Venable Foundation

2027 Eligibility and Application Process

The Venable Foundation provides place-based funding to nonprofit organizations serving communities where Venable has major offices. Beginning in 2027, eligibility to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) or full application varies by location.

Please review the requirements below before registering in the grants portal or beginning a submission.

Miami, Chicago, and Denver

New applicants are welcome to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI).

Organizations with eligible locations and/or programs in Miami, Chicago, or Denver may submit an LOI for consideration. The LOI serves as an introduction to the organization and its work and helps the Foundation determine whether there is a potential fit with its funding priorities.

Organizations may submit a full application if they:

• received a Venable Foundation grant within the past two calendar years; or
• have been invited by the Venable Foundation to apply.

Organizations that do not meet either of these criteria should begin by submitting an LOI. If the Foundation determines that there is a potential fit, the organization will be invited to submit a full application.

DC/Northern Virginia, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

Applications are limited to recent Venable Foundation grantees and organizations invited to apply.

Organizations with eligible locations and/or programs in DC/Northern Virginia, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco may submit a full application only if they:

• received a Venable Foundation grant within the past two calendar years; or
• have been invited by the Venable Foundation to apply.

If your organization does not meet either of these criteria, please do not submit an LOI or full application. Unsolicited requests from these locations will not be considered.

What Should I Submit?

A recent grantee is an organization that received a Venable Foundation grant within the past two calendar years.

Geographic Eligibility

Eligible organizations and proposals must be based in or provide substantial programs or services benefitting one of the following Venable Foundation communities:

• Washington, DC and Northern Virginia, including Fairfax County, Arlington County, Alexandria, and Falls Church
• Baltimore City and County
• New York City, specifically within the five boroughs
• Los Angeles City and County
• San Francisco Bay Area, with an emphasis on San Francisco
• Chicago, specifically within the city but extending into Cook County
• Miami
• Denver

Organizations with a broader regional or national scope should submit a request focused on work benefiting one eligible Venable Foundation location. Applicants must select the location most directly connected to the programs, services, and primary community impact for which funding is requested. Proposals are reviewed by the corresponding location-specific committee.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

The Venable Foundation makes grants to charitable organizations that are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Eligible nonprofit organizations may pursue one funding request per calendar year. For new applicants, an LOI and any subsequent full application invited by the Foundation are considered part of the same funding request. Organizations eligible to submit an unsolicited LOI may submit one LOI per calendar year.

The Foundation does not fund:

• Projects that promote or proselytize on behalf of any religion or that are closely identified with a faith-based organization;
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or veteran status;
• Research;
• Individual schools or parent/teacher associations; or
• Sponsorships for special events, galas, or other fundraisers.

How to Submit

All LOIs and full applications must be submitted through the Venable Foundation's online grants portal.

New applicants in Miami, Chicago, or Denver: Register in the grants portal and select the "Apply Now" button to begin a Letter of Interest.

Recent grantees and invited organizations: Register or log in to the grants portal and begin a full application.

Organizations that are not eligible under the location-specific requirements above should not register or begin a submission.

New users must register before submitting. If you are a new staff member at an existing grantee organization, register as a new user rather than modifying the login information of a former employee.

LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis and do not have a deadline. Submission of an LOI does not guarantee consideration for the next application cycle.

Full applications are accepted three times per year. Please review the Application Timeline for current deadlines and the Funding Priorities section for information about the Foundation's areas of interest.

The Venable Foundation accepts applications three times per year. Deadlines are February 1st, June 1st, and September 1st each year. Should the deadline fall on a weekend or holiday, the application deadline will extend to the subsequent business day.

Decisions are announced approximately four months after each deadline. Nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply once per calendar year.

The Venable Foundation envisions that its philanthropic investments provide essential resources to nonprofit organizations in communities across the country. Guided by the belief that everyone has the right to equitable employment opportunities, healthcare, housing, food, and a vibrant cultural community, Venable grantees ensure that economically disadvantaged people are given the tools they need to thrive.

