Guidelines

Grant requests are limited to programs and projects benefiting the critical needs of at risk women and children in the State of Texas. Requests are handled in a two step process

1. All requests are pre=screened to evaluate whether the project falls within the Foundation's guidelines.
2. For those proposals that meet the pre-screening criteria, a full evaluation will be conducted.

As part of the pre-screening process, please submit a Pre-Proposal Application by December 1^st. The Pre-Proposal Application will be reviewed by the Trustees. If the request warrants further consideration, you will be contacted to submit a full proposal which should be submitted by December 31^st.

If a full proposal is requested, a detailed description of the organization and the program must be submitted along with a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service indicating that it is an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. An organization may also qualify if it falls within the terms of Section 170(c)(1) and the contribution requested is to be used exclusively for public purposes. Further, a copy of the organization's most recent audited financial statements is required. Finally, a site visit will be conducted by one of the trustees as part of the evaluation process.

Grant proposals will be analyzed in the April funding meeting. Results of the meeting will be mailed to each organization. Single year grants require a status report as to the disposition of the funds within twelve months of the date granted. Multi-year grant payments are made after an annual review of the program. Capital campaigns are structured as a multi-year grant. Initial funding takes place after groundbreaking. Follow-on installments are funded upon the satisfaction of predefined hurdles, with the final payment being made after the completion of the project. Multi-year organizations are required to furnish a progress report by March1 of each year for consideration in the April funding meeting. This report should describe the status of the project and include an accounting of the grant funding.

The Lowe Foundation is obligated to adhere to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and be a responsible financial steward. Therefore, the Foundation reserves the right to suspend or terminate its commitment and call for a return of grant funds should there be a change in the organization's non-profit status, or it is determined that the funds are not being used for their specified purpose.