Billy Blanks Foundation

GIVING GUIDELINES
The Foundation targets giving to programs that focus on providing high-risk women and children with a positive, nurturing environment and resources to build self-esteem and life skills that foster success. Support efforts focus upon organizations that lend to the philosophy - have faith, work hard and stay focused.

Please Note: As of January 28,2001 the Foundation will direct primary giving to programs developed for or working in collaboration with the Billy Blanks Youth Activity Center. The Youth Activity Center is currently in development stages. The Foundation anticipates a completion date of December 2003.

UNTIL THAT DATE LETTERS OF INQUIRY ARE WELCOME, HOWEVER PROPOSALS WILL BE REVIEWED BY INVITATION ONLY.

GRANTMAKING POLICIES
1. Community-based organizations interested in receiving a grant from The Billy Blanks Foundation may submit a letter of inquiry. The Board of Directors will favor organizations that fit our criteria, which are:


A. Agencies working with disadvantaged populations that provide (at least one):

1. After-School Activities
2. Mentoring
3. Counseling
4. Sports/Recreation Programs
5. Tutoring
6. Parenting Classes (for males and females under age 21)
7. Shelter for abused women and children
8. Pregnancy prevention and intervention

B. Agencies with budgets under $500,000 for the programs for which funding is sought.

C. Agencies in the Greater Los Angeles Area, and Erie, Pennsylvania.

2. Exclusions


The Billy Blanks Foundation receives more proposals than limited funds can accomodate. The board of directors has therefore concluded that it will not support:

Endowments, annual fund drives, fundraising events, support for operating deficits
Cultural institutions
Capital expenditure, construction, or renovation programs
Staff positions (however, they may be considered in relation to program service)
Aid to individuals

3. Types of Grants


Most Billy Blanks Foundation grants are small ($100 - $ 10,000) reflecting the foundation's limited budget, and may be project or general support grants. The foundation is interested in projects that provide direct service to women and children (primarily through the Billy Blanks Youth Activity Center), that foster a permanent life change and that encourage recipients to give back to the community.

4. Application Review Procedures


Grants are given three times each year. Letter of inquiry deadlines are March 15th, July 15th and November 15th. Grant decisions are made by May 1st, October 1st and December 31st, respectively.

Grant applications will be assigned to the next available Board of Directors meeting agenda based on the date on which the application is completed and the volume of grant applications received.

Both telephone pre-application inquiries and initial letters of inquiry regarding the Foundation's program policies, application procedures and the grantmaking process should be directed to the Foundation's Executive Director. The Foundation strongly discourages contact with the individual members of the Board of Directors regarding specific applications.

Should further information be required, the Foundation will contact the applicant's organization. An interview or site visit may be conducted or additional information and supporting data may be requested. Inquiry by the Foundation staff is not a guarantee of favorable consideration. Program staff will not provide the applicant with an assessment of an applicant's chances for approval.

Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been received and again when the Directors have made a decision. Occasionally, applications are deferred until the next Directors meeting pending further staff investigation.

The Foundation normally will not reconsider applications for programs that already have been denied unless the applicant is invited by the Foundation to revise and resubmit the application. Organizations whose applications have been denied may submit an application for another program during that same year.

5. Application Procedure


Applicants for funding may submit a letter of inquiry or a summary of their request. The foundation will acknowledge receipt of all proposals.

FORMAT/CONTENTS
Summaries should include the following information:

A. Cover sheet with

1. The organization's name, phone number, address, fax number and e-mail address
2. Contact person's name and title
3. Location and estimated duration of the program
4. Brief description of funding needs

B. History and current program overview, including a demographic data

C. Goals of the project for which funding is sought

D. Activities to achieve the objective

E. Evaluation plan to determine the results of the program

F. Budget of one page, identifying the projected expenses and income of the project

G. List and qualifications of program personnel

H. Other sources of funds

I. List of Board of Directors

J. Evidence of tax exempt status

6. Reporting Requirements


The Billy Blanks Foundation grantees are required to submit six-month and one-year reports. Renewal requests will be considered only if both reports have been made on a timely basis.

For more information on getting involved with the Billy Blanks Foundation
please call Naomi Whiting at:
(805) 494-6901 ext. 100