Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The J. Walton Bissell Foundation focuses its giving on 3 pillars: supporting communities under threat, elevating the arts,
and investing in people with disabilities. In addition, there are five (5) key markers the Foundation uses to evaluate an organization's fit for grant funding. Please visit
our Home and Apply pages for more information.
No, the Foundation is not a family foundation. It is a private foundation with an endowment
provided by Mr. J. Walton Bissell, who left all of his assets to the Foundation. Today, the Foundation is stewarded by a lean staff and board.
ELIGIBILITY BASICS
What types of organizations can receive funding?
The Foundation makes grants only to organizations created under the laws of the United States that are classified by
the Internal Revenue Service as exempt from Federal income tax pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and as not being private foundation.
If you are a newer initiative and have not yet received their IRS designation letter, you
may apply through a 501(c)(3) serving as the fiscal sponsor for your grant. You will need to provide the most recent Form 990, budget vs. actuals, and current budget for your fiscal
sponsor as well as your project's budget. Your fiscal sponsor organization will receive the grant payment and serve as the administrator of the grant on your behalf, typically for a
fee.
No.
The Foundation accepts
applications for general operating support and project support. Capital and capacity-building support is not offered.
No. The Foundation’s policy is not to make grants to an
organization in more than three consecutive calendar years and not to make or consider more than one grant to an organization in any calendar year. Should exigent circumstances arise which
warrant an exception to this policy, an appeal is required identifying the circumstances. If an exception is made, in no instance will a grant be made in more than four consecutive years.
Barring other changes, organization partners may return to apply to the Foundation after a complete calendar year in which they did not receive funds.
Only if you received funds in the first cycle of 2025 can you apply in the first cycle of 2027. There are occasions when organizations wish to change the
timing of their grant cycle, and the staff will work with you to find a solution.
No. You must wait a minimum of 1 year between
applications, regardless of whether or not you received a grant.
QUESTIONS ABOUT APPLICATION FORM
The application begins by establishing a Blackbaud account from the link on our Apply page. From here, applicants are routed to one or another Eligibility Quiz and Application Form.
Once you access the application, complete each of the tabs on the form, and provide key financial documents. Our staff will review all submitted responses and attachments over several
weeks. During this time, we may contact you with questions about your application or your financial documents, or arrange to have further conversation.
You may always answer with the letters N/A. Successful applicants will
demonstrate 4 out of the 5 markers listed on our Apply page. Your application will
invite you to name the 4 markers that are most relevant to your work. There are likely questions to which you do not have an answer at this time.
The Foundation typically performs 2
grant cycles per calendar year, with deadlines in late February and late August. Visit our Apply page for updates on application form availability, and our Home page for key information and updates.
Applications are due at 11:59 PM on the date of the
deadline.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT QUESTIONS
Our Video Tutorial page provides an illustrated demonstration of the password reset functions. If resetting
your password does not resolve the issue, we suggest trying to open the site in another browser. If, after trying this, you continue to have difficulty, please email us.
Your staff now has the
capacity to manage application "permissions," giving another user access to own or edit applications. Our staff is always available to transfer an account from one user to another under your
authority. Don't hesitate to contact us for assistance.
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