What is the average size of an Arca grant?
The Arca Foundation’s average grant is approximately $50,000-$75,000. However, many are less and a few are larger grants, depending upon the project.
Does the Arca Foundation fund international organizations?
No, the Arca Foundation only funds domestic public charities.
Should my organization submit a letter of inquiry?
No, the Arca Foundation has a small staff that is unable to respond to letters of inquiry.
What is the proposal deadline?
The Arca Foundation is not accepting unsolicited grant applications.
What elements should be included in my proposal?
Please see this page for the most up to date information on what to include in your proposal.
Should I contact Arca regarding the status of my proposal?
No. You will receive an email notifying you that the Foundation has received your proposal. If you do not receive an email confirming your proposal submission, you have not successfully submitted your proposal and supplemental materials via the Foundation’s online application system. If we have additional questions about your project or organization, we may contact you for details. You will be notified by email once the Board has made a decision with regard to your proposal.
Do I need to meet with Arca staff regarding my proposal in order for it to be considered?
No. Given the tremendous number of proposals we receive each cycle, it is not possible to meet with every applicant. However, if schedules permit, we may reach out to you directly to discuss your work either in person or by phone. The Arca Foundation Board and/or staff may request a site visit at your offices under some circumstances.
When and how will I find out whether my proposal has been funded?
You will be notified by email once the Board has made a decision with regard to your proposal. We try to send this information out within three weeks of the Board’s decision at the regular semi-annual meetings (May/June and November/December of each year).
Does Arca renew grants?
The Arca Foundation does not automatically renew grants to former grantees. Each new proposal and project is evaluated on its own merits, regardless of whether we have funded a particular organization or project in the past. Previous grantees may reapply for grants, although we typically do not award more than one grant to an organization in any one-year period. Thus, if your organization received a grant during a spring funding cycle one year, you should not plan to submit another proposal until the following spring except under exceptional circumstances.
Are current and/or former grantees guaranteed funding in the future?
No. Because we are a small foundation, we do not see ourselves as long-term sustaining funders. Rather, we see ourselves as “seed” funders—providing initial funding for new projects or organizations that are on the leading edge of progressive policy. We do, however, sometimes provide grants to former grantees if their work merits continued funding over the years.
Does the Arca Foundation consider requests for emergency funding or funding between grant cycles?
No, we do not accept unsolicited proposals between grant cycles. If we receive your proposal after the deadline, or well in advance of one, we may ask you to re-submit your proposal for the next funding cycle, but such a request should not be seen as a guarantee of future funding in that next cycle.