Funding Eligibility, Proposal, & Reporting Guidelines

• Only organizations whose policies and actions encourage diversity and inclusion and are nondiscriminatory in the community served, hiring of staff, and recruitment of volunteers are given consideration for funding. The Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation supports organizations that are inclusive of all, irrespective of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, sex (including pregnancy), disability, age, or veteran status. 
• The Foundation only awards grants to organizations that do not discriminate in their hiring, volunteer recruitment, or clients/community they serve.
• Funding is provided only to organizations exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation does not provide grants to individuals.
• Organizations that demonstrate community partnerships are more actively supported.
• Political organizations or parties, candidates for political office, and organizations whose primary purpose is to influence legislation are not supported.
• Event sponsorships are supported on a very limited basis. The Foundation directs the majority of its giving directly to general operating and programs.
• Applications may be made at any time for operating or capital funding requests consistent with the Foundation’s guidelines. 
• If the application is for emergency relief or time-sensitive, please indicate this in the proposal.

Content and Process:

Within the proposal, please provide:

• Amount requested
• How will funds be used?
• How are outcomes measured?
• How does organization or program encourage innovative capacity building?
• How does organization or program work with community partners? How does your organization define partnership? Please list partners who you have an agreement with, the role the partnership plays, and the status of the partnership (Engaged, In Discussion, or Not Yet Contacted, etc)

For first time applicants only, please additionally include: 

• Brief overview and summary of the organization’s history, mission, accomplishments and challenges

Following receipt of this information, a preliminary review will be undertaken to determine consistency with the overall mission and goals of the Foundation. If the application is determined to warrant further consideration, supporting documentation regarding recent audits, budgets, major funders, partnerships, board members, compliance with all State and Federal filing regulations, etc. might be requested. 

Current Partner Reporting Details:

The Burnstein Family Foundation requests that an impact report be provided each year for general operating funds. If funding was towards a capital project, please reach out to the Burnstein Foundation Team for specific reporting requests. 

For general operating funds:

1. Please describe outcomes over the last funding cycle, are there any operational or programmatic adjustments being made based on outcomes? How do those outcomes help the organization or program move its mission forward into the next few years? 

2. Please describe any pertinent changes to the following areas (if relevant):

• Personnel (key staff hires/reductions, organizational culture, staff morale, etc.)
• Financial health and fundraising
• Strategic planning and governance
• Anti-discrimination policy or statement of inclusion

3. Please include in the impact or annual report the renewal funding request for the upcoming grant cycle.

4. Please include the organization's overall operating budget and most recent audit (if the applying organization does not have an audit, please add a note of this in the request)

Questions about the application or reporting process? Please don't hesitate to reach out to us via the chat box below or at contact@burnsteinfoundation.com

Recipients of Burnstein Family Foundation funding may use grant funds only for the purpose stated in the grant application. Funded entities are expected to report their progress prior to seeking further funding.

Please consider the environment before mailing hard copies of proposals. Electronic applications & reports are STRONGLY preferred. 

Thank you!