The Foundation’s priorities and interest areas remain consistent, but funding will begin to encompass a wider geographic area in the years to come. Applications will be considered from organizations serving people in Colorado, Idaho and Oregon.

The Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation that was incorporated in 1948. The Foundation directs its resources to organizations that:

• Relieve Suffering
• Meet Basic Human Needs
• Promote Self-sufficiency
• Enrich the Quality of Life

AREAS OF INTEREST

Within the four main mission categories, areas of particular interest include:

• Community and Social Services
• Education
• Youth
• Health
• Civic and Culture
• Seniors

If you have questions about the areas of interest, please feel free to call the Foundation office.

TYPES OF GRANTS

Grants are awarded for general support, program support and capital/special projects.

In 2012, the Foundation will use a new online process. The online process will be available from this website on January 17, 2012.

GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINES

The Foundation welcomes requests throughout the year. However, in order to be considered at the next Board meeting, complete preliminary letters or written proposals must be submitted by March 1 for the Summer meeting and September 1 for the Winter meeting. The Foundation asks applicants to comply with the following schedule:

For Colorado grant seekers

Deadline: March 1 if you were last awarded a grant between January and June.

Deadline: September 1 if you were last awarded a grant between July and December.

For Idaho grant seekers through the Deer Creek Fund

Deadline: March 1 for consideration at the June meeting.

For Oregon grant seekers (application is by invitation only)

Deadline: September 1 for consideration at the December meeting.

Due to the large volume of requests that the Foundation receives, it is helpful to receive proposals prior to the specific deadlines.

CONSIDERATIONS IN EVALUATING GRANT APPLICATIONS

The Johnson Foundation considers each grant application carefully. In evaluating requests, the Foundation values the following in organizations:

• Client-focused and results-oriented
• High quality services
• Innovation
• Leadership in their field
• Demonstration of best practices
• Efficient use of resources including minimizing administrative costs
• Collaboration with other organizations
• Commitment to public dissemination of results and outcomes
• Directors or Trustees all of whom regularly contribute to the organization

The Foundation also expects applicant organizations to:

• Identify real problems/needs in the community consistent with Johnson Foundation mission and values
• Evaluate opportunities for change in the nature and delivery of their services
• Design, develop and deliver measurable and manageable solutions
• Address causes rather than symptoms
• Create leverage
• Be sustainable
• Demonstrate the potential for replication of the project

GUIDELINES FOR CAPITAL GRANTS

The Johnson Foundation only makes capital grants in exceptional and compelling circumstances. Capital grant applications should meet the following requirements:

• Be essential for continuing the operating effectiveness of the organization.
• Have a positive cost-benefit analysis
• Be energy efficient and sustainable.
• Evidence consideration for the funding of future maintenance.
• Address a compelling need (i.e. program expansion) for the new facility beyond just “trading up.”
• Be consistent with the Johnson Foundation’s mission statement and areas of interest.
• Have in place a funding plan for completion of the project before construction begins.
• Show the new facility will be used intensively.
• Organization must be a recognized leader in its field.

Generally, the Foundation limits its grant making so that it does not:

• make loans or fund endowments
• fund individuals
• fund conferences or give scholarships to individuals
• make multiple-year grants or award grants more frequently than once in any twelve-month period
• support fundraising dinners or special events

The Foundation does not support organizations whose primary purpose is to influence (directly or indirectly) the legislative process in any manner or for any cause. In addition, the Foundation will not consider grant requests that pass through the nominal grant recipient to another organization.