Eligibility
Only organizations classified as one of the following are eligible for grants from the Foundation:
A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity
Organizations/Groups with a Fiscal Sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity
Churches seeking support for non-religious activities (i.e. food banks, after school programs, etc.)
We do not give grants to individuals or for-profit organizations. Preference will be given to organizations that are Black-led meeting two of the three following criteria:
Executive Director is Black and/or African American
50% of Board is Black and/or African American
75% of community served is Black and/or African American
Fiscal Sponsorship
If your organization/group is not a church nor has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity status you are required to have a Fiscal Sponsor. A Fiscal Sponsor is a nonprofit organization, with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charity status, that agrees to provide various administrative services and fiscal oversight for an entity or project that is not recognized as a public charity by the IRS, by sharing its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. The Fiscal Sponsor is ultimately responsible for all fiscal oversight for any grant awarded to the sponsored organization/group. Fiscal Sponsors are required to sign the grant agreement along with the sponsored organization/group. Funds will be disbursed directly to the Fiscal Sponsor. If your organization is using a Fiscal Sponsor, you must have a current Fiscal Sponsor agreement in place that has been signed and dated by both parties.
Please note that there is required documentation that is needed from the Fiscal Sponsor in order to complete the grant application.
Guidelines
Only one application per organization is accepted per grant cycle.
If your organization is funded you are only able to re-apply for funding the next calendar year. ( e.g., If you were funded in the Fall 2020 cycle, you can reapply in the Fall 2021 cycle not the Spring 2021 cycle.)
Organizations that apply should have at least one (1) year in operation (and provide 1 year of financial history) .
Organizations receiving funding for three (3) consecutive calendar years must take one (1) year off before re-applying.
A final report for any previously awarded grant is required before a new request is considered.
A complete Letter of Inquiry or proposal must be submitted online by the deadline via our online grant portal.
Faxed or emailed Letters of Inquiry or proposals are not accepted.
Only POISE budget workbooks will be accepted as part of any grant request. No other budget format will be accepted.
Must fully complete the application including required attachments.
Grant Amount & Types
Typical grants range between $1,000 - $5,000, but do not exceed 50 percent of an organization’s annual budget.
Grants for Strengthening Black Families projects are funded at $6,500.
General Operating or Program/Project requests within our funding areas are accepted.
Organizations that have either never received a grant from POISE or have not received a POISE grant within a 3-year period are not eligible to apply for General Operating support.
Churches and faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for Program/Project support for non-religious activities.
We Don’t Typically Fund
Capital campaigns
Endowments, debt reduction, or loans
Grants to individuals
Multi-year grants
Political causes, candidates, or campaigns
Programs outside of the Pittsburgh Region
Religious organizations for religious purposes
Special events, conferences, or promotions
What We Look For
Alignment with the Foundation’s mission and interests
Clearly presented goals, objectives and results
Detailed project plan
Innovation
Demonstrated community need
Well defined target population to be serviced
Solid financial statements
Collaboration and partnerships
Program evaluation plan
Community buy-in and support
For specific questions, contact grants@poisefdn.org
