The Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation has altered its funding strategy and is issuing new guidelines for its 2012 grant cycle.

Instead of funding specific programs that fall into select areas of focus, the foundation will now make general operating fund grants to organizations who are best aligned with the foundation’s general guidelines and funding strategy.

“We will be looking to fund those organizations whose mission, staff and board are most effectively addressing key needs in the communities we wish to impact” says board president, Anne Keir.  “We believe that we can be most impactful by selecting well run organizations that are clearly and effectively focused on the communities and issues we have identified as a priority and then provide them with general operating funds to carry out their mission.”

The foundation’s new guidelines and funding strategy are as follows:

The Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation funds in the areas we live: Orange County, California and the state of Hawaii.  We care about reaching into communities that have been traditionally underserved, with a focus on women and/or children and youth.   We are interested in supporting 501(c)(3) organizations that strive to address root causes of issues that impact individual and/or community well-being.  We are especially interested in supporting efforts that aim to engage and bring greater voice to important issues and result in improved community outcomes.  Our grants are generally for unrestricted operating funds to support the core work of the organizations we choose to fund.

If your organization falls in line with our new Grant Guidelines and has received an award from us in the past, you will automatically be considered as a possible candidate to apply for a grant and we will notify you no later than July 13, 2012 if you are chosen to apply. You are not required to submit an LOI.

If your organization falls in line with our new Grant Guidelines and has never applied or you have previously applied but failed to receive a grant, please submit an LOI (guidelines available on our website www.swaynefoundation.org) no later than May 25, 2012.  Your LOI will be considered with the other possible candidates and you will be notified no later than July 13, 2012 if you are chosen to apply for a grant.

In 2012 the foundation anticipates the average grant will be in the range of $15,000 to $20,000.

Being asked to submit a grant application offers no assurance that a grant will be awarded.  The number of grants made is limited to the funds available for grants in the 2012 grant cycle and is at the discretion of the board in assessing the alignment of the grant applicants mission and effectiveness with the foundation’s funding criteria.

If there are questions regarding the guidelines or the grant cycle for 2012 please refer to our website www.swaynefoundation.org or contact Lauren Lloyd, Administrative Assistant  info@swaynefoundation.org.