The Covenant
Grants

How to Apply 1: The Letter of Inquiry

How to Apply for a Covenant Grant

Please be sure that you have read all of the information under “About Our Grants” before proceeding.

Letters of Inquiry that fall outside The Covenant Foundation’s parameters for funding will not be considered.

Part 1. Letter of Inquiry

The process begins with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which has four parts: a cover sheet, a brief description of the proposed project, an approximate budget, and a narrative budget statement. The description of the proposed project should not exceed 700 words on 8 ½” x 11” double-spaced, typed pages, using 12-point Times New Roman font with 1” margins. The pages must be numbered. This cover sheet is generated using the information you provide to us in the LOI Application Form (under step 4), and is emailed to you with your confirmation of submission.

The LOI must be submitted via our online portal. The applicant should review all guidelines thoroughly before submitting it online. Online applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 without exception. Please note that application materials received after the above-mentioned deadline will not be considered.

Instructions for preparing the three parts of the Letter of Inquiry are as follows:

1. Cover Sheet. The first part of the LOI is a cover sheet containing the following background information, which the applicant creates by completing the online form in step 4. You will receive an email confirmation, which includes your downloadable cover sheet once you have submitted your application. Please note, if you are experiencing difficulties receiving the confirmation email, it may have been flagged as “spam” or “junk.” We ask that as a first course of action, you check these folders prior to reaching out to the Foundation for assistance.
   • Most current name, mailing address, telephone numbers, website, and approximate annual operating budget of the applying institution. Please note that this is the contact information we will use to contact the Project Director for the duration of the grant process
   • Note: If you will be using a Fiscal Sponsor, you must provide information from the Fiscal Sponsor indicating that the agency is committed to serving in this capacity for the length of the grant as well as the name and email address of the individual there who will serve as point person. This information must be received by the Foundation in the form of a letter of intent from the Fiscal Sponsor agency. When submitting your grant application materials, please include this letter among them.
   • Name of the person who will serve as the Project Director and the email address where he or she can be reached. This person will be responsible for all correspondence with the Foundation.
   • Proposed project information:
     • Type of grant (Signature or Ignition)
     • Length of grant
     • Dollar amount of grant
   • Title of the proposed project. If there is no official title at this time, please create a tentative title.
   • One sentence that explains what the organization hopes to accomplish with a Covenant Grant: “[name of institution] requests $[x] over [x] years to fund [or support, disseminate, create, expand]…[x].”
   • A brief description of the institution running the program.
   • Name of Authorized Person: The person from your organization who is authorized to approve the submission, such as the Executive Director or the Principal of a school.
2. Brief Description of Proposed Program. The second part of the LOI consists of a brief description of the proposed program, which should not exceed 700 words. This description must include the following:
   • The need in the Jewish community addressed by the project.
   • Any work your organization has done previously to address this need (e.g. pilot projects or other exploratory activities).
   • What will be done during the course of the project, who will do it, and in what order. Include specific activities (i.e. recruitment, hiring, marketing, courses, sessions, or curriculum development).
   • Target audience for the project.
   • How the proposed project differs from existing ones and represents an innovation in current practice.
   • The specific results or outcomes of your project (i.e. the changes you hope will occur among the target audience of this project), and how these intended outcomes flow logically from your project design.
3. Budget Estimate. The third part of the LOI consists of an approximate budget. In order for an application to be considered, the Signature and Ignition budget templates provided by the Foundation must be used. Please divide costs into per-year expenditures and list them under the following categories: “Personnel,” “Consultants,” “Supplies,” and “Other.” The budget should explain which portions of the project would be paid for using Covenant Grant funds and it should include an estimate of other proposed sources of income to support the program including in-kind support. Budget Estimate Templates can be downloaded here: Signature and Ignition. Sample budget for Signature and Ignition Grants can be downloaded here: Signature and Ignition
4. Narrative Budget Statement. The fourth part of the LOI is the Narrative Budget Statement which explains how you arrived at each projected figure as it relates to the proposed activities. Please reference specific line items in your completed Budget Estimate Form. A sample Narrative Budget Statement is included with documents available for the preparation of the LOI. The crafting of the Narrative Budget Statement will enhance your understanding of the real costs associated with your project.

The Covenant Foundation does not review draft proposals. However, our staff is available to answer questions regarding eligibility and to provide limited feedback on project design. Please feel free to contact us at grants@covenantfn.org, or by calling 212-245-3500.

To submit an LOI, go to step 4: LOI Application Form. To read the guidelines for preparing a Full Proposal, go to step 3: How to Apply 2: Full Proposal.

