Applying for a Grant
We ask each organization to carefully review the Foundation’s Mission and Guiding Principles, and our grants program descriptions prior to applying for a grant. As you might expect, the Foundation receives more applications than we are able to fund in any one year, meaning that a number of proposals which fall within the description of the Foundation’s grants program may not be selected for funding.
If you are unsure if your project fits within our guidelines, or if you have not spoken with a Program Staff member, please email a brief description of the project to info@benedum.org. A staff member will contact you within 10 business days of your inquiry.
Funding Focus by Region
West Virginia
Southwestern Pennsylvania
Restrictions
Prohibited under IRS Regulations:
- Organizations not exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3)
- Individuals
- Lobbying activities
- Organizations for religious purposes
The Foundation generally does not make grants in support of:
- Organizations serving locations outside of West Virginia or Southwestern Pennsylvania
- National organizations (unless they have a significant West Virginia or Southwestern Pennsylvania presence with local partners)
- Endowments, angel investing, existing debt
- Individual elementary and secondary schools
- Extracurricular activities
- Vehicles, construction, pre-development costs
- Equipment or furnishings
- Long-term operating expenses, administrative overhead, indirect cost rates, or to replace the loss of government funds
- Biomedical and bench research
- Capital campaigns, annual appeals
- Conferences, event sponsorships, and annual fundraising, unless an integral part of a Foundation-supported program
Upon review of the information listed above, submit your application using the Foundation’s online grant application process.
The Foundation does not have submission deadlines and applications are accepted throughout the year.