FAQs FOR GRANTSEEKERS
1.
How can I apply for a grant?
We do not accept unsolicited proposals. The Foundation offers long-term, general-operating support grants to existing grantee partners.
2.
Who are your current and past grantee partners?
We support grassroots organizations that are led by and for communities impacted by the issues the organization is working to address – where young people are a core part of planning and decision-making processes - as they have lived experience and innovative, community-centered solutions. Grantee partners work on intersecting issues, in three geographic areas, New York, New Orleans, and Chicago.
3.
Who are your current and past grantee partners?
We support grassroots organizations that are led by and for communities impacted by the issues the organization is working to address – where young people are a core part of planning and decision-making processes - as they have lived experience and innovative, community-centered solutions. Grantee partners work on intersecting issues, in three geographic areas, New York, New Orleans, and Chicago.
4.
What is your typical grant commitment and size?
The multi-phase cohort model is designed to provide flexible and reliable support that enables grantee organizations to build critical infrastructure, develop strong leaders, adapt and seize opportunities, and take risks. Grant commitments generally span 10 years and range from 10-15 percent of an organization’s budget.
5.
Do you collaborate with other funders?
The Foundation is committed to advocating on behalf of our grantee partners for more equitable grantmaking practices and increased resources to support the leadership, visions, and strategies of young people. We seek to contribute to conversations with our peers to encourage equity within philanthropy and, through collaboration, leverage resources for the field of youth organizing.
6.
Where does your funding come from?
We are a private foundation that draws on the endowment established in by David Welles Sr. and his wife, Georgia Welles. The Foundation was created to engage multiple generations of the family in philanthropic pursuits. They named the Foundation after a beloved Canadian island that served as a summer gathering place for the extended Welles family. We spend around five percent of our assets annually in the form of grants.
7.
Do you fund fiscally sponsored organizations?
We make grants to qualifying fiscal sponsors of organizations, as well as organizations with 501(c)(3) status.