Q: What is your average grant amount? 
A: The average grant was $28,643 in 2009, but in no sense should that be used to gauge the size of your request. We make a wide range of grants each year for projects of all sizes.

Q: We would like to apply for a grant. Can you tell us how much to request? 
A: No, we really can't. We suggest that you consider the size of the project to be funded and the current and potential resources available to support it. We would also like you to know that the Foundation prefers to participate with other donors in funding most projects, particularly substantial ones.

Q: If we are first-time applicants is there a good chance we will receive a grant? 
A: Yes. Roughly 9.5% of the grants in 2009 went to first-time applicants.

Q: Our organization would like to send you a thank you gift for the grant received. Is that alright? 
A: No gifts please! Occasionally, a grant recipient wishes to express gratitude with some tangible object like a plaque. Although we appreciate the sentiments behind these gestures, we ask that you not spend your resources giving thanks to us.

Q: How important is it that we establish our tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code? Is it enough that we have applied for our tax exemption status? 
A: We are unable to consider your request unless you have established your tax-exempt status with the Internal Revenue Service or you have exemption as a governmental or other publicly-funded entity. There are no exceptions.

Q: When are your grant application deadlines? 
A: We do not have application deadlines at The Collins Foundation. The trustees meet six times each year (February, April, June, August, October, and December) to make decisions on grant requests. We make every effort to stay current with the requests received. However, if your request is time sensitive, and you hope to submit a proposal in time for a particular trustee meeting, you should submit your proposal two to three months in advance. For example, if you hope to be considered in April, you should plan to submit your request in February; for consideration in June, you should submit in April, and so on. A complete description of the application process is available in the submission guidelines included on this website.