Funding Guidelines: Annual Funding

 2009 Grant Application Form

Overview
Every year, the Pacific Life Foundation receives more requests than it can fund. For this reason, the Foundation has established guidelines that allow it to use its resources as wisely as possible. Receiving and reviewing grant requests at a predetermined time each year provides the framework for a thorough and thoughtful grant making process.

The Pacific Life Foundation accepts grant proposals from agencies seeking funds for programs and projects in the areas of health and human services; education; arts and culture; and civic, community, and environment.

Annual funding of grants allows the Foundation to respond to a broad spectrum of community needs by partnering with nonprofit agencies that serve a large geographic area, usually consisting of more than one city or community.

The funding cycle for these grants begins with the receipt of grant proposals from July 15 through August 31 (by 5:00 p.m.), followed by a review period, with actual funding of proposals occurring the following January.

Funding Guidelines: Application Information

Geographical Considerations
Contributions are made primarily in areas with large concentrations of Pacific Life employees: generally, the greater Orange County, California, area and other areas, such as Omaha, NE.  Ideally, agencies should serve a large area, usually including more than one city or community.  Some California statewide and national organizations also receive support.

Length of Funding Period
Agencies may reapply annually for funding; however, grants are made to any one agency for no more than three consecutive years. Support may again be requested after a two-year interim period. Exceptions to this policy are made for agencies where a Pacific Life officer serves on the board of directors.

Types and Ranges of Funding
General grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 for a one-year period of funding and are given to support programs, operating expenses, or collaborative programs with other agencies.  Capital grants (ranging from $10,000 to $100,000) are paid out over multiple years.  Capital grants are generally given to an agency with an organized campaign already under way to raise substantial funds; for example, to finance a building or for major renovation.  More than 50 percent of the campaign goal must be pledged prior to consideration by the foundation.  Applications for capital grants are accepted even if the agency is not currently receiving a general grant.   

Applications for funding assistance must be received between July 15 - August 31 (by 5:00 p.m.) to receive consideration for the following calendar year's budget. Announcement of pledges is made in early November, with payment intended to be made before the end of January. Award of a grant does not mean that future support will automatically be available.

Preparing a grant application

	All Proposals For Consideration Must Contain the Following:
» Completed Pacific Life Foundation Grant Application Form; » Brief description of the agency (not to exceed one page); » Description of program/project to be funded, including a needs    statement and objectives (not to exceed two pages); » Agency's most recent audited financial statement (if none, please     provide IRS Form 990); » Agency's current annual budget (revenues and expenditures); » Line-item budget for the program/project to be funded; » List of corporate and foundation agency supporters (and their    contribution amounts) from July 2007 through June 2008; » List of the agency's board of directors, advisory board members, and    administrative staff; » Copy of the agency's federal nonprofit tax-exemption letter from the    IRS, documenting 501(c)(3) status; and » Copy of the agency's informational brochure, if available.

Please do not provide more information than requested above.  Also, note that videos, DVDs, CDs, notebooks, folders, books, and faxed or E-mailed applications are not accepted.

An agency may submit an application for one general grant and one capital grant in the same grant cycle.

Please mail one copy of the grant application form, including all required information, to:

Robert G. Haskell
President
Pacific Life Foundation
700 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, California 92660