How to Apply 2: The Full Proposal

How to Apply for a Covenant Grant

Part 2. Full Proposal 

By mid-March 2024, The Covenant Foundation Grants Selection Committee will invite those applicants whose letters are judged to be most promising to submit Full Proposals. The Full Proposal must be submitted via our online portal only by 5:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Full Proposals for Ignition or Signature Grants should include the following:

1. Cover Sheet. The cover sheet for the Full Proposal is based on the cover sheet for the Letter of Inquiry, but also contains additional information. The first page should be submitted on the organization’s letterhead. The cover sheet should be 2-3 pages long in total. Applicants should begin by copying the following information from the cover sheet of their Letter of Inquiry and making any necessary corrections:
   • The name, EIN number, mailing address, and telephone number of the Applying Organization.
   • The name, EIN number, mailing address, and telephone number of the Fiscal Sponsor Agency (if applicable).
   • The name of the Point Person from the Fiscal Sponsor (if applicable) and the telephone number and email address where he or she can be reached.
   • The name of the Project Director, position, email address and the telephone number where he or she can be reached. This is the contact information we will use to contact the Project Director for the duration of the grant process.
   • The type of grant being requested (Ignition or Signature).
   • The length of grant being requested.
   • Dollar Amount being requested.
   • The title of the proposed project.
   • One sentence that explains what the organization hopes to accomplish with a Covenant Grant: “[name of institution] requests $[x] over [x] years to fund [or support, disseminate, create, expand]…. [x].” Please make sure that the total dollar amount matches the “Amount Requested from The Covenant Foundation” on the Project Budget Form.
   • A brief description of the institution where the program will be housed. Please add a brief description of any partnering organization that will be critical to the completion of this project.
   • Name of Authorized Person: The person from your organization who is authorized to approve the submission, such as the Executive Director or the Principal of a school.
     

   Below this information, the applicant should add:

   • An approximate annual operating budget for this institution.
   • The dates of the requested grant period: “from [month, year] to [month, year].” Please note that Covenant Grants commence January 1, 2025.
   • The estimated number of participants involved in the program during the grant period.
   • A brief abstract of the proposal. In 3-5 short paragraphs, please provide the following:
     • Need addressed by the project
     • Target population
     • Summary of the project, including the proposed activities
     • Intended outcomes (i.e., the changes you expect to see in the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the target population as a result of the project)
     • Staff/leadership of the project
     • Planned partnerships with other organizations or communities, if any
     • List of other Foundations from which you are currently seeking funding, if any

   Please be diligent in your preparation of this document. It will be used by The Covenant Foundation as a distillation of your proposal.

2. Narrative. The narrative portion of the Signature Grant Full Proposal should not exceed ten 8 ½” x 11″ double-spaced typed pages, using 12-point. Times New Roman font with 1″ margins. The narrative portion of the Ignition Grant full proposal should not exceed five 8 ½” x 11″ double-spaced typed pages using 12-point. Times New Roman font with 1″ margins. Please complete your proposals using the following outlines for Signature and Ignition Grants respectively.

For the narrative portion of a Covenant Signature Grant Full Proposals please use the following outline:

• Statement of Need. Describe the specific issue or concern that your proposed project is responding to, including a description of the population that is most impacted by this issue. Why is addressing this need a priority for your organization?
  • Statements of need must be supported by consideration of available research. Where possible, applicants should provide statistical or numerical data. Avoid using conjecture or opinion, though first-hand observations and experiences that support the research may be included.
• Previous Work to Address Need. What work has your organization previously done in this area? Have there been any pilot projects or other exploratory activities?
• Description of the Project. What, specifically, will be done during the course of the project, who will do it, and in what order? If you have done previous work (as described above) how does this project expand upon that work or add other new dimensions to your organization? Include specific activities (i.e. recruitment, hiring, marketing, courses, sessions, or curriculum development). Most importantly, why have you chosen these particular activities – how will the project as constructed respond to the issue outlined in your statement of need?
• Project Timeline. Include a timeline for the proposed project with approximate dates, deliverables, major activities, and milestones.
• Intended Outcomes. Describe the specific, measurable, attainable results or outcomes of the proposed project. What changes do you hope will occur for the target population of this project? One framework you may wish to use (but are not required to use) to describe your outcomes is that of the “Four C’s” – indicating changes in:
  • Capabilities: skills, knowledge, and human capital
  • Cognition: beliefs, values, and worldview
  • Confidence: feelings of self-efficacy
  • Connections: relationships, networks, and social capital
• Be sure to explain how the intended outcomes flow logically from your project design – how will your proposed project activities bring about the changes you hope to see?
• Innovation. Explain, using concrete examples, the innovative aspects of your proposed project and how it differs from similar existing programs. In what way does the proposed project represent an innovation in current practice? What are the unique elements of the project’s setting, methodology, pedagogy and/or target audience?
• Significance. In what ways does your proposed project:
  • Fill an important gap in Jewish education today?
  • Expand the boundaries of what we consider “Jewish education?”
  • Use Jewish content and wisdom in compelling and creative ways?
• Contribution to the Field. Describe the potential contributions of the project to the field of Jewish education. If the project is successful, how might other Jewish educational institutions and organizations benefit from your experience in ways that would enable them to improve their own programs? Thinking even bigger, if this project were to be widely adapted in other communities and/or nationally, how would the North American Jewish community be significantly and sustainably impacted?
• Staff. List the project staff and institutions involved, including any outside partnering institutions.
• Organizational Capacity. Describe and provide evidence of your organization’s ability to execute the proposed project.

