The Sara Lee Foundation's application process is an invitational Request-For-Proposal system. This process is designed to allow both prospective applicant organizations and the Foundation staff to maximize their time and resources in the granting process.
Due to the difficult economic environment, the granting process is highly competitive. As a result, many proposals, while valuable and worthwhile, will not be supported by the Foundation.
Because of this competitiveness, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of meeting the eligibility criteria and following the grants process outlined in the Giving Guidelines in order to prepare the most timely, thoughtful, and complete submissions. The following steps below are outlined in the Giving Guidelines, which you may download from this site.
Step 1:
Determine if your organization is eligible.
Step 2:
Determine if the type of support and level of support your organization is requesting is eligible.
Step 3:
Consider all eligibility requirements and funding priorities.
Step 4:
Submit a 2-page Letter-Of-Intent (LOI).
Step 5:
Await notification from the Sara Lee Foundation regarding your Letter-Of-Intent.
Step 6:
Complete and submit your Request-For-Proposal (RFP) Form.
Step 7:
The Sara Lee Foundation will review all submitted Request-For-Proposal forms.
Step 8:
Await notification from the Sara Lee Foundation regarding your RFP form.
Step 9:
Submit final reports regarding your Sara Lee Foundation grant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility Questions
Q: Does the Sara Lee Foundation support organizations which are requesting funds for general operating support?
A: Yes. The Sara Lee Foundation provides funding for both project and general operating support; however, the Foundation's priority is to fund projects.
Q: Will the Sara Lee Foundation consider a request for capital needs?
A: No. The Sara Lee Foundation does not fund capital and /or endowment campaigns.
Q: Our organization is located outside the city limits of Chicago but within the six-collar county metropolitan area; are we eligible to apply?
A: Yes; however, the Foundation's priority is to fund organizations within the city limits of Chicago.
Q: Can an organization receive a grant in both program areas?
A: No. An organization can only receive funding from one of the Foundation's program areas: the Community Initiatives Program or the Cultural Program.
Q: My organization receives a significant amount of funding from the United Way and local, state and federal government. Are we still eligible for funding?
A: Yes. The level of funding your organization receives from any source does not affect your eligibility as long as your organization has been given 501(c)(3) status by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service; however, we do encourage diversity in funding sources.
Process Questions
Q: What is the deadline to submit Letters-Of-Intent?
A: Letters-Of-Intent must be received by 5:00 p.m. on July 10 and January 10 each fiscal year.
Q: What does the Foundation mean when it asks for an audit of the "most recently completed fiscal year?"
A: If six months have passed since the end of your most recently completed fiscal year, your organization should and must have an audit for that fiscal year. Under no circumstance will outdated audits be accepted by the Foundation. (Example: If your fiscal year end is June 30th, you should have a completed and board approved audit by January 1.)
Q: Should the Foundation be contacted once the Letter-Of-Intent is submitted?
A: No. The Foundation will notify the organization if an invitation to submit an RFP Form is extended.
Q: How soon will a decision be made once I submit the RFP Form?
A: Normally, if the application is complete as submitted, the review process takes 12-16 weeks from the deadline date. The Foundation will send written notification if the process is anticipated to be longer.
Q: How will I know if we have been selected for funding?
A: Each organization will receive written notification from the Foundation.
Q: If we are not selected for support, can we reapply?
A: Yes; however, you can only submit a Letter-Of-Intent and apply once per the Foundation's fiscal year (July - June cycle).
