To provide the catalyst needed to mobilize human energies and talents that lie dormant.

• By helping people in deprived conditions to develop the skills, motivation and teamwork they need to become productive contributors to society.

• By helping to create conditions in which people can make good use of their skills and motivation and thereby transform their lives.

We have decided to focus on programs that aim to produce permanent improvements in peoples' lives by means of short-term interventions. Such programs address acute problems that block people's chances at critical moments in their lives. Interventions may take a few months, or even a few years, but in the end they enable beneficiaries to overcome the obstacles in their way, and to shift their lives onto promising paths.

We will favor applicants who can best demonstrate a tangible, direct connection between the services their programs provide and the positive shifts that take place in individuals' lives. We will also give preference to organizations whose chances of success can be significantly increased by our support.

None of these criteria are absolute, and we are still in the process of defining our niche. However, these criteria imply that we are now less likely to support programs that provide educational enrichment, services for the handicapped, or activity centers for children — all highly worthwhile endeavors, but not within our scope.

Also outside the scope of our revised mission will be religious organizations that use their charitable programs to promote religious doctrines, foreign organizations that are not incorporated in the United States, and individuals who are seeking financial assistance. For now, we are also restricting our attention to applicants located on the West Coast or on the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S.

1. Fits in with Ceres' mission
   Targets those who most need, deserve and benefit from help
   Directly helps beneficiaries to shift their lives onto promising paths
   Most of organization's budget directly spent on beneficiaries
   Organization's chances of success are affected by Ceres' support

2. Capabilities
   Results: history of accomplishments; efforts to improve or modify operations
   Talent: expertise and achievements of the staff; contributions of Board members
   Self-assessment: monitoring of activities; well-defined measures of success
   Sustainability: strength of fundraising efforts; coherent financial management

3. Special qualities to recommend programs
   Programs are innovative and replicable
   Expands collaboration among related organizations
   Program beneficiaries are involved in planning, implementation
   Assists in the community building its own organizations

4. Awareness of the bigger picture:
   Understanding of the problem: its sources, scope and growth
   Knowledge of others' work on the problem and best practices
   Vision for the future direction of your program

We ask that grant-seekers use the "Common Grant Application Format" designed by the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers. This form can be found on their Web site at www.washingtongrantmakers.org, under "Grantmaker Resources". Please complete all four sections of this application: executive summary, narrative, finances and attachments.

Please mail two copies to:

The Ceres Foundation
18606 Reliant Drive
Gaithersburg, MD 20879

We make grants throughout the year, and applications may be sent at any time. However, our year ends in November, at which time we review applications that we have set aside for further consideration. If you have any questions, we can be contacted at: