Funding Guidelines — Effective 3-1-2009


I. Background Information

The Athwin Foundation – A family foundation named for Atherton and Winifred Bean and located in the Greater Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul funds organizations providing services in the areas of Arts and Humanities, Education, Human Services, Environmental Enhancement, Organizational Capacity Building and charities whose missions are complementary to the interests of the Trustees.

The Foundation puts a priority on funding organizations rather than specific programs within organizations. Therefore, resources are directed to funded organizations primarily in the form of general operating support. This policy clearly takes into account the need for strong and effective programs; however, the policy also reflects the belief that strong and effective governing boards and executive directors are best positioned to determine how resources are to be utilized at the organization level.

The Foundation strives to work in partnership with nonprofit organizations:

  1. Foundation Responsibilities
    1. The Foundation will objectively review each request for funding that meets Foundation criteria.
    2. The Foundation will make funding decisions based on stated criteria and avoid conflict of interest in the decision making process.
    3. The Foundation will provide timely information and feedback to all organizations requesting funds from the Foundation.
    4. The Foundation will respect confidentiality with regard to organizations' information.
    5. The Foundation will remain open to feedback that will result in better service.
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  2. Organization Responsibilities
    1. Organizations requesting funds are to review information and guidelines on the www.catchcod.com web site regarding the Athwin Foundation prior to each submission of a Letter of Inquiry.
    2. Organizations requesting funds are to follow all guidelines established and in place for all funding requests.
    3. Organizations will notify the Foundation of significant changes that have or are taking place that will have an impact on funds granted.
    4. Organizations requesting funds will initiate each request with a Letter of Inquiry.
    5. Organizations are encouraged to ask questions when clarity is needed at any point in the process.
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II. Application Process

A. The Foundation takes into account a number of criteria when making funding decisions. Among the primary criteria are the following:

  • Over-all operating strength of the organization, including its board and executive leadership.
  • Need for and demonstrated effectiveness of its programs.
  • Geographic area in which services are delivered – focus on Minnesota.
  • Adherence to application guidelines established by the Foundation (See Section II – B).
  • Quality of application materials.
  • Areas of Service provided (See Paragraph 1).
  • Completion or planned completion of an organizational assessment process, such as the Accountability Wizard offered by the Minnesota Charities Review Council.

B. Each request for funding requires a Letter of Inquiry — no longer than two pages — in which the applicant organization addresses the following points:

  • A statement that the organization is currently a tax-exempt organization (The Foundation does not fund individuals.).
  • Amount of proposed request.
  • Brief description of the focus of the funding request and how this request meets Foundation guidelines.
  • Identification of current organizational leadership.
  • Description of the primary roles played by the governing board.
  • A figure indicating percent of board members in attendance (not necessarily physically present) at board meetings over the past 12-month period of time.
  • Indication whether the organization has completed or plans to complete an organizational self-assessment and the year it was completed or is planned to be completed.
  • Contact name, email and phone number included.

All Letters of Inquiry are to be at the Foundation office no later than:

  • March 1 for the first funding cycle.
  • October 1 for the second funding cycle.

When a due date falls on a weekend or holiday, Letters of Inquiry are due in the Athwin Foundation office by the last business day before the due date.

Letters of Inquiry are to be mailed to:

Athwin Foundation
5200 Willson Road
Suite 307
Minneapolis, MN 55424

C. Follow-Up

  • Organizations asked to complete a full proposal will receive notification with detailed information regarding the content and due date of the proposal.
  • Funding decisions will be made in approximately mid-May for the first cycle and mid-December for the second cycle.
  • All organizations submitting Letters of Inquiry and proposals will receive notification as funding decisions are made.

All questions should be directed to Jim Storm, Consultant to the Foundation, jstormcod1@aol.com or 612-379-3817.

The Athwin Foundation is a member organization of the Minnesota Council of Foundations (MCF) and subscribes to the Principles for Grantmakers adopted by the MCF Board of Directors in 2006.