Grant support is provided to assist with general operations and projects. Currently, the Venable Foundation’s funding priorities include:

• Human Services
• Legal Services
• Education
• Workforce Development
• Youth Impact
• Health
• Environment
• Arts and Culture

You can learn more about each of these funding priorities below:

Human Services – The Foundation has a strong track record of supporting a breadth of essential human services, including programs that impact people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, incarcerated and returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, and those affected by domestic violence and housing insecurity.

Legal Services – We support the delivery of free or affordable legal services in our communities. Pro bono consulting and representation focus on a variety of issues, including domestic violence, housing, immigration, public benefits, and discrimination, among other areas. Legal service nonprofits providing “know your rights” training and other activities are also supported. The Foundation also supports training for youth and adults to ensure diversity and access to careers in the legal profession.

Education – The Foundation supports a wide array of early childhood, in-school, and out-of-school time initiatives that provide in-depth opportunities for learning and engagement to position children for success and level the playing field for economically disadvantaged youth.

Workforce Development – We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to pursue gainful employment. Thus, we support organizations with the goal of developing the workforce of today and tomorrow. Successful programs recruit and train individuals and place them in relevant jobs so that they can earn a sustainable living wage for themselves and their families. Skill development is focused on low-income, underemployed, and unemployed community members, and on preparing youth for careers after their schooling is complete.

Youth Impact – The Foundation invests in services that impact children in each of our communities. These initiatives ensure economically disadvantaged youth are healthy and safe and have opportunities to thrive.

Health – The Foundation is committed to improving wellness and increasing access to care for economically disadvantaged individuals in the region. Successful organizations and programs work to eliminate barriers to healthcare for all ages and provide accessible and no-stigma testing for a variety of diseases. We support pediatric to geriatric services that address a variety of health concerns.

Environment – We support organizations involved in the preservation of our natural resources and those that are addressing natural or man-made disasters in our target regions. Programs educate communities and work for change on a variety of environmental issues, from wildfires to pollution.

Arts and Culture – The Foundation supports initiatives in the arts that promote deeper public engagement and build up the creative economy, with an emphasis on low-income and underserved communities.

The following organizations received grant awards during the Venable Foundation’s recent funding cycle which culminated in May 2026.

Eligibility Questions

I'm new to the Venable Foundation. Am I eligible to apply?

Eligibility for new applicants depends on the location where the proposed work will take place.

Miami, Chicago, and Denver: New applicants that meet the Foundation's eligibility requirements may submit a Letter of Interest (LOI). Recent grantees may submit a full application.

DC/Northern Virginia, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco: The Foundation does not accept unsolicited LOIs or applications. Organizations may apply only if they are a recent grantee or have been invited by the Foundation to apply.

If your organization is not eligible to submit an LOI or application, please do not register in the grants portal.

What does the Foundation mean by a "recent grantee"?

A recent grantee is an organization that received a Venable Foundation grant within the past two calendar years. Recent grantees may submit a full application, subject to all other eligibility requirements.

What am I eligible to submit — an LOI or a full application?

I'm a newly formed nonprofit. May I apply?

Yes, provided your organization meets all Foundation eligibility requirements, including the location-specific requirements described above. New organizations in Miami, Chicago, and Denver may submit an LOI. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests from organizations in DC/Northern Virginia, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.

An organization's EIN must also be recognized through the grants portal's IRS nonprofit database before it can register and submit an LOI or application.

Do I need a Venable LLP connection in order to apply?

No. A connection to Venable LLP does not determine eligibility. Eligibility is based on the Foundation's location-specific requirements.

Can I contact the Foundation to request an invitation to apply?

No. Invitations to apply are initiated by the Venable Foundation and cannot be requested. Organizations should not contact Foundation staff to request an invitation to apply or to schedule an introductory meeting for the purpose of seeking an invitation.

If your organization is not currently eligible to submit an LOI or full application under the Foundation's location-specific eligibility requirements, outreach to Foundation staff will not change its eligibility status.

Organizations interested in future funding opportunities are encouraged to review the Foundation's website periodically for updates to its eligibility requirements and grantmaking priorities.

How often may I apply?

Eligible organizations may pursue one funding request per calendar year. For new applicants, an LOI and any subsequent full application invited by the Foundation are considered part of the same funding request.

