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Applying for a Grant

The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation only funds charitable organizations qualified under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code located in New York City and the Tri-State Area.

The Foundation’s policy is not to accept unsolicited grant proposals.  However, exceptions are made when such a proposal is exceptionally compelling and falls within our current grantmaking objectives.  What this means is organizations are discouraged from applying to the foundation directly. They can contact the foundation at first to ascertain interest. Depending on whether the organization meets the Foundation’s funding criteria and current priorities, they are invited to submit a full proposal.

Most grants range in size from $15,000 to $50,000 and are made on an annual basis. The Foundation does entertain requests for renewal funding, and will consider multi-year grants and grants in larger amounts for projects the Foundation considers to be of unusual merit.

As a general policy, meetings between Foundation staff and applicants are arranged only if serious consideration of a grant proposal is anticipated. With limited resources compared to the number of grant solicitations, the Foundation is able to fund only a small portion of the worthwhile requests it receives.

The Board of Directors meets once a quarter to review proposals.  The Foundation’s policy has been not to make contributions to/for:

» Nonprofit organizations outside of New York City and the tri-state area

» Annual appeals, dinner functions, and fundraising events

» Endowments and capital campaigns

» Loans and deficit financing

» Housing

» International organizations

» Directly to individuals or to organizations not qualified as charitable organizations

» For foreign travel or foreign study