Applying for a Grant

The Seabury Foundation has recently completed a Strategic Plan process. Part of this process included implementing an electronic LOI/Grant Proposal Process and creating a grant making initiative in Benzie County, Michigan. We are happy to report we have implemented both initiatives, so please see below for details, including our new deadlines.

Eligibility:

  • You must be a 501 (c)(3) public charity or unit of government
  • You must be in compliance with your Secretary of State
  • You must have completed one full fiscal year of operations before applying
  • You must have a demonstrated track record of advancing programs or projects in the areas noted below that benefit the residents of the area you serve

The following are not eligible:

  • Individuals
  • Religious activities, political campaigns, or legislative lobbying
  • Galas and fundraising events
  • Endowments or debt reduction

Unsolicited LOI’s:

  • The Seabury Foundation meets 3 times a year: March, July, and October.
  • If your organization serves individuals in the city of Chicago, and meets the grantmaking guidelines found under our Goals & Objectives page, you are eligible to submit an unsolicited LOI for each of these meetings (see the chart below for submission deadlines).

Family Sponsored LOI’s:

  • If you have been invited by a family member to submit an LOI, you are eligible to submit for one of the meetings in March, July, or October (see chart below for submission deadlines).

Benzie County Unsolicited LOI’s:

The founders of The Seabury Foundation had a deep love for the environs around Benzie County, Michigan, and this continues for subsequent family members. Over the years, the Foundation has awarded many grants in the Benzie area, ranging from Paul Oliver Hospital to senior services, library construction and remodeling, environmental conservation, schools, human services, the arts, and more.   Many of these grants the Foundation has awarded have inured to the benefit of the wider community.  Because the Seabury Foundation and wider Seabury family have an ongoing appreciation for the area and some of its needs, for the foreseeable future the Board of Directors has decided to focus a portion of its annual grant resources in Benzie County. See below for guidelines and qualifications for submission:

  • If your organization is located in Benzie County, Michigan and focuses funding projects or programs found under our Goals & Objectives page, but also, in general, funds projects or programs that are good for the greater welfare of the community and that nurture and support the good of the community, you are eligible to submit an unsolicited LOI for the July meeting ONLY (see chart below for submission deadlines).

The following are not eligible:

  • Individuals
  • Religious activities, political campaigns, or legislative lobbying
  • Galas and fundraising events
  • Endowments or debt reduction

IMPORTANT SUBMISSION INFORMATION:

  • EVEN IF YOU ARE A PAST GRANTEE YOU MUST STILL SUBMIT AN LOI FOR A NEW OR RENEWED GRANT.
  • IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED, ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY EMAIL BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS (4:30 pm CST) ON THE DUE DATES BELOW, NO EXPECTIONS.
  • IF THE DUE DATE FALLS ON A WEEKEND OR HOLIDAY, THE LOI WILL BE DUE BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING FRIDAY, AND NOT ON THE DATE AFTER THE HOLIDAY OR WEEKEND.
  • IF YOUR ORGANIZATION IS NOT INVITED TO SUBMIT A FULL PROPOSAL FOLLOWING YOUR LOI, OR IF YOUR FUNDING REQUEST IS TURNED DOWN, ONE FULL YEAR MUST ELAPSE FROM YOUR LOI SUBMISSION DEADLINE BEFORE WE WILL CONSIDER ANOTHER LOI.
  • IF YOU ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT A PROPOSAL AND RECEIVE AN AWARD, YOU MUST WAIT A FULL YEAR BEFORE APPLYING AGAIN THROUGH THE LOI PROCESS.

LOI Submission Instructions:

  • Please review our Goals & Objectives page to make sure you are eligible to submit an LOI.
  • Download the LOI here: Seabury Foundation LOI.
  • After completing the LOI, please email to Allison Armstrong, Program Officer, at allie.arm@seaburyfoundation.org, along with your organization’s up-to-date IRS 501 (c) 3 letter.
  • If you have any questions about your eligibility or have general questions about the grantmaking process, please reach out to Allison Armstrong, Program Officer, at allie.arm@seaburyfoundation.org, or (312) 587-7146.

Full Proposal Instructions:

  • If you are invited to submit a full proposal, instructions will be provided via email.
LOI DUE DATE PROPOSAL DEADLINE DATE MEETING DATE
October 15 December 1 March
March 15 May 1 July
June 15 August 1 October