Letter of Inquiry

Regardless of past grant history with the Foundation, we prefer that all potential applicants submit a two- to three-page Letter of Inquiry rather than calling. The letter may be mailed to the Foundation office and should include:

• A brief statement of your organization's mission, contact information, and a copy of your tax determination letter reflecting your 501(c)(3) status

• A brief summary of the proposal and a copy of the current program-specific budget (if applicable) — please note the amount being requested and the amount committed to date for the proposal

• A copy of the current organization budget

You will be notified if the Foundation is requesting a full proposal; all letters will be acknowledged. While Letters of Inquiry are accepted at any time, please be aware that deadlines for receipt of full proposals are June 15 and December 15 each year.

Proposal Processing

The Co-Trustees and Board of Advisors meet twice a year to consider grant requests. Once an organization has received the "green light" to submit a Full Grant Proposal, the full Grant Making Guidelines will be provided to them. Please be aware that the deadlines for submitting such Full Grant Proposals are JUNE 15 for review in August and DECEMBER 15 for review in February. Grant requests are accepted for the August meeting beginning on April 1 and for the February meeting beginning on October 1. Groups submitting early will have a greater chance of being site-visited.

Once a full proposal has been received, the Co-Trustees will review the request to determine whether it will be submitted to the Board of Advisors for their consideration. The Co-Trustees have final responsibility for all grant proposal approvals and rejections.

Site visits are given a high priority by the Co-Trustees of The Brotherton Foundation. They are, however, arranged only at the request of the Co-Trustees. The Co-Trustees will not meet with any organization until a complete grant request together with all supporting documentation has been submitted to the Foundation.

Grant Review Process

The Trustees endeavor to support organizations whose projects they believe will have the greatest impact on issues of concern to The Brotherton Foundation. Once it is determined that the organization and the one or two proposed projects fall within our grant-making guidelines, a thorough review of each proposal focuses on such questions as the following:

• Is there a need for this kind of program or service in the community? Are other agencies already providing the same kind of service? If so, is the proposal unique in any respect?

• Are the goals of the proposal aggressive enough? Too aggressive?

• Is the budget for the proposal realistic?

• Is the proposal cost effective in its anticipated results?

• Has the program been well planned?

• Is the Board/Staff committed to undertaking the project regardless of Brotherton Foundation support? (If so, how?)

If there is sufficient interest in a proposal, the review process will frequently include a meeting with the grant-seeking agency's Executive Director and, if possible, a Board Member and Program Head, in an effort to answer such questions as the following:

• Is the Executive Director an effective leader with a capable and well-trained staff?

• Does the organization have a proven track record in general? Specifically as to this program?

• Does this organization have the capability of expanding to meet the community's increasing needs?

• Is this organization offering innovative programs or is it replicating/duplicating others' efforts?

• What is the overall present financial situation of this organization?

• Is the Board of Directors an "active" or a "paper" Board?

• Does the Board financially support the organization commensurate with their means? Do they also solicit support from their personal/business contacts?

• Does the organization have a written Long Range Plan and Mission Statement developed with the full participation of the Board?

Any additional inquiries may be directed to:

Ms. Maribeth A. Ligus
Administrative Director
Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Foundation
1141 Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Suite C-6
Ringwood, NJ 07456
Phone 973-728-6100
Fax 973-728-6060
Email: brothertonfoundation@yahoo.com