The Foundation’s annual grant application cycle opens January 1. Applications are scheduled to remain open through March 15 at 11:59 p.m. PT; however, individual grant categories may close earlier if application volume exceeds the Foundation’s operational capacity for that category.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early and not rely on March 15 as a guaranteed submission deadline. If a grant category is scheduled to close early, applicants with an application in Draft status for that category will be notified by email through the Foundation’s grant portal.
An early closure does not change the Foundation’s review and selection timeline. Round 1 scoring takes place March 16–April 15, Round 2 scoring takes place April 16–April 30, and grant award notifications are issued May 15.
No. March 15 is the scheduled closing date, but individual grant categories may close earlier based on application volume. Beginning an application or having an application in Draft status does not reserve a submission opportunity. If a category is scheduled to close early, applicants with applications in Draft status will receive notice through the grant portal and must submit by the communicated closing date and time.
No. Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chapters may apply only for Foundation grant categories designated as Chapter Grants. Independent Grants are available to eligible independent nonprofit organizations, organizations operating under eligible fiscal sponsors, and public agencies, as applicable.
Yes. Eligible applicants may apply for more than one grant category within their applicable grant type. Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chapters may apply only for Chapter Grant categories, and Independent Grant applicants may apply only for Independent Grant categories. Only one application may be submitted per grant category during each grant cycle.
Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chapters are required to provide their Chapter’s 501(c)(4) EIN when completing a Foundation Chapter Grant application. Chapter information may be found through GuideStar Charity Check by searching for the Chapter name. Chapter applicants may also contact their Regional Treasurer for assistance locating this information. GuideStar (Candid) Search: https://www.guidestar.org/
Applicants are encouraged to verify an organization’s federal tax-exempt status before submitting a grant application using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search.
Independent Grant applicants may use the IRS database to verify their organization’s status before applying. Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chapters should use the database to verify the tax-exempt status of their proposed nonprofit partner before submitting a Chapter Grant application.
IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/
No. Both letters are optional for applicants applying for an Independent Grant, and an application may be submitted without either letter.
However, each optional letter is included as a separate scored item during the application review process. A valid letter submitted with the application receives 3 points for the applicable item. If a valid letter is not submitted, the applicant receives 0 points for that item.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to include an Executive Director/CEO or comparable organizational leadership letter, as this letter can generally be obtained within the applicant organization and provides an opportunity to demonstrate leadership’s awareness of and support for the proposed program.
The Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chapter Recommendation Letter is also optional. The Foundation recognizes that not all applicants have an existing relationship with a Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chapter. A Chapter relationship or recommendation letter is not required to apply for an Independent Grant. Applicants who have an existing relationship with a Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Chapter are encouraged to request and include a valid Chapter Recommendation Letter.
Both letters must meet the requirements identified in the application and must be received before the applicable grant category’s submission deadline. If an application has already been submitted, an applicant may contact the Grants Team at grants@jackandjillfoundation.org before the applicable deadline for assistance adding a letter. Optional letters cannot be added after the applicable grant category has closed.
Yes. Foundation grant funds may be used only for eligible expenses directly associated with implementing the proposed grant-funded program. Applicants should carefully review the Foundation’s funding restrictions before developing their proposed budget.
Applicants are required to use the Foundation Budget Template provided within the grant application when completing the template. The budget should clearly identify the expenses associated with implementing the proposed program, the amount requested from the Foundation for each expense, and any other sources of funding that will support those expenses. A completed sample Budget Template is found above.
Foundation grant funds may not be used for:
● Scholarships
● General operating expenses or other expenses not directly associated with implementing the grant-funded program
● Capital costs
● General office equipment or supplies; however, technology specifically required to implement the grant-funded program may be eligible
● Staff salaries or wages; however, fees for independent contractors or consultants supporting the grant-funded program may be eligible
● Endowments
● Political activities
● Religious activities
All proposed expenses are subject to review by the Foundation for eligibility. Applications that include expenses prohibited by the Foundation’s funding guidelines may be disqualified during the pre-screening process.
Applicants must use the Foundation Budget Template provided within the grant application. The completed template must be uploaded with the application and should be completed according to the instructions provided with the template. See above for sample completed budget template and instructions.
Applicants should review the Foundation’s funding restrictions before preparing their budget to ensure that all expenses requested from the Foundation are eligible for grant funding.
Competitive applications clearly demonstrate the need for the proposed program and its alignment with the selected grant category. Strong applications present a well-defined program, qualified staff and/or partners, measurable goals and outcomes, and a detailed budget that clearly shows how the requested funds will support the proposed activities. Applicants should also provide specific data or evidence to support the need and impact of their program. Meeting these characteristics does not guarantee funding, as applications are evaluated competitively and available funding is limited.
Applicants should carefully review their application and all supporting materials for accuracy and completeness before submitting.
Once an application has been submitted, applicants cannot make changes directly through the grant portal. If a correction is needed before the applicable grant category closes, contact the Grants Team at grants@jackandjillfoundation.org for assistance. Changes cannot be made after the submission deadline for that grant category.
After an application is submitted, the Grants Team conducts an initial pre-screening to confirm that the applicant and application meet the Foundation’s eligibility and submission requirements. This includes verifying the applicant’s eligibility for the selected grant category, confirming applicable IRS tax-exempt status, and reviewing the proposed budget for expenses that are not eligible for Foundation funding.
Applications that meet the pre-screening requirements advance to the first of two rounds of scoring. Applicants who advance to Round 1 are notified by direct email from the Foundation’s Grants Team at grants@jackandjillfoundation.org.
Round 1: External Evaluators review and score eligible applications from March 16 through April 15. The highest-scoring applications in each grant category advance to Round 2. Applicants are notified whether or not their application advances to Round 2.
Round 2: Internal Evaluators conduct the final round of scoring from April 16 through April 30. Award decisions are based on the results of the review and scoring process. Applicants not selected for funding may begin receiving notifications in early May, and all grant award notifications are issued on May 15.
Applicants are notified of the status of their application through the Foundation’s grant management platform. Applicants who do not advance following Round 1 scoring are notified after that round concludes.
Following Round 2 scoring, applicants who are not selected for funding may begin receiving notifications in early May. Some applications may remain under consideration while the Foundation finalizes available grant funding. All grant award notifications are issued on May 15, and all remaining applicants are notified of their final application status at that time.
For questions regarding Foundation grants or the application process, please contact the Grants Team at grants@jackandjillfoundation.org.
Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc
1930 17th Street NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-232-5290
Fax: 202-232-1747
We are the Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc.—a legacy-driven nonprofit and the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Our focus is on addressing systemic barriers that impact children and families in historically under-resourced communities. We invest in programs that expand access to quality education, healthcare, and safe, supportive environments, creating a strong foundation for long-term growth. We remain proud of our history as the nation’s oldest African American-led nonprofit and continue to center equity and opportunity in everything we do.
Jack and Jill of America Foundation, Inc. © 2024
