A cover letter on the organization’s letterhead, including the organization’s physical and mailing addresses, all direct points of contact including email addresses, and signed by the chief executive officer (e.g., President or Executive Director). The cover letter should include:

• A brief history of the organization.
• The organization’s mission statement.
• A description of the need for and intended use of the grant.
• The amount of funding requested.
• Details of any challenge or matching grant to which the requested grant relates.
• If the organization has previously received funding from The John M. O’Quinn Foundation, the amount of funding received and the dates of such funding.

Provide a brief statement explaining how the organization and the specific program or project for which funding is requested align with The John M. O’Quinn Foundation’s mission statement. The statement should describe the connection between the Foundation’s mission and the proposed use of grant funds, including the anticipated impact on the Greater Houston community. Please provide a concise response of approximately 200 words or less.

A copy of the organization’s budget for the current year and the next year, if available, as well as a budget for the specific project or program to be funded.

A list of your financial and in-kind support for the past 3 years, organized by year. This should cover funding for both your overall organization and the specific project. Include the donor’s name, the dollar amount, and all funds received or pledged. To keep the list manageable, you may use a minimum cutoff of $5,000 or $10,000. Please provide a separate 3-year list specifically for Foundation funding.

A current list of the Board of Directors or other governing body, along with:

• The percentage of total support coming from the Board of Directors for the last 3 years.
• The percentage of Board members who contributed to the organization for the last 3 years.
• The percentage of Board members who contributed to the program or project to be funded.

A copy of the organization’s most recently filed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990, if applicable.

A copy of the organization’s latest audited financial statements and the organization’s most recent interim financial statements. If audited financial statements are not available, please provide an explanation as to why and provide unaudited financials.

A copy of the organization’s exemption letter from the IRS evidencing that the organization is an institution described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and is not a “private foundation” within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Code.

• If the organization is a supporting organization, please identify the type of supporting organization and provide a written representation that the organization is not classified as a Type III supporting organization that is not a “Type III functionally integrated supporting organization” within the meaning of Section 4942(g)(4)(A)(i) of the Code. Additional information and/or documentation may be required.

Include 2–3 letters of support from Board members, volunteers, donors, or others. The purpose of these letters is to provide a strong case from members of the community in support of funding the organization or proposed project. PLEASE NOTE: Letters of Support should be compiled and included with the grant proposal package, not mailed separately to Trustees.