Application Guidelines for Grants

Who May Apply:

The Foundation generally does not consider requests from private foundations, private operating foundations and political organizations.

What Foundation Will Generally Not fund:

• Programs outside of the Counties of Muskegon, Oceana, Newaygo, and Ottawa.
• Routine Operating Expenses
• Motor Vehicles
• Religious programs that serve or appear to serve specific religious denominations
• Existing Obligations or debts/liabilities
• Individuals (except for academic scholarships)
• Grants for endowment
• Grants to tax supported institutions: however, municipalities may apply for a grant for a specific project.
• Grants to organizations which discriminate based on race, creed or gender
• Grants to conduct political activities, propaganda, influence elections or to influence legislation

The Application Process:

Foundation policy discourages unsolicited personal interviews with the Directors of the Foundation collectively or individually, either before or after the filing of an application. If a formal application needs clarification, the Grant Committee and/or Board of Directors will request it either orally or in writing. If an applicant has questions regarding the application process, the applicant is requested to please contact David M. Wells, the Executive Director of the Foundation.

Any discussions or indication of interest by the Foundation after submission of an application or on-site investigation will not be construed as a commitment by the Foundation in any way. Each application will be considered on its own merit and accepted or rejected only in writing.

All applications are given thorough individual study by the Grant Committee and Board of Directors. If held for further consideration, the program or project is usually investigated by an Officer or one or more Directors. A final decision is reached by discussion and a majority vote of the Board.

How To Apply:

1. Name and mailing address of tax exempt organization. Please indicate the individual to whom correspondence should be addressed.
2. Relationship, capacity or title of person signing the application. (Each application must be signed by a principal officer of the organization.
3. A list of the officers and directors or directors and trustees of the organization.
4. A concise and clear description of the project with additional information as appropriate, showing the specific needs and problems, the proposed solution, social or other significance of the project and its expected benefit to the citizens in the Foundation's geographical service area.
5. A complete explanation of the necessity for the stated amount requested. Additionally, the grant project budget and the organization's annual operating budget.
6. A statement of whether aid has been sought during the preceding three years from other Foundations, and, if so, the names of the Foundations, the amount received from each, if any, and the purposes for each award.
7. An applicant must furnish:
   1. A copy of its current U.S. Treasury and State tax-exempt letter which must include the tax exemption designation and private foundation classification.
   2. A copy of the applicant's last annual report and certified financial audit of the last annual financial statement. (If the organization does not have an audited report available, please submit an explanation as to why.)
   3. Copy of the organization's organizing documents, i.e., current Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws or Trust Agreement.
8. When the application has been acted upon by the Grant Committee, it will be passed on to the Board of Directors with recommendation. The Board of Directors will make the final determination of acceptance or rejection of the application. The Board may decide to approve the application for a lessor amount than requested. Action by the Board is final and the application cannot be carried over for future consideration. The applicant may make new applications in the future. A new application should not request reinstatement of a prior request.
9. The applicant should include a brief history of the organization and its principal programs and accomplishments.
10. A detailed budget of the project or program for the full term and for the period for which assistance is requested. This should include the total amount to be raised, a list of expected sources of funds, including the amount requested from the Foundation. A copy of the resolution by the organization authorizing the organization to accept the grant and to perform its responsibilities under the grant.
11. Applications are reviewed annually and must be received by May 1. All applications are processed as promptly as possible.
12. Please address all proposals or inquiries to David M. Wells, Executive Director, Osteopathic Foundation of West Michigan, 110 W. Colby St., Whitehall, Michigan 49461.
13. Please submit 16 copies of the grant application and supporting documents.

Reports to the Foundation and Expenditure of Funds