Application Timeline
| GRANT CYCLE | DATES | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Operating Grants | Accepting grants from September 2 through noon CST on September 30, 2024 | This is the only opportunity to apply for an operating grant for 2025. If you have already been approved for an operating grant for 2025, you are not eligible to apply. |
| Program Grants | Accepting grants from February 1 through noon CST on February 28, 2025 | This is the only opportunity to apply for a program grant in 2025. |
| Capital Grants | Accepting grants from February 1 through noon CST on February 28, 2025 | This is the only opportunity to apply for a capital grant in 2025. |
NOTE
There will be an Apply Now button on the homepage and on the Apply page when applications are open.
Building a Relationship
1ST TIME APPLICANTS
If you have never applied for a grant from us before, your first step is to reach out to one of the Grant-Making Team members for a call, coffee or a Zoom.
Our first step is to listen to you. We can learn about the work your organization does – its history, successes, challenges, and plans. We can let you know which, if any, grants are a
match for your organization, what the grant timelines are, and what next steps are for you.
We can also let you know if you are not a good match, saving your valuable time on an application that is unlikely to be funded.
returning grantees
If you have applied for or received a grant from us before and you have established a relationship with one of our Grant Team members, we ask that you maintain the relationship
with some simple outreach. Send us an annual report or an organizational newsletter from time to time.
You may propose, or we may ask for, a site visit. Send an e-mail with a link to any current news media or a great photo that highlights your work. Let us know of any changes in
executive leadership or if there are any changes to the overall financial health of your organization that may impact your ability to implement funded programs.
If you are planning to apply in a new grant category (Program, Operating, or Capital), we suggest you reach out to your Grant-Making Team member first to make sure it is a good fit.
Application How-To
| Beginning an online application | You will need the EIN/TAX ID of your organization. If you don’t know your Tax ID, use the the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool to find it. Once you enter the EIN/Tax ID and click Submit, the screen will automatically populate with your organization’s information. Please be sure the information is accurate (or enter the information manually) before continuing with the registration process. Create new account » Sign in to existing account » |
| Registration details | We recommend using a generic e-mail address such as info@yourorganization.org. Share this address with everyone in your organization who will need access to your applications and reports. |
| Approval | Once you click Register, The Sherwood Foundation will need to approve your registration. You will be notified via e-mail when you have access to begin your grant application. |
| Application templates | These documents can be used both as a guide to ensure you are ready to complete a grant application and a tool for cut & paste purposes to make a final submission easier. (Templates are in .docx format. Open and save to your computer.) Program Grant template » Operating Grant template » Capital Grant template » |
| Logging in | Once you are logged in, you will see your organization’s dashboard. The Submissions shows which applications you have in progress and allows you to view submitted applications. Opportunities shows which grant applications, if any, are available to you now. |
| Submitting an application | When your grant proposal is submitted, an e-mail receipt acknowledgement is automatically generated. If you do not receive an e-mail, check your spam folder. If you still don’t receive the e-mail, contact Kathy Johnson, Grants Manager at The Sherwood Foundation at info@sherwoodfoundation.org. |
| Decision timeline | We will contact you within 90 business days of the application deadline with a funding decision. Any inquiries made prior to 90 days will not be addressed. Thank you for your patience. |
Application handy tips
Save your work at least every 60 minutes or it will be lost.
Use a computer rather than a phone or tablet.
Type your responses into a Word document so you can copy and paste them into the application. (We have some templates for you to use.)
If possible, apply prior to deadline day to avoid technical issues due to portal congestion.
Have your grant documents ready for uploading. It will work better if you save your documents as PDF’s if they aren’t already, rather than scanning them to convert them to PDF’s. Sometimes scanning is necessary, especially when including letters of support or other signed documents on business letterhead.
Avoid using special characters like &, @, # in document names.
Videos cannot be embedded in an application but are accepted under limited circumstances as post-submission material such as a link to a video in YouTube or Vimeo.
When you submit your application, do not close your browser until you receive the Submission Confirmation E-mail.
If you have any questions, contact Kathy Johnson, Grants Manager at The Sherwood Foundation, at info@sherwoodfoundation.org.
Grant Application Templates
These documents can be used both as a guide to ensure you are ready to complete a grant application and a tool for cut & paste purposes to make a final submission easier.
When grant applications are open for submission, there will be an Apply Now button on the home page of our website and through the “Apply” tab on the page menu.
Templates are in .docx format. Open and save to your computer.