We seek and value opportunities to build meaningful relationships with our grantees. We believe in providing flexible resources to help further shared missions, goals, and organizational sustainability. We are open to considering applications for existing and innovative programs and projects, general operating support, and single-year and multi-year funding.
The Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation accepts newly developed applications and/or applications previously submitted to the MWS Foundation, those submitted to opportunities outside of the MWS Foundation, as well as the NJ and NY Common Application. Please ensure all required information is included in your final submission. Typical application requests and awards range from $5,000-$50,000, though there are no specific guidelines on the amount requested. Receiving funding in any given grant cycle does not guarantee continuous or future grant awards. The Board of Trustees, at their discretion, may from time to time make other mission-related grants and investments outside of our regular timelines and guidelines.
Application Guidelines
Incorporated as 501(c)(3) organization by the Internal Revenue Service
Not classified as 501(c)(3) public charities by the Internal Revenue Service
Benefit and serve the greater Morris County, NJ area
No active nondiscrimination policy for employees and services
Animal Welfare, inclusive access to The Arts, Local Economic Development and Progress, Conservation and Preservation, equal access to Educational Opportunities, mental and physical Health and Wellness, Addiction and Homelessness
Individuals, loans, general fundraising benefits and events, endowment campaigns
Grants supporting specified projects and/or general operating expenses
Research unless it contains an explicit and practical application or outcome
Solicited or unsolicited grants
Candidates for political office or to lobby in support/against legislation or political action
1-year or multi-year grants
Religious organizations and activities, with the exception of grants related to the aforementioned areas of interest
Required Documentation
- EIN Number
- Leadership contact information
- List of Board of Trustees, education, business background, and other affiliations
- Form 990
- Financial statements:
a. 3 years of the most recent financial statements, preferably audited by an independent source. If the organization does not have audited financial statements, we will accept financial statements reviewed by an independent accountant.
b. Operating expense budget for current and most recent fiscal year
c. Current expense budget for the proposed project to be supported by the grant
d. List of all sources of income toward the proposed project, actual and prospective, with amounts - Grant request narrative
Process Timelines
Environment & Animal Welfare
Arts & Culutre
Community Services
The application portal will be open from June 1, 2024 until June 30, 2024 for applications related to Human Services, Animal Welfare, Environment, and Arts & Culture. After that, no applications will be accepted during the current grant cycle. The application portal will be open from January 1, 2025 until January 31, 2025 for applications related to Community Services and Education. After that, no applications will be accepted during the current grant cycle. Please see below for a detailed explanation of each area of interest.
Once an application has been submitted, no changes will be accepted. If the reviewer has questions regarding the application, they will contact you for clarification or further information. If there is more than one person involved in completing the application, you may collaborate using different usernames within your organization's Submittable account. Please note, there are program limitations on multiple people working on the application simultaneously.
You will receive email confirmation when your application has been submitted. Applications will be reviewed through September 2024 or April 2025, depending on your area of interest. Those applications requiring a site visit will be contacted in July and August 2024 or February and March 2025. The objective of a site visit is to learn more about the organization and address any final questions so the final evaluation may be fully informed and complete. A site visit does not ensure a grant award.
By October 15, 2024 and May 15, 2025, recommendations for grant awards will be made to the Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation Board of Trustees for review and discussion. Final decisions on all applications will be made by November 1, 2024 or June 1, 2025. All applicants will be notified of the decision regarding their application by November 15, 2024 or June 15, 2025.
If you are notified that your application did not receive a grant, we encourage you to remain in touch with the Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation through our website and social media outlets to learn about Beyond Grantmaking and future opportunities.
If your application is awarded a grant, you will receive a Grant Agreement. You can expect to work closely with the Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation to outline the terms of the agreement, the terms of awarding the funds, and next steps to take together.
Funding Timeline
Grantee partners can expect to receive grant funding in December 2024 or July 2025 as outlined in the Grant Agreement. Grant awards less than $50,000 may be awarded in full. Grant awards above $50,000 may be required to be distributed throughout the life of the grant project, as goals or objectives are met and reported upon as outlined in the Grant Agreement.
If you have questions throughout your application process, you may email them to mimi@mwstarrettfoundation.org, and can expect a response within 24 business hours. If your question pertains to the actual online form, please contact Submittable using the “help” button on the application page.