Application Process

THE FOUNDATION IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. PLEASE VISIT THIS PAGE AGAIN JUNE 1, 2012 WHEN OUR NEXT GRANT CYCLE WILL BEGIN.

IF YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO SUBMIT A FULL PROPOSAL, PLEASE LOG-IN AT THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER OF THIS PAGE.

Grant Guidelines

The Virginia W. Kettering Foundation (VWKF) will consider activities in the following categories:

Primary Areas of Support

  • Arts, Culture and Humanities
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Medical/Health
  • Human Services
  • Public/Society Benefit

Organizations that are not units of government or affiliated with a religious organization must have a current 501(c)(3) determination letter from the IRS. Fiscal sponsorships will be accepted, but only under special circumstances.

A Request Summary will not be accepted for any of the following purposes.

  • Religious organizations for religious purposes
  • Individual public elementary or secondary schools or public school districts
  • Multi-year grants
  • Grants or loans to individuals
  • Tickets, advertising or sponsorships of fundraising events
  • Efforts to carry on propaganda or otherwise attempt to influence legislation
  • Activities of 509(a)(3) Type III Supporting Organization

The Application Process

VWKF uses a two-step application review process that operates on a biannual cycle, January – May and July – November. The VWKF Distribution Committee (Committee) first reviews a Request Summary. If interested, the Committee will invite the applicant to submit a Full Proposal. Only one Request Summary per calendar year may be submitted to any one of the Kettering Family Philanthropies (KFP). Previously supported organizations are eligible to submit a Request Summary for the same or different purpose, if the previous grant has been fully expended, and all required reports have been submitted and accepted by VWKF.

  • For first time applicants, the process begins by creating an Account using the field in the upper right hand corner of any KFP web page. This account is your organization’s permanent record with KFP. You will receive an e-mail from KFP confirming your account information. Save this information for future access to your account.
  • For returning applicants, use the account previously established for your organization.
  • You will then have access to the on-line Request Summary form. Submit the completed form by the due date, either January 31 or July 31. You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your submission.
  • You will be advised by e-mail of the outcome of the Committee’s review within approximately three weeks.
  • If the Committee requests a Full Proposal, access your on-line account to complete the process. Full Proposals are due March 15 or September 15. You will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your submission. You will be contacted if additional information is needed. A site visit may be requested.
  • Notice of approval or denial will be communicated to you within 10 days of the Committee’s meeting. If you are awarded a grant, the chief executive officer of your organization will be required to sign a Grant Recipient Agreement that outlines the duties and responsibilities of being a grant recipient. Generally, grants are paid within 30 days of Distribution Committee meetings.

    • Faxed, mailed or hand-delivered Request Summaries and Full Proposals will not be accepted except under unusual circumstances, and solely at the discretion of the KFP staff.

    Do not hesitate to contact us if you need additional information or wish to discuss your proposed program. Use the CONTACT US link at the top of this page to send an e-mail or call the KFP offices at 937-228-1021.

    Please read these Helpful Hints before you begin the application process.

    Helpful Hints

    Creating or Changing Your Account:

    New applicants: Follow the link to CREATE ACCOUNT from the upper right hand corner of any Kettering Family Philanthropies (KFP) web page. Fill out the form with a user name (your organization's EIN), e-mail address and password. If possible, use a generic
    e-mail address (such as info@yourorganization.org) so that future grant administrators can gain access. It is possible to use a personalized e-mail address, but it is not recommended. As this account will be your organization’s permanent record with KFP, keep the user name, e-mail address and password for future access.

    Returning applicants: You do not need to establish a new account. If you do not have the login information to the previously established account or you need to update your e-mail address, use the CONTACT US link on the web site.

    Communications from Kettering Family Philanthropies

    All communications from KFP will be sent to the e-mail address used to establish your account. You can expect e-mails informing you that:

    • Your Account has been established
    • Your Request Summary has been received
    • Your Request Summary has been denied or you have been invited to submit a Full Proposal
    • Your Full Proposal has been received
    • Your Full Proposal has been denied
    • A grant has been awarded

    To ensure that our e-mails reach your inbox, and are not deleted or moved to your Spam or Junk Mail folder, add our e-mail address,info@ketteringfamilyphilanthropies.org, to your safe sender list.

    If you are not receiving our communications, please contact us at info@ketteringfamilyphilanthropies.org or 937-228-1021.

    Requesting a New Password

    Follow the link to FORGOT PASSWORD? from the upper right hand corner of any page on the KFP web site. You will receive an e-mail with a one-time link to create a new password.

    Filling out the On-line Application Form

    Error Messages: If the information you entered is not accepted by the system, you will receive an error message.
    Narrative Fields: It is recommended that you create your narrative in Word and then paste to the application form. The system will cut off your narrative at the 250 word limit.

    Uploading Documents: Your documents must be converted to the Portable Document Format (PDF) before they can be attached to your application. The most recent versions of Microsoft Office software can save any document in PDF using the SAVE AS command. If you are using older versions of MS Office 2010 in Windows or MS Office 2008 on the Macintosh, or other software, here are suggestions for saving in PDF format:

    Windows: You may download an add-on for MS Office 2007 from Microsoft that adds this feature. There are several free or inexpensive programs that create PDF files, such as “doPDF.”

    Macintosh: Select PRINT in any program and then click the PDF BUTTON.

    To attach your document, select BROWSE to find the file on your computer and then select UPLOAD.

    Saving and Submitting your Request Summary:The sequence is: Click on SAVE AS DRAFT. You may continue to edit your information and SAVE AS DRAFT. When you have the information completed, check the “I agree” box and then SUBMIT will appear.
    Click on SUBMIT to send the completed document.

    Invitation to Submit a Full Proposal: If the Committee is interested in your program, you will receive an e-mail inviting you to submit a Full Proposal. Log in to your account at www.ketteringfamilyphilanthropies.org. Under the heading Full Proposals - Requested you will be able to access the information you need to complete the Full Proposal, which is a supplement to the information you provided in the Request Summary.

    Changing information on your Request Summary: If changes need to be made to the information submitted in the Request Summary, please contact KFP.

    Deadlines: We suggest that you do not wait until the last minute to start working on your application, as deadlines are strictly enforced.