The Eulalie Bloedel Schneider Foundation is a small family foundation, founded in 1996 through the legacy of Prentice Bloedel. Its mission is to support secular grassroots programs that enhance individual and family self-sufficiency and economic stability.

We are interested in programs that provide job-related educational and skill building opportunities, and those seeking to build character and develop self-reliance and accountability. We also support artistic and cultural skill-building programs for youth and families that can enhance educational and future career opportunities.

We particularly encourage requests from organizations creating opportunities for our region’s immigrant communities.

THE FOUNDATION WILL SUPPORT

• Nonprofit 501(c)(3) groups in the Puget Sound area that meet the above criteria.

• General operating expenses or special projects for community-based programs.

• Technical assistance requests for board and staff training (up to $600).

• Groups that are rooted in a community, member-controlled, continue to attract new members, and have an ongoing method for developing new leadership.

THE FOUNDATION WILL NOT SUPPORT

• Groups outside the Puget Sound area.

• National organizations, even those with projects in the Pacific Northwest.

• Human services or low-income services projects or organizations that are not specifically providing skill-building or training opportunities.

• Programs with a religious or proselytizing approach or mission.

• Educational and outreach programs of large artistic or cultural institutions.

• Museum exhibits or related outreach programs for schools or communities.

• Traditional academic-oriented literacy, tutoring, and mentorship programs.

• Individual requests for research or scholarships.

• Childcare centers, schools, or classroom projects.

• Book, video, film, or home-page productions, unless the expenses occur within the context of a project that fits the foundation's major areas of interest.

• Computer, software, or office equipment purchases unless clearly a component of a project that fits foundation areas of interest.

• Capital campaigns for building construction or renovations.

• Total annual grants: approximately $50,000.

• Average grant size: $2,000. Grants range from $1,000 to $3,500.

• Time Out: After receiving three single-year grants, a group is asked to wait two years before reapplying.

• Multi-Year Grants: Groups who have received at least three years of EBS funding (two consecutively) may apply for a three-year grant ($4,000-$4,000-$3,000). Trustees may select one or two each funding cycle, based on an effective track record and the organization’s commitment to skillbuilding as a major priority. Following completion of third-year funding, multiyear grant recipients must wait a full two years before re-applying. Trustees may make a site visit to each applicant accepted for consideration. A year-end report is required each year. For 2nd and 3rd year funding, a brief update letter and budget summary will substitute for a full proposal. (See How to Apply, below.)

Full Proposals. If you are invited to submit a full proposal, please prepare the following information. (We will also be glad to accept a Common Application Proposal format you may have prepared for another foundation, if it includes all the information we request.)

• Narrative, not to exceed four pages. Clearly describe the strategies your project or organization will use to address community issues — who's doing what, and why. If you're emulating a successful model from else-where, explain why that approach was selected. If innovative, explain your approach. Describe the role of your organization in your community. Discuss how you are connected to other community efforts, as well as your group's unique role. Explain the general work-plan for the one-year grant period, and how you will evaluate the success/effectiveness of your project. (We recognize this is a challenge in four pages — in short, we want to read succinct information about who you are, why you are conducting your project, and how you'll get there.)

• Budget summary. For general operating support, submit an organizational budget (actual & projected sources of income). If you are requesting project support, explain the income/expenses of both the project and the larger organization. (Please do not send large audited financial statements.)

• IRS 501(c)(3) notification letter and Optional additional information: newsletters, press coverage, endorsements or testimonials from past project participants.

Multi-Year Requests.

• Narrative. Not to exceed four pages, describing goals, strategies, and workplan for the three year grant period. Also provide a proposed budget for the three year period, including likely sources of funding. As only one or two groups will be selected, we also want to be clear about your request for single-year funding – therefore please attach a very brief one-page description (bullet-point summary okay) of the amount you would request and how you would use a single-year grant.

• Due-date. Instead of submitting a brief pre-application, full multiyear proposals are due at the pre-application deadline. If your project is not selected for multi-year consideration, the one-page summary of a one-year project will serve as a pre-application letter. All multi-year applicants will automatically be considered for funding when trustees review full proposals.

• Years 2 and 3 requests. Please submit a brief year-end report at the full proposal deadline. Trustees will review this report prior to allocating funding for years two and three.

Technical Assistance Grants These requests may be submitted throughout the year. Please submit a letter describing how a small grant (up to $600) for a targeted consultation or training will move your group to greater financial stability or organizational development.

Contact Information If you have questions about the application process or foundation policies, please contact Therese Ogle, Foundation Advisor, at OgleFounds@aol.com or 206-781-3472.