Field of Interest Funding Cycle

We award grants once each year from our Field-of-Interest funds. The grants support a variety of causes, including critical needs, low-income children, disabled children, and the arts.

• A letter of inquiry is due by March 1st of each year (or closest business day).
• Applicant agencies must be providing services in Dallas County in one or more of the following areas:

Suggested Format for Letter of Inquiry

• The name of the Field-of-Interest fund(s) for which you are eligible to apply (list all that are a match – The Foundation will assign the request to a specific fund)
• An introduction that includes the mission of the organization
• 1 paragraph that explains the agency’s history and work in the community
• 1-2 paragraphs that summarize the proposed project or program, including the segment of the community the project will serve
• 1 paragraph outlining the implementation timeline and process
• 1 paragraph outlining the desired outcome and the project’s benefits to the community
• 1 paragraph containing the amount requested, total budget for the project or program, and whether the grant is for a new project or to expand an existing project or program

Grant Restrictions

Field of interest funds are generally not available for:

• Organizations that have received grants from Field of Interest or Unrestricted funds from the Foundation within the preceding three years
• Multi-year grants
• Annual fund campaigns, underwriting of fundraising events, and marketing campaigns
• Religious purposes (although we do support educational and social service programs offered by faith-based organizations)
• Organizations located outside Dallas County, unless at least 50 percent of the clients served are residents of Dallas County
• Debt retirement
• Research
• Endowments
• Individuals