The Roberts Foundation has two grant programs:

• Excellence in the Arts grants (our regular grant program)
• Creation of New Work Initiative

The guidelines below are for the Excellence in the Arts grants only.

Purpose and Funding Focus

The Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation is a private, special purpose foundation. In accordance with its founders' wishes, its purpose is to support and encourage excellence in the arts.

The Foundation focuses its support on the creation, presentation, and performance of works of art. The Foundation considers project and capital requests and occasionally makes multi-year grants.

Arts education proposals are accepted from arts organizations only. The program must include a meaningful engagement between the students and the artistic process.

Geographic Areas Served

The Foundation does not fund organizations outside Hartford County and gives priority to arts nonprofits in the following cities and towns:

• Hartford
• Bloomfield
• East Hartford
• Newington
• South Windsor
• West Hartford
• Wethersfield
• Windsor

Eligibility

• Only organizations that are exempt from Federal income tax under provision 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code may apply.

• After successive years of grants, an organization may be requested to take a year off.

• At least twelve months must pass between applications

• A final report on any previous grant must be on file at the Foundation before a new request will be considered.

The foundation will NOT fund:

• Requests for endowment, general operating, scholarships, or from individuals under its general grantmaking program

• Projects that have already occurred or are underway at the time the Board considers the application (see below for meeting dates)

• Proposals that use a fiscal agent or a pass-through organization
• Events or activities that will take place within 90 days of the application due date.

Deadlines and Decisions

• Applications are considered quarterly. 2012 deadlines are February 1, May 2, August 1, and November 1.
• Applications should be emailed with required labeled attachments by 5:00pm on the deadline date.
• The Board will meet on the following dates:
  March 20
  June 12
  September 11
  December 11
• Organizations will be notified of the Board's decision shortly after the meeting.

First Step

Application to the Foundation should be initiated with a telephone call or email to the Executive Director to discuss the proposed project. For first time applicants, the Executive Director may wish to schedule a site visit. For particularly large requests ($25,000 or more), it is recommended that the initial call be made well in advance of application. In these cases, a short (1-2 page) project description may be requested prior to submission of a full application.

A post-grant final report for your most recent Roberts Foundation grant must be on file before we will consider another proposal.

In an effort to save paper and postage, we are asking grantees to submit their application via email by 5:00pm on the deadline date. Your email must include the following attachments in PDF form and named as specified below:

1. Your Organization Name Cover letter (on organization letterhead)
2. Your Organization Name Narrative (as described on our website)
3. Your Organization Name Last Year Operational budget: last completed fiscal year showing budget and final figures
4. Your Organization Name Current Operational budget: current fiscal year and year-to-date figures
5. Your Organization Name Financial Statement: most recent annual financial statement (audited, if available)
6. Your Organization Name Balance Sheet: a current balance sheet for the organization (within three months)
7. Your Organization Name Board list: a list of officers and Board members with titles and addresses
8. Your Organization Name 501(c)(3) designation letter
9. Your Organization Name Annual report (You may also mail 10 hard copies of your annual report to our PO Box or deliver them to our street address.)

Incomplete applications will be returned. If you experience any problems emailing these documents you may copy them to a CD and hand deliver it to our street address or mail the CD to our PO Box. Any materials mailed to our PO Box must be postmarked by the deadline date.

Content of Your Application

1. Your cover letter should summarize the request, state the amount requested and when it will be needed. This should be signed (scanned or electronic signature) by the Executive Director or Board President.
2. Your narrative should be as complete, specific, and concise as possible - not to exceed 5 pages. It should include:
   • A brief description of your organization, including its history, mission, current activities, population the organization serves, and governance (including frequency of board meetings and record of attendance). Your organization's definition of artistic excellence. How do both your organization and the proposed project meet that definition?
   • A description of the subject of the request. How does this fit into the larger context of the organization? Cite the benefits to the community at large. Provide details such as date, time, place, number of participants or attendees, ticket prices and plan to market them, etc.
   • A description of how the project will be evaluated. The amount of funding desired and when it will be needed.
   • A project budget, including all sources of income and expense.
   • A list of sources and amounts of grants being sought for the same project. Identify their status.
3. Each required attachment should be saved as a PDF and named as specified below. Please do not overlook the following requirements as the Foundation carefully examines the financial health and management of the organization in considering its decision. Incomplete applications will be returned.
   • Your Organization Name Last Year Operational budget: last completed fiscal year showing budget and final figures
   • Your Organization Name Current Operational budget: current fiscal year and year-to-date figures
   • Your Organization Name Financial Statement: most recent annual financial statement (audited, if available)
   • Your Organization Name Balance Sheet: a current balance sheet for the organization (within three months)
   • Your Organization Name Board list: a list of officers and Board members with titles and addresses
   • Your Organization Name 501(c)(3) designation letter
   • Your Organization Name Annual Report (You may also mail 10 hard copies of your annual report to our PO Box or deliver them to our street address.)

Questions should be directed to Lisa M. Curran, Executive Director at (860) 233-0228 or edwannroberts@att.net

Contact Information