Before proceeding with the online application, please be sure to review the details in the Grant Priorities. Please note that the Fund’s grant priorities are restated from time to time and your application will be evaluated in light of the current stated grant priorities.
NEW! LOI Phase
The Betterment Fund is introducing a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) phase as part of our grants process. This is a new step for us, and we look forward to learning whether it helps applicants save time and helps us gain clearer insight into whether they are a potential fit with our funding priorities. The LOI takes the form of a brief questionnaire designed to gather basic information about your organization and/or proposed project. Please note that we may revise this process in the future and could discontinue the LOI phase at any time.
Grant Cycle Dates
The application is revised annually, and typically becomes available in early February. Please check on our grant portal login page for reference.
- June 2026 Grant Awards
- LOI Due: March 15th, 2026
- Full Application Due: April 15th, 2026
- October 2026 Grant Awards
- LOI Due: July 15th, 2026
- Full Application Due: August 15th, 2026
- February 2027 Grant Awards
- LOI Due: November 15th, 2026
- Full Application Due: December 15th, 2026
* All submissions due by 5 pm ET on the specified date.
Please note that at each year-end the Fund archives any application drafts that were not submitted.
Grant Decision Notifications
Letter of Inquiry (LOI) decisions will be provided via email approximately two weeks after the LOI due date. Nonprofits that are invited to continue will then have approximately two and one half weeks to complete and submit their full Application by the due date indicated above.
Final grant decisions will be made within six to eight weeks of the full Application due date. Notifications will go out promptly by email to the email address provided by the applicant in the Application.
If an Application is not funded, the applicant may request an explanation of the decision, which may or may not be granted at the sole discretion of the Trustees.
Frequency of Applications Policy
Denied Applicants: You may apply 12 months after your last application due date.
Current Grantees: You may apply for a new grant after you’ve received your final grant payment, fulfilled the purpose of your grant, and filed your final report. However, you may not apply sooner than 9 months after the final grant payment of your previous grant.
Online Application Instructions
First-Time Users: The Betterment Fund uses the Foundant system for its online application process. If you are using the online system for the first time, you may watch this 5-minute video on how to use the system.
SAVE Your Application As You Go: : Please note that the “Save” button is located at the bottom of the application form. Foundant recommends saving the application each time you complete the uploading of a document as well.
Character Limits: Character limits are given for each response. Please do not feel compelled to use all of the characters allowed. Being concise and clear is good.
Acronyms: If using an acronym in your grant application or any attachments, please note what it stands for.
File Uploads: PDFs are strongly preferred and Word documents are also accepted.
Additional Application Requirements for Fiscal Sponsorship: Any organization that is applying using a Fiscal Sponsor must register under its own name followed by “f/s” and the Fiscal Sponsor’s name. For example, Betty’s Great Organization should register as “Betty’s Great Organization, f/s The Land Trust.” The following information will be requested if you are applying via a Fiscal Sponsor:
- The Fiscal Sponsor’s employer identification number.
- A brief statement addressing the following:
- Why your organization is not itself recognized as a 501(c)(3) public charity
- Whether your organization has filed an application for recognition of its tax exemption (Form 1023) with the IRS
- A copy of the Fiscal Sponsorship agreement between your organization and the organization serving as Fiscal Sponsor. The Fiscal Sponsorship agreement must reflect the dedication of grant funds to a tax-exempt purpose and the administrative charge if any. If you are in doubt about what should be included in the agreement, you may download here a sample form of a Fiscal Sponsor agreement.
Financials are requested specifically for your organization except for the Fiscal Sponsor Section.