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?
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Miami, Chicago, Denver
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Recent grantee or invited organization: Full application.
All other eligible organizations: Letter of Interest (LOI).
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DC/Northern Virginia, Baltimore, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco
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Recent grantee or invited organization: Full application.
All other organizations: Not eligible to submit an unsolicited LOI or application.
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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.
