2015

Request for Proposals

for the

Bruce J. AndersonFoundation

a supporting organization
of the
Boston Foundation
The Bruce J. Anderson Foundation
Grant Guidelines
and
Request for Proposals

The Bruce J. Anderson Foundation is a family foundation organized as a supporting organization of the Boston Foundation. The Bruce J. Anderson Foundation was established in 1980 to memorialize Bruce by his six siblings. Governed by a five-member Board of Directors, and in consultation with Anderson family members, grants are made in support of preventative programs, direct services, and new initiatives in the fields of:

Mental health, focusing on young adults, treatment, research and suicide prevention;

Historic and archival preservation;

Environmental protection; and

The arts.

The Bruce J. Anderson Foundation focuses its grantmaking in two geographical areas of Massachusetts:

Cape Ann (specifically, the communities of Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester), and

the communities of Harvard, Ayer, Groton, Pepperell, Shirley and Townsend.

Requests are sought in the $5,000 to $12,000 range. Please note that the Board of Directors favors:

  • Programs that will serve a wide segment of the community and assist those who are not served adequately by existing resources,
  • Demonstration projects that provide practical approaches for dealing with specific problems, and
  • Programs where the Foundation’s contribution is likely to leverage additional support.

The Board does not customarily make grants for:

  • scholarships or loans,
  • conferences or films, and/or
  • religious programs.

Nor does the Foundation make grants to individuals.

Proposal review is conducted by The Philanthropic Initiative and Boston Foundation staff who make recommendations to the Board of Directors of the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation. The review process may include a site visit or phone conversation. Generally, the Board of Directors meets in mid May to review the recommendations and make final decisions. Notification of action on your request occurs after the Board’s meeting.

COVER SUMMARY

Date:

How did you learn about this funding opportunity:

CONTACT INFORMATION

Organization:
Address:
Executive Director:
Contact for this Proposal: / Title:
Phone: / Email: / Fax:

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

Is the Organization an IRS 501 (c)(3) public charity? / Yes / No
If no, please identify your fiscal agent:
If not already included in the Giving Common, please attach your fiscal sponsorship agreement.
PROJECT INFORMATION
Amount Requested:
Project Name:
Proposal Summary (in 4 sentences or less):
The period this grant will cover (date range): -
PREVIOUS SUPPORT FROM BRUCE J. ANDERSON FOUNDATION
Date: / Project: / Amount:
Date: / Project: / Amount:
Date: / Project: / Amount:
Date: / Project: / Amount:
Date: / Project: / Amount:

Application Procedures (please includeonecomplete copy)

1.All applicants must complete a Giving Common Profile as part of their application to the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation. The Giving Common is a database of nonprofit profiles that funders, donors and the general public can search by issue area, geography and other variables with the option to “donate now.” You complete information about your organizational impact, best business practices, governance and financials on this public site where many donors and other foundations can access it. To get started, visit or email . If you have questions, you can call Leigh at 617-338-1623 or email .

2.A cover letter, signed by the Executive Director or Board President of the organization, which includes a brief summary of the project and the amount of money requested.

3.A proposal narrative of no more than 2 pages which includes:

A clear, concise description of the project, with goals and objectives stated.

A funding plan for the project, including a list of other sources of support and an explanation of how the project will be financed in the future.

A short discussion about how the project’s work will be evaluated (what will success look like?).

4.The following attachments also are required:

A detailed budget for the project, including other possible sources of funding, both public and private, and the status of outstanding requests for funds.

For organizations that received support in 2014, a brief status report on your organization’s last grant from the Bruce J. Anderson Foundation, if not already submitted. The report should be no more than 2 pages in length and should include a narrative of accomplishments and challenges as well as a financial report on the use of grant funding, including a list of other funds raised.

Don’t Forget! Your Giving Common profile, which you complete with The Boston Foundation staffhelps tell the story of your organization, background, history, financial status, (c)3 status, and much more! In addition, a Giving Common profile needs to be updated only on an annual basis. All of the data from the Giving Common is publicand updates your organization’s GuideStar record a few times a year.

We hope you will carefully review the requirements of this Request for Proposals (RFP) and submit a proposal only if your project matches these funding guidelines. Your proposal must be received by Friday, February 6, 2015 at the address below. No fax or electronic proposals will be accepted.

Alexandra Auguste, Bruce J. Anderson Foundation, c/o The Boston Foundation

75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02116

Questions or requests for additional information should be directed to Alexandra Auguste at or 617-338-1700.

If you need help with the Giving Common, you can email Leigh Handschuh at .