Application Process

Tips for Grantseekers

To help prepare for each step of the Application Process the Foundation has prepared the following tips for grantseekers:

Preparing the LOI:

• Organizations must be eligible before submitting an LOI. If you are unsure if you are eligible to submit, call the Foundation.
• The LOI should be clear and concise, with emphasis on the capacity building project to be funded.
• If you are unsure if the project is true capacity building, call ONF staff to discuss the project before submitting an LOI.
• Be sure to carefully follow the formatting directions and keep it to the prescribed length.

Setting the Stage for a Site Visit:

• The site visit is a very important step in the application process. It is the opportunity for the Foundation to meet the organization and gain an in-depth understanding of the request.
• Site visits are conducted by a member of the Foundation staff and an O'Neill family member.
• Site visits are usually in person and held at the organization's site. However, a teleconference site visit may be conducted for grantees located a great distance from Cleveland, Ohio.
• The site visit agenda is very important and up to the organization to prepare. Please give thought to the agenda and design it so it best describes your organization overall and your project in specific detail.
• At the site visit, be sure that the people most knowledgeable about the proposed request are present.
• Be prepared to back up your requested amount with hard figures (receive price quotes from several consultants, or, if purchasing software, indicate how you chose that software and have price quotes available).
• If feasible, have present at the site visit a board member who is familiar with the project to be funded and able to provide the board's perspective on the work.
• Be ready to explain all the details of the project to show it has been well thought-out, and be prepared to prioritize line items if a project contains several items to be funded.
• If applicable, be ready to discuss how the project will be sustained once the O'Neill Foundation grant expires.
• If other funders will also be a part of the project, be prepared to discuss the status of those requests.

After the Invitation: Preparing the Proposal:

• Be sure to follow all formatting and length requirements.
• In the first paragraph of the first page of the narrative, mention the name of the organization, the title of the project and the amount requested in the proposal.
• Describe the mission, vision, work and importance of the organization to those they serve ONLY ONCE in the narrative. Use the narrative to provide an in-depth description of the proposed project.
• Proofread the document carefully. If using a document that has been written for others as a template for the O'Neill Foundation proposal, be sure the previous names, dates, numbers, etc. are deleted and/or substituted with the correct information.
• When preparing the budget form, double check all numbers and be sure the data provided is correct.
• In the budget be sure to name all other funders by name.
• In the budget narrative explain the status of requests to other funders.
• In the budget narrative be sure to address EACH line item with a brief paragraph of explanation.
• After transferring all documents to the disc, test the disc thoroughly to be all sure documents open correctly.
• Before completing the logic model, study the examples provided for help.
• Complete the logic model in the future tense to indicate what will be done in the project.
• Keep the logic model short. Use bullets or phrases when filling in the columns.
• If you have questions or concerns about completing the logic model, please call the Foundation staff for help.