Glossary

Challenge Grant (see Matching Grant)

Curriculum Development Grant: Grants to educational institutions to develop a discipline-specific or general curricula (educational program).

Emergency Funds: One-time grants to cover the costs of short-term, emergency needs.

Endowments: donations meant to provide investment income for the continued support of an organization.

Fellowship: Funds provided to individuals or institutions to cover research expenses of scholars or students.

General Support: Funds to cover the general work of an organization, including staff salaries, administration and other operating expenses for an existing program or project.

In-kind: Money, equipment, time or other cost that provided by project organizers or host institution. This is similar to “matching funds”.

Letter of Intent: An introductory letter required by most private foundations. This letter should provide an overview of the project for the foundation. It allows the foundation to decide if the project meets their goals and values before they receive a much-longer proposal.

Management Grant: Grants for salaries, staff support/training, planning, budgeting, and accounting of a project or organization.

Matching Grant: A grant paid only if the requesting organization or program is able to raise additional funds from other sources or provide funds of their own.

Narrative: A descriptive section in a letter of intent that provides insight into a program or idea.

Philanthropy: The act of giving money to fund programs and projects that benefit others.

Publication Grant: Funding for reports or other publications created by a non-profit organization. The publication often results from research or project activities already funded by the funding organization.

Research Grant: Funds awarded to cover the investigative costs of a research group. Individuals wishing to do research would apply for a Fellowship.

Seed Money (Start-up funds): Grants to start a new project or organization. Seed grants may cover salaries and other operating expenses of a new project. This money cannot be used for a for-profit project.

Solicited Proposal: A proposal that is written in response to a Request for Proposals (RFP) or other program announcement.

Unsolicited Proposal: A proposal that is written about a project that is not based on a Request for Proposals (RFP) or any other program announcement. Some funding organizations do not accept unsolicited proposals.