional Funding Considerations
Before reviewing a request and/or funding a project, we also take the following into consideration:
- The Foundation prefers not to be a lead funder or “first-in” funder. We generally only make a capital grant once the campaign has reasonable probability of success.
- The Foundation generally makes capital grants to organizations that have a prior history of programmatic support from us.
- The project is well thought out and well organized, and when completed will make a measurable impact on the population served or the community in which it is located.
- The building takes advantage of environmental technologies and efficiencies that can lead to cost-savings and a decreased carbon footprint.
- Requests for pre-development support will be considered. However, if your organization is seeking support for a pre-development loan fund either for internal use on a variety of projects or for re-granting to other entities, we advise you to contact a Foundation staff member to discuss your proposal prior to submitting the LOI.
- The Foundation does not make capital grants for vehicle purchases, technology upgrades, or cosmetic improvements.
GRANT SUBMISSIONS
Click below to begin the online LOI for capital funding:
Capital Letter of Inquiry
For questions or concerns about the online application process:
Please call Dana Jensen, Grants Manager, at 612-623-1652 or via email at djensen@phillipsfnd.org
For questions about submitting an LOI for capital funding:
Please contact one of our Foundation staff at 612-623-1654 or via email at phillipsfnd@phillipsfnd.org
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