Letter of Inquiry


Wisconsin Center for Academically Talented youth training program in action.
The Madison Community Foundation community impact grantmaking process is designed to gather ideas and advance initiatives that impact lives and our community for the long-term.



The MCF Board of Governors has again decided to exercise flexibility in helping the community deal with the ongoing economic crisis. In order to build on local non-profit assets, helping them bridge these tumultuous times and continue their excellent work in the community, MCF will commit 50% of unrestricted dollars in 2010 to organizations that deliver services in the areas of food, shelter and job training.  The remaining unrestricted funds will be awarded to projects from MCF's traditional seven focus areas - Arts & Culture, Children, Community Development, Elderly, Environment, Learning and Youth.

There will be one competitive grant cycle in 2010 with a Letter of Inquiry due by January 15, 2010. Letters of Inquiry will be reviewed and select applicants will be invited to submit a full grant application. There will be no 2010 fall grant cycle.

All grant applicants are strongly encouraged to review Grant Guidelines and to contact Tom Linfield, Vice President of Grantmaking and Community Initiatives, at (608) 232-1763.

The Letter of Inquiry process has been simplified for 2010. Applicants are no longer required to obtain a username and password and can simply submit an electronic Letter of Inquiry to Tom Linfield. Applicants may use the Letter of Inquiry form available in Word or they can submit an electronic document containing the following information: 

  • Organization Name
  • Grant Contact Name, Title & Email
  • Executive Director Name & Email
  • Organization Address & Phone
  • Organization EIN#
  • Organization Mission (1,000 character limit)
  • Project Name
  • Project Start & End Date
  • Project Budget
  • Total Funds Raised to Date
  • Total Funds Requested from MCF
  • Project Description (2,500 character limit): Summarize the project. Describe the purpose of the proposed project, the issues that will be addressed, the significance of those issues, and the impact on Dane County. Indicate who will benefit and estimate their number. Describe how your project will expland or completment exististing community services, plus any arrangements to collaborate with other organizations.
  • Proposed Outcome (500 character limit): List up to three intended outcomes for the project.
  • MCF Alignment (500 character limit):  Describe how the project furthers the mission and priorities of the Madison Community Foundation. 

___________________________________________________________________________

  • Letters of Inquiry need to be emailed to Tom Linfield no later than 4:30 p.m. on the respective due date. If the date falls on a weekend or holiday, letters are due on the next business day.
  • Please include your organization's name in the subject line of the email.
  • Letters of Inquiry should not exceed two pages. A submission greater than two pages will be returned to the applicant and will not be accepted for review.
  • Letters of Inquiry must be submitted electronically; materials sent by fax or mail will not be accepted.