General

• Grants are required to fit clearly into one of the six focus areas of the Illuminated Foundation
• Only non-profit organizations may receive grant awards
• Grant applications are by invitation only from an Illuminated Foundation board member
• Grantees must have sufficient funding on hand/committed to operate for a minimum of 24 months
• The Illuminated Foundation does not generally fund multi-year commitments

Grant Applications must include:

1. Mission Statement
2. Program Overviews
3. List of Board Members
4. List of major and previous grantors/contributors
5. Narrative on how the award will further the grantee’s mission and fit into one of the Illuminated Foundation’s focus areas
6. Proof of 501(c)3 Status
7. Current fiscal year end and interim financial information

Foundation Focus Areas

Arts & Culture – Discovering and creating understanding of human behavior, thinking, potential, and learning especially through the close observation and creating of works of art and various forms of involvement in arts and cultural experiences.

Grant candidates may include museums, theaters, arts centers, presenting organizations, or programs and workshops.

Education – The facilitation of learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills and experiences.

Grant candidates may include schools, programs, workshops, or training.

Health and Welfare – The maintenance or improvement of public health through prevention, treatment, and access to basic human needs whether caused by illness, injury, or other physical, mental, or societal impairments.

Grant candidates may include women’s health, child welfare, homelessness, or healthcare providers.

Social Justice – Working towards a society where all members, regardless of background or situation, have basic human rights and equal access to the benefits of their society.

Grant candidates may include prison reform, immigration, representation, or equal access.

Environment – Acting on concerns for environmental protections and improvements of the health of the environment and wildlife preservation.

Grant candidates may include land preservation, clean-up efforts, conservation, or restoration.

Community Development – Assisting where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.

Candidates may include affordable housing or historic preservation.

Areas/Categories are specifically excluded:

• Religion
• Individuals
• Scholarships
• Private Foundations or pass through organizations
• Sponsorships or special events
• Organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, gender identity, orientation, disabilities, ethnicity, religious or political affiliations

Other Information

• Applications must be submitted no later than September for the next calendar year
• Grants are generally awarded in the 4th quarter by a majority vote of the board
• Grants will be sent to recipients generally between November to February