Bothin Foundation Capital Grants

The Bothin Foundation, based in San Francisco, California, is dedicated to funding organizations that align with its mission to support nonprofit entities that provide assistance in areas such as health, education, and community development. The Foundation operates through an online grant portal, where applicants can submit proposals, track their grant history, and manage reports. The application process is designed to be manageable and efficient, with clear guidelines and a structured approach to submitting requests.

The Foundation offers grants to organizations that meet its funding priorities, with a primary focus on capital projects. The funding process is managed in cycles throughout the year, with applications reviewed during the Foundation's board meetings in winter, spring, and fall. Grant applications are typically accepted about three months before these meetings. This schedule allows applicants to plan ahead and submit their proposals within specific windows of time. The Foundation has set submission periods for 2025, with deadlines clearly stated for winter, spring, and fall cycles.

Applicants must first review the Foundation's guidelines to determine if their request aligns with the funding priorities. The application process begins with a step-by-step outline that details narrative questions and required documents. The Foundation encourages applicants to draft their responses using external tools such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs and then copy them into the online application form. This approach is particularly useful for organizations with multiple people working on the application.

Once the organization profile and personal profile have been created in the online portal, applicants must complete the grant proposal. This includes filling out necessary information such as financial details, an organizational budget, a budget for the capital project, and proof of IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. If the budget for the project exceeds the amount requested, a Funder Worksheet is required. Additional documents, including the latest organizational audit or financial statements, a list of the board of directors, and proof of tax-exempt status, are also required for submission.

The Foundation emphasizes that applications may only be submitted during the open submission dates, which are strictly enforced. Applications must be completed and submitted by 5 p.m. on the last day of the submission period. Late applications will not be considered, and the "new proposal" icon will only be available during the open submission windows. Successful applicants will be notified when selection decisions have been made. The Foundation aims to distribute grants in March, May, and October following the respective submission periods.

Grantees are required to submit reports at the end of the grant period. These reports involve providing PDF copies of relevant invoices and receipts, along with an optional narrative. All reporting is done via the online portal, and grantees are expected to use their previously established login credentials to access the reporting system.