Guidelines

Please note that we only accept invited grant proposals and we are currently only minimally able to fund new organizations. Invitations to make proposals occur during each of our two annual grants cycles, subsequent to our review of a Letter of Inquiry.

Funding Priorities: The majority of our historical funding has been to groups advancing the social and environmental sustainability of B.C.

General Support: Endswell typically makes grants for general support of the core operations of existing organizations. Special projects will be reviewed as the catalyst for general support.

Multi-Year Funding: Endswell does not consider unsolicited multi-year grant proposals. We do often provide multi-year support – at our initiative – after funding a project or program and observing its success.

Registered Charities Only: The Endswell Foundation can only make grants to organizations registered as charities with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

British Columbia: All grants made by the Endswell Foundation are to charitable organizations in British Columbia.

Aboriginal Rights and Title: Endswell supports Aboriginal Rights and Title.

Process

Letter of Inquiry

Endswell accepts grant applications by invitation only. If you would like us to assess your likelihood for funding, please submit a brief Letter of Inquiry (approximately two pages) including the following:

  • Your organization's mission.
  • Needs and issues addressed by your programs.
  • Geographic area and beneficiaries.
  • Description of your strategy.
  • Description of key constituency served, staff, board and funders.

Letters of Inquiry may be sent at any time and will be reviewed and responded to within 60 days of receipt.
The deadlines for submitting Letters of Inquiry for an upcoming funding cycle are as follows:

  • March 31 for our April 30 Docket (July grants)
  • August 31 for our September 30 Docket (January grants)

Formal Proposals

If you are invited to submit a full proposal, the following guidelines will be helpful:

  • We prefer to minimize new work for you, while gaining an adequate understanding of your project.
  • If you have prepared a formal proposal for another funding source within the last six months, we welcome you to use it for us as well, with a cover letter updating substantial changes.
  • We like to be on your mailing list for relevant updates in your printed material and strategies for our general ongoing education.
  • We usually fund general support, leaving you to determine allocation of the resource.
  • We like to know how you see your work intersecting with other organizations: allies, opponents or influential institutions.

Other information we would like to know includes, where applicable:

  • Copy of your confirmation letter from CCRA, Charities Division (REQUIRED for first time applicants).
  • Board members and key staff.
  • Current funders, prospective funders and overall finance strategy.
  • Last-year and next-year budgets and cash flow statements.
  • Historical highlights.
  • Size of membership and strategy for future membership growth.
  • Specific strategies for the year, some sketch of your next 3-5 years.
  • Discussion of possible obstacles to success.
  • Specific dollar amount requested from us is not necessary, as our budget is limited and we will allocate the best we can, if we choose to fund.
  • Basic overview of the governance structure and membership make-up of your organization.

Grant Making Cycle

Endswell has a semi-annual grant making cycle. You will receive a response to your proposal within 90 days of the respective deadline. Funding will be made available after completion of the necessary paperwork. We only invite one proposal annually from any organization.

The deadlines for submitting your invited grant proposal for an upcoming cycle are:

  • April 30 for July grants.
  • September 30 for January grants.

Reporting Guidelines

The purpose of the Endswell Foundation report is to convey the results achieved by your organization in the period after the grant. We request reports for grants that are $10,000 or greater.

We prefer you send us a copy of one of your reports done for another foundation within the last 90 days, rather than have you write one specifically for us. We welcome reports on smaller grants, if it is easy for you. Copies of already existing reports of any type are fine.

We welcome any feedback for Endswell on our process or staff.