For more information please contact the Executive Director, Dave Howell.
dave@cyrchartiablefund.com or call 210-618-6566.
The Fund makes grants to corporate organizations that are exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and in some cases to deserving organizations which are not registered, approved non-profits. The Fund will not make grants to individuals or for-profit organizations. In addition, the Fund has no geographic limitation that requires that grant funds be used in Texas, or the United States.
The Fund supports programs that directly affect persons living in Texas and the United States, however, also funds projects that support organizations internationally.
All organizations are encouraged to submit Letters of Inquiries for programs consistent with the Fund’s mission and focus. However, meaningful non-governmental support representative of broad community support is an important factor in the decision making process of the Fund.
Upon receipt of your letter, we will determine whether or not it meets our guidelines and program goals. If it does not, you will be immediately notified in writing. If your Letter of Inquiry does meet our requirements, it will be reviewed by staff within fourteen (14) days of receipt. If your proposal is accepted to proceed to the next stage of review (if required), we’ll send you an application package as well as a timeline for your submission of the full grant proposal. If your proposal is not accepted to proceed, you will be notified in writing.
The distribution process is handled by request through our affiliate partner, San Antonio Area Foundation a 501(c)(3), and you can expect a check for the approved amount within fourteen (14) days of the letter approving your grant request.
Yes, provided the operating costs are for activities that relate specifically to one or more of the Fund’s mission and focus and are consistent with the requester’s management of funds in relation to other program costs.
From 2009 – 2011, the Fund approved 90% of requests. This is of course, no guarantee that a Letter of Inquiry will be approved. Each LOI stands on the organization’s own merit.
Yes, provided that the educational programs relate to one or more of the Fund’s mission and focus goals.
The Fund is strategic in its approach to grant-making. Study the guidelines carefully to determine whether your project is clearly responsive to the Fund’s mission and focus goals. It is recommended that each applicant apply to the Fund for its highest priority within the program goals of the Fund.
The Fund’s typical grant is in the $2,000 – $15,000 range.
The Fund has limited the number of multi-year grant awards due to the charities and organizations already receiving multi-year funding.
May an organization submit a single request that simultaneously addresses more than one program goal?
The Fund believes that requests addressing more than one program goal, meeting the needs of more than one population, may be more effective than programs addressing only one program goal.
No, the Fund will only consider a single Letter of Inquiry from each organization.
A program or project will be considered if the activity relates specifically to one or more of the Fund’s mission and focus, regardless of the principal activity of the 501(c)(3) entity.
With the exception of special initiatives, the Fund does not have deadlines governing the submission of Letters of Inquiry or grant proposals. Letters of Inquiry and grant proposals will be accepted throughout the year and reviewed on a rolling basis.
Each submission will be reviewed by the staff within fourteen (14) days of receipt.
Upon receipt of your Letter of Inquiry, the staff will determine whether or not it meets the Fund’s goals. If it does not, you will be immediately notified in writing. If your Letter of Inquiry does meet our requirements, it will be reviewed by staff within fourteen (14) days of receipt. If your request is accepted to proceed to the next stage of review, we’ll send you an application package (if required), as well as, a timeline for your submission of the grant proposal. If your request is not accepted to proceed, you will be notified in writing.
No. The key components of a Letter of Inquiry are found on this website and are self-explanatory. The content of each Letter of Inquiry will be different and will depend solely on your project, program and evaluation details.
If your Letter of Inquiry is rejected for any reason, you may submit another Letter of Inquiry after one (1) years’ time.
As part of the review process, the Fund’s executive director or the founders may participate in a site visit. We’ll generally do site visits to meet with the staff, trustees, and constituencies of potential grantee organizations. Among the matters discussed will be the processes in place to collect data and evaluate the effectiveness of the program. This will be a chance for the Fund’s leadership to gain a better understanding of the project or program, see first-hand who will be served, and assess the capacity of the potential grantee to carry out its objectives.
For more information please contact the Executive Director, Dave Howell.
dave@cyrchartiablefund.com or call 210-618-6566.