Organizations eligible to submit an unsolicited LOI may submit one LOI per calendar year. Submission of an LOI does not guarantee an invitation to submit a full application.

My organization serves multiple locations or has a regional or national scope. Which eligibility rules apply?

Applicants must select one Venable Foundation location for each request. Select the location most directly connected to the programs, services, and community impact for which funding is requested. Proposals are reviewed by location-specific committees.

The eligibility requirements for the selected location apply to the submission. Organizations may not select a location solely for the purpose of qualifying for a different application pathway.

For example, a national organization seeking support specifically for work in Miami may submit an LOI under the Miami location. A national organization seeking support specifically for work in Baltimore may submit only if it is a recent grantee or has been invited to apply.

Registration and Online Application Questions

I can't find my organization when registering. What should I do?

On the "Organization Search" page, enter information in only one search field. We recommend searching by EIN without dashes or spaces.

The portal verifies tax-exempt status through the IRS nonprofit database. Newly formed nonprofits may not appear until the IRS database has been updated. Organizations cannot register until their EIN is recognized by the portal.

I can't locate my draft application already in progress. Where is it?

Once logged into the Venable Foundation grants portal, applications initiated by the user can be found under "My Applications." Review the available categories — including Draft, Submitted, Under Review, Approved, and Declined — and select the appropriate column to continue a draft or review a submitted or past application.

Our organization's primary contact has changed. What should we do?

The new contact person should register as a new user in the grants portal. Do not change a former employee's username, email address, or permissions, as doing so may affect account access for others at the organization.

Historical grant records are not automatically visible to a new user. Contact the Foundation if ownership of existing grant records needs to be transferred to a newly registered staff member. Only one user at a time may be designated as the main contact for each grant record.

General Application Guidance

How much funding should I request?

The average Venable Foundation grant is approximately $10,000, with first-time grants generally falling below the average. Applicants should request an amount that is appropriate to the scope of the proposed work and the organization's needs.

May I request General Operating Support or Project Support?

Applicants may request either General Operating Support or Project Support, depending on the organization's needs and the scope of the request.

Organizations with a regional or national scope must submit a project request centered on one eligible Venable Foundation location. Eligibility to submit an LOI or full application will be determined by the location associated with that project. Each project request must include a separate project budget.

Which funding category or priority area should I select?

Many nonprofits span two or more priority areas. Applicants should select the Venable Foundation funding priority that most closely reflects the primary purpose of the organization or proposed work.

Do you fund special events or fundraisers?

No. The Venable Foundation does not provide sponsorship funding for special events, galas, fundraisers, or similar activities.

May I apply using a fiscal sponsor?

Yes. Organizations that use a fiscal sponsor may apply for support, provided they otherwise meet the Foundation's eligibility requirements.

When registering, select "Affiliate Organization" as the registration type because the 501(c)(3) tax identification number may be shared by other entities. This creates a distinct organizational record. In the proposal, describe the relationship between your organization or project and the fiscal sponsor.

I am a chapter or affiliate of a larger organization. May I apply?

Yes, provided the chapter or affiliate meets the Foundation's eligibility requirements. When registering, select "Affiliate Organization" if the 501(c)(3) tax identification number is shared with a parent or affiliated entity. This creates a distinct record for your chapter or affiliate.

In the proposal, describe the relationship between your organization and the parent or affiliated entity, and clearly identify the local work for which funding is requested.

How much information should I include in the proposal?

Applicants are encouraged to be concise and provide enough information for the Foundation to understand the organization's mission, proposed work, community served, anticipated impact, and case for support. Follow any field-specific instructions or limits provided in the online application.

When will I hear back on the result of my application?

The time from an application deadline to a funding decision is generally four months. Applications submitted after a deadline will be reviewed in the subsequent grant cycle, which will extend the decision timeline.

Can I meet with Foundation staff before applying or after receiving a funding decision?

Due to the volume of requests received, Foundation staff are unable to offer individual pre-proposal consultations or post-decision feedback meetings. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements, funding priorities, application guidance, and FAQs available on the Foundation website before submitting.

Michael W. Bigley