Guidelines for Grant Applications

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: When applying, please include the address where you want the funding sent and where you can accept certified mail. That is the only address we need. 

 

How to Apply to the Foundation

For 2024, the Foundation will be trying a new Application Process: Instead of an online form that applicants fill out and submit, we will be emailing the application form directly to applicants. 

Here's how it will work:

1) Email us at tcowenhoven@harrell-holdings.com with a brief description of the project or program you would like funding for, along with an estimate of how much money you will be requesting.

2) If your proposal sounds like something the Foundation is able to fund, we will email the application to you, along with the date that the application is due. The application will be attached to the email.
[Note: If you are unable to open emailed attachments, we will copy the application into the body of the email. You can then copy the application into another email or a word document.]

3) Answer the Application questions and email them, and the requested forms, back to the Foundation at tcowenhoven@harrell-holdings.com. Don't forget to send it back to us by the due date!

4) We will review your completed application and reply with our decision as soon as possible. 

To learn what sorts of projects the Foundation is likely to fund, check out the Past Grants, FAQs, and Apply pages on our website. You may also contact us at tcowenhoven@harrell-holdings.com with any questions.


General Application Guidelines

When considering an application, the Foundation looks for: 

     • A clear and specific budget for the project requiring funding, including how the requested funds will be allocated.

     • The projected number of constituents the project will serve.
     • The inclusion of the required supporting documents with your application. These required documents include: 

-a copy of your 501(c)3;

-the aforementioned budget;

-a list of your organization’s board members.

     • 501(c)3 organizations. The Foundation is only able to donate money to organizations that are 501(c)3 nonprofits.  [NOTE: If you are not a 501(c)3 but would like to learn how to become one, this guideline from the IRS is a good place to start.]

In addition, the Foundation requires all potential grantees to be registered on GuideStar.org. This is a free service for all 501(c)3 nonprofits, and a good guide for donors wishing to learn about a charitable organization.

If you have any questions, or wish to discuss potential project ideas, please feel free to email us at tcowenhoven@harrell-holdings.com.

 

Restrictions 

Funding will NOT be considered for the following:

  • General fundraising events, campaigns, dinners or mass mailings. 
  • Direct aid to individuals, or other Private Foundations.
  • Social, labor, political or fraternal organizations or movements.
  • Operational or mission-related work of religious organizations. However, Kern County 501(c)3 religious organizations may apply for specific project-related support, such as funding for educational or literacy programs.
  • Multi-year grants. Though occasionally given, the Foundation prefers to fund standalone projects or one-time financial support. In addition, the Foundation is unlikely to award funding to an organization that has received a grant award within the past year. However, exceptions may be made if the organization is requesting funding for a different project or program than the previous year's grant award. 
  • Kern County-based nonprofits: The Foundation can only donate to nonprofits located in the Kern County region. However, outside nonprofits with projects focused solely on impacting Kern County may be considered on a case-by-case basis.


Other Pertinent Information

• Follow-Up Reports: Once a grant is awarded, a report is expected on how the funds were put into practice. This Follow-Up Form is supplied by the Foundation, and will be emailed directly to you once a grant is awarded. The Follow-Up Form is due a year after the grant funds are received. The role of the report is to help the Foundation evaluate how best to allocate limited funds. It would be difficult for The Foundation to consider any new monetary requests from an organization that has not returned such a report.

• Grassroots Organizations: The Foundation has a particular interest in assisting grassroots, self-help organizations.

 

The Foundation's Mailing Address is: P.O. Box 11171, Bakersfield, CA 93389