If you are an applicant or are considering submitting an application, below is a list of frequently asked questions and answers related to the John Rex Endowment grant application and review process. To submit a question, please contact Gladys Hairston, Director of Learning, Research, and Evaluation. Gladys can be reached at gladys@rexendowment.org or 919-838-1110 extension 6.

What We Will Fund

Will the John Rex Endowment consider project ideas that are different than the strategies specified in the Request for Proposals (RFP)? (Posted: January 2019)

Generally, the John Rex Endowment will not consider project ideas that are different than the strategies specified in the RFP.  

We are conducting a project that is broader than but inclusive of the focus of the Request for Proposals (RFP).  Will the John Rex Endowment consider funding the full cost of the project? (Posted: January 2019)

The John Rex Endowment will consider the rationale for the project and how well it fits with our Strategic Roadmap in making a determination.  It is possible that we would consider funding the full cost of the project or only partial support. 

Are we eligible to apply if we already have a grant with the John Rex Endowment? (Posted: January 2019)

Grantees who received awards in 2018, the last year under Our Plan for Impact 2013-2018, will be eligible to apply for a new grant under the Strategic Roadmap once their existing grant has been completed and their project report submitted. 

We’d like to apply for funding that is an expansion of a prior or current John Rex Endowment grant; however, the work is not a fit with any of the John Rex Endowment's funding areas.  Can we still submit a letter of intent? (Posted: January 2019)

Yes, we will accept a letter of intent that builds on a prior or current John Rex Endowment funded grant. Please contact Gladys Hairston, Program Officer, for details and directions on how to submit the letter of intent. Gladys can be reached at gladys@rexendowment.org or 919-838-1110 x6.

When does the John Rex Endowment decide its funding priorities each year? (Posted: January 2019)

The John Rex Endowment regularly takes a look at what efforts we’ve funded, how the work we’re supporting moves us closer to our goals, what areas would benefit from additional investment, and the amount of money available for grantmaking.  Our current funding opportunities section provides detail on our funding priorities.

How To Apply

Can I access the Request for Proposals (RFP) on your website, or do I have to register in the online grant management system to see it? (Posted: January 2019)

Descriptions of most current funding opportunities, including related RFPs, are on our website under Current Funding Opportunities.  You can review these RFPs without registering in the online system.  

If I’m applying for a grant that would have a fiscal sponsor, which organization should set up the account in the online grant management system? (Posted: January 2019)

The organization responsible for carrying out the work as outlined in the application, rather than the organization serving as fiscal sponsor, should set up the account in the online system.  During registration, you will be asked to list the Organization Name.  When using a fiscal sponsor, you should enter:  Fiscal Sponsor Organization’s Name/Your Organization’s Name.  For the Tax ID, you should enter the Fiscal Sponsor’s Tax ID.

How do I apply for a John Rex Endowment grant? (Posted: January 2019)

To apply for a grant opportunity under our Strategic Roadmap, all organizations must use our online grant management system.  We recommend that, if not already registered, you complete the registration process early and familiarize yourself with the system.  A system tutorial is available in the section "Resources for Applicants and Grantees."  To begin, Log In now.

How do I submit a letter of intent (LOI) to the John Rex Endowment? (Posted: January 2019)

The LOI is the initial stage of the application process in our online grant management system.  When you log in to the online system and select the grant for which you wish to apply, you will automatically be directed to the LOI form.

The letter of intent (LOI) is not due for another five weeks.  Will I be okay if I wait until the week before to start working on it? (Posted: January 2019)

We recommend that if you are considering submitting a letter of intent (LOI), you access our online grant management system as soon as possible to review the letter of intent form.  This will allow you to determine what information you will need to provide, decide who you might need to involve in working with you to prepare the LOI and outline your timeline for completing the LOI. This will also give you plenty of time to work on your LOI so that, should you have questions or experience an unanticipated challenge, you will still be able to submit prior to the published deadline.

May we meet with John Rex Endowment staff before we submit a letter of intent (LOI)? (Posted: January 2019)

Interested parties are welcome to email our Program Officer, Gladys Hairston, with specific questions and she will respond within a timely manner.  However, program staff do not usually meet with individuals to discuss a project idea at the LOI stage of the application process.

