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Mary Hicks Preston
Historical Improvement & Betterment
Foundation
Application Process
The first step is to submit a one page Letter of Inquiry. Letters can be submitted at any time during the year, as they are reviewed on a continuous basis. We welcome the opportunity to meet with prospective grantees, but prefer to wait until after we receive a letter to determine if the meeting will be useful.

The Letter of Inquiry should include the following:
  • background of your organization
  • statement of the issues to be addressed and your organization's involvement with these issues
  • summary of the activities for which you are requesting funding, including what you hope to accomplish, current and proposed budgets, amount requested from the Foundation and information on other possible sources of support
Letters of inquiry are reviewed by the Board who determine if requests meet the Foundation's funding priorities. Those not meeting the priorities or criteria are declined. Requests that meet the priorities and criteria are given further consideration and a full proposal may be requested. Full proposals should be submitted to the Foundation only upon request. Since the Foundation receives more requests than it can fund, you should not interpret a request for a proposal as an indication of likely support.

You must submit a final Post Grant Self Evaluation report on any previous grants from the Foundation before a new proposal will be considered. If the previous grant period is not complete by the proposal deadline, you may file an interim or status report. A final report must be submitted before payment for a new grant will be issued.

We may request additional information from applicants and consult with persons knowledgeable about the organization and/or the proposed activities. As part of the review process, we will meet with the applicant preferably at its location. Final decisions on grants are made by the Foundation's Board of Directors.
Please send letters of inquiry to:
Mary Hicks Preston Foundation
PO Box 21
Phelps, NY 14532
Email:
Full Proprosal Checklist
HOW TO APPLY: Include the following information in your application for funding. Please be strategic and concise in your application. Your proposal narrative (parts 2 and 3 below) must not exceed three pages; proposals that exceed the three-page maximum will not be considered.

  1. Cover sheet - Letter of Inquiry Form. (NB: the checklist is for your benefit and need not be included)

  2. Profile of your organization:
    • General background on your organization
    • Mission of organization
    • A brief description of programs and population served and geographic reach

  3. Profile of your request:
    • Please indicate the specific amount of funding requested and how it will be spent
    • Describe the project for which you are seeking funds
    • Explain the community need that exists and why this project is important to your constituents and/or the community
    • Indicate how you will inform and involve the community about this project
    • Describe what you plan to accomplish and how will you measure your progress
    • If matching or on-going funding is needed, indicate plans for securing such support

  4. Project budget with line item expenses and sources of project income and brief statement of organization’s budget (one page)

  5. List of Board of Directors and their professional or civic affiliations

  6. INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ATTACHMENTS: (attachments A and B are required)
    1. Copy of organization’s determination letter of 501(c)(3) status by the IRS, or evidence of monitoring by a qualified fiscal agent if appropriate (i.e., statement agreeing to serve as fiscal agent)
    2. Financial information, including: a copy of the current annual operating budget with line item expenses and sources of operating revenue and reserve funds, if applicable (for the applicant organization, or for its fiscal agent if applicant is not a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization)
    3. Letter from collaborating agencies, if appropriate
Proposals should be submitted on white paper (no binders or covers) and stapled in the upper left corner. One original and four copies of your proposal (parts 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 above) and one copy of attachments (A and B are required) must be mailed to the Foundation office. No faxes will be accepted. Incomplete applications will not be submitted to the Board for consideration.

NB: If you would like to include a cover letter or brochure from your organization, please include only one copy and do not attach it to your proposal.