1. For the narrative portion of a Covenant Ignition Grant Full Proposals please use the following outline:

• Statement of Need. Describe the specific issue or concern that your proposed project is responding to, including a description of the population that is most impacted by this issue Why is addressing this need a priority for your organization? Statements of need must be supported by consideration of available research. Where possible, applicants should provide statistical or numerical data. Avoid using conjecture or opinion, though first-hand observations and experiences that support the research may be included.
• Description of the Project. What, specifically, will be done during the course of the project, who will do it, and in what order? Include specific activities (i.e. recruitment, hiring, marketing, courses, sessions, or curriculum development). Most importantly, why have you chosen these particular activities – how will the project as constructed respond to the issue outlined in your statement of need?
• Project Timeline. Include a timeline for the proposed project with approximate dates, outcomes, deliverables, major activities, and milestones.
• Innovation.  Explain, using concrete examples, the innovative aspects of the proposed project and how it differs from similar existing programs. In what way does the proposed project represent an innovation in current practice? What are the unique elements of the project’s setting, methodology, pedagogy and/or target audience?
• Ignition Rationale. What will the proposed work ignite? The narrative should explain how this grant will serve as a catalyst for further work that you are considering and/or already planning.
• Learning. Explain what you envision learning from this Ignition Grant. What are some of the “burning questions” you have about the need the project addresses or population it reaches? How will you use the project to explore these questions?
• Staff. List the project staff and institutions involved, including any outside partnering institutions.
• Organizational Capacity. Describe and provide evidence for the applicant’s ability to execute the proposed project.

1. Staff Information. Please attach a brief résumé or CV for each key member of the project staff that includes:
   • Name
   • Current position in the organization (or partnering organization)
   • Education
   • Last three professional positions held
   • Community service, including dates performed
   • Awards, including dates received
   • Listing of up to three recent publications
2. Appendix. Applicants may submit an appendix with information about their organization’s history and record in the area of the proposed project. The appendix should not exceed ten 8 ½” x 11″ pages.
3. Project Budget. Applicants who are invited to submit Full Proposals must complete the Foundation’s Full Proposal Budget Form. The project budget must supply details of expenditures for salaries, supplies, travel, etc. Please note that the Foundation’s fiscal year runs from January to December. The Foundation does not fund evaluation, scholarships, or overhead. Please feel free to contact us with questions about completing the Budget Form by emailing grants@covenantfn.org or calling 212-245-3500.
4. Narrative Budget Statement. The Narrative Budget Statement should explain the basis used to estimate all costs and how the major items requested relate to the proposed project activities. Please reference specific line items in your completed Full Proposal Budget Form. A sample Narrative Budget Statement is included with documents available for the preparation of the Full Proposal.
5. Audited Financial Statement. Please submit a copy of the institution’s two most recent years’ audited financial statements.
6. Financial Statement Form. Please submit a copy of a brief financial review of the sponsoring organization, based on the audited financial statement. Please use the Financial Statement Form that is included with the Covenant Full Proposal Budget Form, following the instructions in that document.
7. IRS Tax Exemption Letter. Please submit a copy of the IRS tax exemption letter or another document showing the institution’s tax identification number indicating that the institution is exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not classified as a private foundation under section 509(a) of the Code. Canadian applicants must supply proof of nonprofit status from Revenue Canada.
   
   Important notes on formatting and submitting your proposal:

• All pages submitted, aside from the proposed Project Budget and Financial Statement Form, must be numbered.

Review of Full Proposals

During the review process, members of the Covenant Foundation staff may visit prospective institutions to discuss aspects of the proposed program. The Foundation staff might also ask for additional materials to supplement your proposal. The Executive Director of The Covenant Foundation will advise all applicants of the final determinations in late December 2024.