We would like to apply for Nonprofit Effectiveness support (May 2019 Request for Proposals), but have not yet selected our consultant.  Are we still able to submit our letter of intent (LOI) or application prior to the consultant selection? (Posted: January 2019)

When applying for Nonprofit Effectiveness support, it is not necessary to have identified your consultant prior to submitting the LOI. All applicants who are subsequently invited to submit a full application do need to identify their consultant by the time they submit their application. We have found that organizations that have not identified their consultant often don’t have a clear picture of the work to be done or how to budget appropriately for the activities to be conducted. In rare cases, we will accept an application for a Capacity Building grant if the consultant has not been identified. Please contact Gladys Hairston (gladys@rexendowment.org to discuss your specific situation before submitting your Nonprofit Effectiveness grant application.

Review Of Applications

What is the John Rex Endowment policy regarding indirect, or overhead, expenses? (Posted: January 2019)

The John Rex Endowment policy for indirect, or overhead, expenses for grants and contracts is up to 10% for government agencies and colleges/universities. 501(c)(3) nonprofits that are designated as public charities with an operating budget of $10 million or more also are allowed up to 10%. 501(c)(3) nonprofits with an operating budget of less than $10 million are allowed up to 15%.

Are there any restrictions on the amount or length of a grant? (Posted: January 2019)

The John Rex Endowment generally does not set a minimum or maximum award amount or duration for grants.  However, we do have limits on how much we can award each calendar year.  Specific funding area limits are shared in published requests for proposals (RFPs).  As part of the review process, the proposed budget and timeline is assessed as it relates to the proposed activities and desired outcomes of each project.  For Nonprofit Effectiveness, in addition to a maximum for amount requested, all grants will have a 24-month grant term. 

I missed the published due date for a letter of intent (LOI) by one day.  Will you still accept my LOI for the current grant cycle?  (Posted: January 2019)

Our  LOI and application deadlines are clearly specified in every request for proposals.  If an LOI and application are not submitted by the specified deadline, they will not be reviewed in the current grant cycle.

We understand that at times there may be extenuating circumstances that are unpredictable and unavoidable.  In such cases, an applicant should immediately contact Gladys Hairston (gladys@rexendowment.org) to provide information about the situation and request a one-time allowance.  Please note that we rarely make exceptions as we want to be fair and equitable to all applicants.  Thus, we strongly recommend that applicants do not wait until the last moment to submit their application so that they have time to handle unanticipated challenges (e.g., a computer malfunction or difficulty obtaining a required signature).

I submitted my application ahead of schedule.  Will I receive my award decision sooner? (Posted: January 2019)

Grant applications will only be reviewed according to the schedule detailed in each request for proposals. Award decisions for the January 2019 Grant Award Cycle will be made no later than June 15; decisions for the May 2019 Nonprofit Capacity Building Effectiveness Grant Award Cycle will be made no later than October 2015, and the award decisions for the Fall 2019 Grant Award Cycle will be announced in February 2020. 

 

Who reviews grant applications and makes the award decision? (Posted: January 2019)

Grant applications are reviewed by the Health Improvement Committee, a sub-committee of the John Rex Endowment Board of Directors.  The board reviews grant applications recommended by the committee and makes a final award decision.  Grant applications that are not recommended by the committee are not reviewed by the full board.  

Does the John Rex Endowment provide a reason if a grant is not recommended or awarded? (Posted: January 2019)

Grant applicants are notified that the application is not being recommended or awarded within one to two business days of the committee or board review.  The notification does include the reason/s why the application is not being recommended or awarded.

If Grant Is Awarded

How does the grant payment process work? (Posted: January 2019)

The John Rex Endowment establishes the schedule of grant payments based on the amount of the award and the length of the grant.  Grant payments are made in advance and reports on John Rex Endowment grant funds spent are required.

 

Will we be required to meet with John Rex Endowment staff? (Posted: January 2019)

Once a grant award is made, recipients are required to meet with John Rex Endowment program staff.  The meeting schedule depends on the type and length of the grant, and details are provided in each published request for proposals (RFP). Grantees may request additional meetings as needed, and the Endowment may require other meetings than those outlined in an RFP.

How long will we have to develop an evaluation plan? (Posted: January 2019)

If an evaluation plan is required, the completed evaluation plan is expected to be submitted within the first two months of the grant.  Grantees will be notified of evaluation plan requirements soon after award notification.  The John Rex Endowment provides evaluation technical assistance to some grantees; information about this is provided to qualifying applicants at the time they are invited to submit a full application.  Implementation grant recipients are not allowed to begin intervention or program activities until the evaluation plan has been submitted to and approved by Endowment staff.

When can my grant start? (Posted: January 2019)

Our Requests for Proposals under the Grant Award Cycle page include a schedule for all funding start dates. Generally, grants may begin on, or any time after, published start dates.