GRANTMAKING PROGRAMS

The Lubbock Area Foundation is a nonprofit community foundation that manages a pool of charitable endowment funds, the income from which is used to benefit the South Plains community through grants to nonprofit organizations, educational programs and scholarships.

Who Do We Fund?
Grantmaking policy and grant award decisions are made by the Board of Directors. 

The Foundation restricts support from Community Funds (unrestricted funds established by generous donors for the benefit of this community) to organizations in Lubbock and the surrounding South Plains area which are 501(c)(3) or the government equivalent. Grants may be made for start-up funding, general operating support, program support and demonstration programs. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals, for political purposes, to retire indebtedness or for payment of interest or taxes.
All grant recipients must report on the expenditure of grant funds and results of the supported project within one year of the award. Typical grant awards range from $500 - $2,500 with $5,000 as the maximum from Community Funds. Grant applications are reviewed throughout the year. 

Field of Interest Funds make it possible for the Foundation to concentrate funding on areas of interest specified by our donors. Funding for the arts in Lubbock and Hale Counties is available through the  Sybil Harrington Endowment for the Arts.  Animal welfare needs are addressed through the Ruth Wright Endowment for Animals. 

The Process
The Lubbock Area Foundation has traditionally offered multiple opportunities for the consideration of grant proposals.  

2012 Submission Deadlines

Community Funds:  February 1st, May 1st, September 1st and November 1st

Sybil Harrington Endowment for the Arts:  December 1st

Ruth Wright Endowment for Animals:  December 1st

After we receive your complete proposal, copies will be provided to the Foundation's Grants Committee who will review and provide comments. Additional information or a site visit may be requested. The Grants Committee will make its recommendations to the Board of Directors. You will be notified of the Board's decision as soon as possible after the Board meeting at which your application is considered.

Funding Priorities
The funding priorities of the Lubbock Area Foundation are:

Impact: service to a wide segment of the community and assistance to those not adequately served by existing resources

Innovation: responsiveness to changing or emerging community needs and a practical approach for solving community problems

Leverage: the project leverages or generates other funding or resources

Management: there is a clear plan for implementation and the organization has the capability of delivering the service/program in a cost effective manner

Non-Duplication: the project does not duplicate existing programs or services

The Application

1. To apply for funding through Community Funds, the Sybil B. Harrington Endowment for the Arts or the Ruth Wright Endowment for Animals, complete and print the Application Form 

2. Mail or deliver ten (10) copies of the Application Form, Narrative and Attachments to:

 Lubbock Area Foundation

2509 80th Street

Lubbock, TX 79423

Narrative

• Description of the project and the need for it within the community.

• Detailed project budget and specific use of funds requested.  
• List of grants received/pending related to the project and plans for additional funding.
• A plan for evaluation of project success.
• Plans for project continuation. 

Attachments

• Most recent IRS Filing (Form 990)
• A detailed copy of the organization's current annual operating budget and year-to-date financial statements.
• A copy of the most recent audit (if no audit, most recent year-end financial statement).
• A current listing of the Board of Directors.
• A resolution from the Board approving the application.

If you have any questions about the proposal process, please contact Tami Swoboda, Director of Programs and Communications at (806)762-8061 or via email:  tami@lubbockareafoundation.org

Mini-Grants for Teachers
The Foundation has a grant program for K-12 schools (public and private) in the South Plains area. The intent of this program is to provide small grants to elementary and secondary school teachers to enable them to try out creative teaching techniques and buy enriching teaching materials which are not supported by school budgets.