The Roberts Foundation has two grant programs: 1) Excellence in the Arts grants (our regular grant program) and, 2) the Creation of New Work Initiative. The guidelines below are for the Excellence in the Arts grants only.

Purpose and Funding Focus

The Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation is a private, special purpose foundation. In accordance with its founders' wishes, its purpose is to support and encourage excellence in the arts.

The Foundation focuses its support on the creation, presentation, and performance of works of art. The Foundation considers project and capital requests and occasionally makes multi-year grants.

Arts education proposals are accepted from arts organizations only. The program must include a meaningful engagement between the students and the artistic process.

Geographic Areas Served

The Foundation gives priority to organizations in the following cities and towns:

• Hartford
• Bloomfield
• East Hartford
• Newington
• South Windsor
• West Hartford
• Wethersfield
• Windsor

Eligibility

• Only organizations that are exempt from Federal income tax under provision 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply.

• After successive years of grants, an organization may be requested to take a year off.

• At least twelve months must pass between applications

• A final report on any previous grant must be on file at the Foundation before a new request will be considered.

The foundation will NOT fund:

• Requests for endowment, general operating, scholarships, or from individuals under its general grantmaking program

• Projects that have already occurred or are underway at the time the Board considers the application (see below for meeting dates)

• Proposals that use a fiscal agent or a pass-through organization

Deadlines and Decisions

• Applications are considered quarterly. Deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.

• A postmark by the deadline date is sufficient (mailed to our PO Box address, it will not be delivered by USPS to our street address), or proposals may be delivered to the Foundation at its offices at 45 South Main Street, Suite 311, in West Hartford Center.

• If the deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the next business day.

• The Board generally meets during the month following the deadline (March, June, September, and December.) Organizations will be notified of the Board's decision shortly after the meeting.

First Step

Application to the Foundation should be initiated with a telephone call to the Executive Director to discuss the proposed project. For first time applicants, the Executive Director may wish to schedule a site visit. For particularly large requests ($25,000 or more), it is recommended that the initial call be made well in advance of application. In these cases, a short (1-2 page) project description may be requested prior to submission of a full application.

Number of Copies

• For requests of $5,000 or more, the Foundation requires eight copies of the proposal including all attachments.

• For requests of less than $5,000, please submit two copies of the proposal including all attachments.

• Please do not use covers or binders.

The Proposal

The Foundation does not have an application form but will accept the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy common grant application or follow the Foundation's requirements below:

1) Cover Letter

• A cover letter that summarizes the request, states the amount requested and when it will be needed. This should be signed by the Executive Director or Board President.

2) Narrative. Please be as complete, specific, and concise as possible, not to exceed 5 pages.

• A brief description of your organization, including its history, mission, current activities, population the organization serves, and governance (including frequency of board meetings and record of attendance).

• Your organization's definition of artistic excellence. How does both your organization and the proposed project meet that definition?

• A description of the subject of the request. How does this fit into the larger context of the organization? Cite the benefits to the community at large. Provide details such as date, time, place, number of participants or attendees, ticket prices and plan to market them, etc.

• A description of how the project will be evaluated.

• The amount of funding desired and when it will be needed.

• A project budget, including all sources of income and expense.

• A list of sources and amounts of grants being sought for the same project. Identify their status.

3) Attachments

Please do not overlook the following requirements as the Foundation carefully examines the financial health and management of the organization in considering its decision.

• Operational budget: last completed fiscal year showing budget and final figures.

• Operational budget: current fiscal year and year-to-date figures.

• Most recent annual financial statement (audited, if available) and most recent annual report or, if not available, a balance sheet for the organization.

• A list of officers and Board members with titles and addresses.

• 501(c)(3) designation

Questions should be directed to Lisa M. Curran, Executive Director, at the Foundation, at (860) 233-0228 or edwannroberts@att.net

Contact Information

Lisa M. Curran, Executive Director
Tel: (860) 233-0228
Fax: (860) 236-8098
E-mail: edwannroberts@att.net

Mailing address:
Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation
P O Box 271588
West Hartford, CT 06127-1588

Deliveries only:
Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation
45 South Main Street, Suite 311
West Hartford, CT 06107

Did You?

• Double-check that a final report on your organization's last grant was filed?
• Double-check that the program will not be underway at the time the Foundation considers the proposal?
• Discuss the proposal with the Foundation's executive director?
• Have the cover letter signed by the Executive Director or Board President?
• Include the correct number of copies?
• Include all of the financial requirements?