Frequent Questions About the Foundation's Grant Process

The following is a list of the most common questions people ask about The Bullitt Foundation's grant application process. If you require additional clarification, please contact the Foundation by email at grants@bullitt.org or telephone at 206-343-0807. 

Who is eligible for funding?

The Foundation invites inquiries from nonprofit organizations that are working to safeguard the natural environment by promoting responsible human activities and sustainable communities in the Pacific Northwest. Our funding region is defined as Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana (including the Rocky Mountain range), south-central Alaska, and British Columbia. Within that broad geographic range, work is targeted to specific sub-regions generally associated with major population centers.

To be eligible, US organizations must have a current nonprofit tax status under the Internal Revenue Act. Applicants must have a 501(c)(3) determination letter, or identify themselves as a validly organized and operating municipal corporation, public agency, or Native American tribe.

Canadian applicants must have a Canadian Certificate of Incorporation and charity registration documents to be eligible. Questions about Canadian charitable tax status may be directed to Amber Knox, aknox@bullitt.org, Director of Grants Management.

Charitable grantees sometimes contract to provide fiscal sponsorship for projects of other groups. However, such relationships are strictly between the grantee and the other groups. The charitable grantee is responsible for administering the grant, for ensuring that no funds are misspent, and for achieving the objectives described in the proposal. Organizations that have applied for charitable tax status are not eligible to apply for a grant from The Bullitt Foundation until their charitable status has been acknowledged in writing by the federal government.

The Bullitt Foundation does not make grants to individuals.

Does the Foundation prefer to receive a Letter of Inquiry?

The Bullitt Foundation has implemented new grantmaking priorities and procedures. Please follow these directions even if you have applied for or received a Bullitt Foundation grant in the past.

To determine your eligibility for a Bullitt Foundation grant, please complete our Proposal Inquiry form, answering all questions completely but with the understanding that brevity is appreciated. A program officer will review your entries and may contact you to discuss the idea in more detail.

Please note that the Bullitt Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited proposals.

When are the application deadlines and what if the deadline falls on a weekend?

Inquiry deadlines are March 15 and September 15. 

Once encouraged to apply, grant application deadlines are May 1 and November 1. Applications must be submitted to our Online Grantee Portal no later than 5:00 PM Pacific Time, on the deadline date. 

If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a US federal holiday, the submission deadline is the next business day. 

The Foundation does not accept applications in hardcopy or by mail, email, or fax.

If I currently have a grant with the Foundation, what must I do before submitting another application?

The Foundation requires current grantees to complete an entire grant year - and file a final report - prior to reapplication. Submittal of the final report completes all requirements of the current grant, and grantee is then eligible to submit a new Proposal Inquiry.

Does the Foundation consider special requests for unforeseen situations or time-sensitive needs?

The Foundation will consider special requests in response to unforeseen situations or time-sensitive needs. However, funds for such grants are very limited, and approval standards are high. Current grantees are not precluded from submitting a special request. Interested applicants should contact the appropriate program officer to determine eligibility.

Who should I talk with about a project idea?

To determine your eligibility for a Bullitt Foundation grant, please complete our Proposal Inquiry form, answering all questions completely but with the understanding that brevity is appreciated. A program officer will review your entries and may contact you to discuss the idea in more detail. Please follow these directions even if you have applied for or received a Bullitt Foundation grant in the past.

The Foundation has assigned a program officer, with expertise in that area of responsibility, to each program area.  Our program officers and their program areas are listed on our program officers page.

Please note that the Bullitt Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited proposals.

Does the Foundation fund capital projects, including equipment, building construction, and land acquisitions?

No.

Does the Foundation fund university overhead costs?

No.

Does the Foundation fund Scholarship programs?

No. However, The Foundation does administer the Bullitt Environmental Fellowship, a two-year, $50,000/year fellowship for graduate students interested in pursuing leadership positions within the environmental field.

Does the Foundation fund legislation and lobbying?

The Foundation cannot designate any portion of its grants for use in influencing legislation. The Foundation's general support grants to Section 501(c)(3) public charities may be used to support a grantee's overall operations, even if the grantee engages in lobbying as part of its programs. Foundation funds may never be used to support or oppose candidates for political office.

Does the foundation sponsor conferences, Fund raisers, marathons, competitions, festivals, or other one-time events?

As a rule, no. A great number of worthy requests for sponsorship are offered to the Bullitt Foundation, more than we can possibly accommodate. For this reason, the Board of Directors has decided not to accept any sponsorship invitations.

Does the Foundation fund environmental education projects?

We discontinued our funding of environmental education nearly a decade ago. We know that cuts in school budgets have reduced access to the hands-on experiences teachers are trying to provide. However, we simply don't have sufficient resources to support the many site specific and local programs that seek to fill these gaps.

How long is the grant application evaluation process?

Once invited to apply, the grant application evaluation process is approximately five months in length. Applicants will be informed of the board decision by email.

What has the Foundation funded in the past?

Please see our Grantees List. The Bullitt Foundation does not award grants to individuals.