Frequently Asked Questions

-Who does The Lynch Foundation fund?
501c3 organizations dealing with issues involved in education; culture and historic preservation; healthcare and medical research; and religious and educational efforts of the Roman Catholic Church.

-What is the typical size of a grant?
The Foundation generally does not fund more than 5% of an organization’s total budget.

-What type of grants do you fund?
Challenge grants, multi-year grants, capacity-building grants, program and operating grants, endowment grants. The Foundation will work with each individual organization to identify its specific needs and then provide the necessary funding.

The Foundation will not sponsor an event, purchase a table or ad, or provide funding to any individual.

-Does the Foundation provide emergency or immediate funding?
The Foundation does not typically provide emergency or immediate funding. We tend to focus on strengthening an organization and look to achieve a long-term effect.

-Does the Foundation make successive-year or multi-year grants?
Yes, we do provide successive-year or multi-year grants, as our funding program is intended to strengthen nonprofit organizations.

-How should an organization approach The Lynch Foundation?
Submit a concept paper—no more than three pages—to be reviewed for consideration. The concept paper should be an executive summary of your organization, including an organizational overview, details about programing and mission, as well as your goals and objectives. The Lynch Foundation will respond with either an invitation to submit a grant application or decline the concept.

-If our concept paper is rejected how long should we wait to submit another request?
First, acknowledge the reason for being declined. If the reason was your organization does not fit the mission, then please do not send another concept paper.  If the reason is the foundation is currently funding similar organizations, submit a concept paper 12–18 months later.

-If our grant application is rejected, how long do we have to wait to request funding from the foundation?
5 Years.

-If we are awarded a grant, how long do we have to wait to request funding from the foundation?
5 Years

-If our concept paper is approved, how long before we need to have the application completed, and when can we expect a decision regarding our request?
The Board meets three times a year to review grants and make recommendations: January, May and September. Once a complete application has been received, it generally takes three months to conduct thorough research and review. The entire grant-making process, including initial approach, review process and grant-making decision takes about six to nine months.

-How many meetings a year?
Three meetings a year; January, May and September.

-Do the Foundation Staff or Trustees conduct site visits? If yes, should I call to schedule a site visit or meeting?
Yes, the Foundation Staff and Trustees do conduct a site visit. But please do not call. Once the application has been reviewed a staff member will call to schedule a visit.