5.21.2010

“STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY”

In 2009, the ZSR Board of Trustees conducted a review of its Democracy and Civic Engagement focus area, assessing the needs of the state and the impact of the Foundation’s grantmaking over the past 6 years.  As a result, three changes are being made, effective May 21, 2010:

• NEW FOCUS AREA NAME:  The focus area is now entitled “Strengthening Democracy.”  Since the Foundation encourages civic engagement on issues across all five of its focus areas, not just this one, the Board believes this title is more appropriate than the previous “Democracy and Civic Engagement” title.

• NEW FOCUS AREA DESCRIPTION:  The description of what the Foundation wants to achieve in this focus area has been revised (click here for revised focus area description).

• NEW APPLICATION PROCESS FOR STRATEGIC GRANTS:  The process for grant submission has changed for this focus area only.  Starting with the August 2, 2010 grant deadline and continuing for up to three years, ZSR will continue to accept small grant applications (of up to $35,000 per year for up to two years at a time) from any eligible organization.  This is consistent with past practices.  However, the Foundation will only accept solicited applications for grants of more than $35,000 per year.  The Foundation is making this change to become more targeted in its grant investments, wanting to have the greatest impact it can with limited dollars.  A solicitation for an application will NOT be a guarantee of funding.  Solicited applications will compete against all other applications—from all focus areas—received in a given grant cycle.  Also, the Foundation will try to notify organizations from which it wishes to solicit an application no later than June 1 (for the August deadline) and December 1 (for the February deadline) each year.  However, the Foundation reserves the right to invite proposals after those dates in limited circumstances. 

**PLEASE NOTE** that these changes apply ONLY to the Strengthening Democracy focus area.  The small and strategic grant applications remain open to all eligible applicants in the other four focus areas: Community Economic Development, Environment, Pre-Collegiate Education and Social Justice and Equity.

Click here to see the revised focus area description for Strengthening Democracy.

Click here to visit the FAQ page about the Strengthening Democracy focus area changes and application process.