Ballantine Family Fund

HISTORY

The Ballantine Family Fund was established in 1957 by Morley C. Ballantine and Arthur A. Ballantine, Jr. for the purpose of giving financial assistance to non profit, charitable, educational, literary, scientific or other causes that better the human condition.

Grant size has ranged from $500 to $5,000 with some exceptions.  An amount of about $130,000 is awarded annually.  Trustee meetings are usually held quarterly (February, May, August and November) in Durango, Colorado where the Fund is headquartered.  Proposals must be received by January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 to be considered for meetings taking place in February, May, August and November.

PROPOSAL

An outline for proposals is presented below.  Please note that your group or organization must have tax exempt 501(c)3 status to be considered.  If your non-profit will be using a pass-through, have that organization submit a letter specifying that your non-profit has authorization to use IRS letter, and also the organization should stipulate that it will act as the fiscal agent and take responsibility to ensure that the funds are expended for charitable purposes.

Sections on project description, background information and budget should be no more than two pages.  One copy of the proposal (including one set of any supporting materials you desire) should be sent to the Fund using the following format:

1. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
   1. Briefly describe your organization, its history and its purpose.
   2. Board of Directors:  Please attach a list of current officers and directors and indicate how often the board met during the past fiscal year.
   3. Your organization’s relationships - both formal and informal - with other organizations working to meet the same needs or providing similar services.  Please explain how your organization differs from these other agencies.
   4. Financial reports:  Please supply a current statement of your organization’s financial status.  The trustees would prefer an audited balance sheet and income statement for the last two fiscal years.
2. PROJECT SUMMARY:
   1. Describe the project on the enclosed funding proposal sheet.  Add additional sheets if necessary.  This form must be included with your application.
   2. Project design:  Outline the steps to be taken as parts of the project and the intended result.  If appropriate, also describe the planning process that already has taken place.
   3. Timetable:  Outline the tasks on a timeline.  In addition, propose follow-up procedures appropriate for the evaluation and measurement of your project's progress and use of funds.
3. BUDGET:
   1. Provide a one or two page proposed budget for the project.  Please include a list of other potential donors, foundations and/or grants also being solicited for the same project.
   2. If no other funding is being sought and the Ballantine Family Fund can fund only a portion of the project's cost, can you acquire the balance elsewhere?
4. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:
   1. Letter of Agreement:  In the case of a collaborative effort, please submit letters of agreement from any participating organizations.
   2. IRS Letter:  Please submit a copy of your Internal Revenue Service verification letter stating that your organization is exempt from taxation under Section 509 (A) and 501 (C) (3). If your non-profit will be using a pass-through, have that organization submit a letter specifying that your non-profit has authorization to use IRS letter, and also the organization should stipulate that it will act as the fiscal agent and take responsibility to ensure that the funds are expended for charitable purposes.

REVIEW PROCESS AND CRITERIA

All proposals will be reviewed by the Fund's trustees at quarterly meetings so please ensure that all of the requested information is provided. Proposals must be received by January 1, April 1, July 1 or October 1 to be considered for meetings taking place in February, May, August and November. (See history.)

The following criteria will be considered:

1. Merit of the project relative to the trustees' interests.
2. Feasibility of budget, responsible fiscal management and a reasonable project schedule.
3. Overall impact of the project.
4. Clarity of the proposal and focus of the organization.
5. Organizational commitment and interest.
6. Only groups of organizations with 501(C)(3) status will be considered.  No grants will be made to individuals.

For further information please write or call:
Nancy McDonald, Ballantine Family Fund, P.O. Drawer A, Durango, CO  81302
970-375-4510
970-259-5011 (fax)