Grant Guidelines

The Pacific Foundation’s grantmaking is organized around four distinct yet interconnected themes: creative culture, the environment, social justice, and technology.

The Pacific Foundation is a private non-operating foundation with a small staff. It does not accept unsolicited proposals. Invited proposals are accepted throughout the year. There is no application form; however, the New York Common Application Form may be used. Organizations seeking funds are asked not to make telephone inquiries, but to submit a brief letter outlining the project, its aims, budget, amount requested, and other funding sources, as well as a description of the organization and its current budget. Letters should be addressed to:

Emma Canarick
Program Officer
The Pacific Foundation
285 Lafayette Street, 8A
New York, New York 10012

Every proposal or inquiry is acknowledged in writing. If the proposal is one the Foundation is able to consider, more detailed information will be requested. Where feasible, a meeting or site visit will be arranged. Proposals are acted on by the Board of Directors, which meets semi-annually, in May and November.

Grants are made only to federally tax-exempt, non-profit organizations. Generally, they are for a one-year period. Grants are rarely made to endowment funds and capital campaigns. The Foundation does not make loans and cannot provide emergency funds.

Funding of new proposals is limited by ongoing commitments and fiscal constraints.

Grantees are expected to submit interim reports within six to eight months after receipt of a grant award. A final report is also recommended at the end of the grant period.

Grants are not automatically renewed. Requests for renewal must be made in writing and are considered on the basis of reports received, site visits, and the Foundation's priorities and availability of funds.

We encourage potential grantees to review our program areas and philanthropic priorities before submission of a request.