Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any geographic limitations?
The primary geographical focus is on the San Francisco Bay Area (counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo) and Hawaii.
If I am a national organization and have a project within the Foundation’s geographical areas of focus, can I apply?
Yes.
What does the Gerbode Foundation not fund?
The Foundation generally does not support the following:
Documentary or full-length films
International projects
Direct services
Buildings or equipment
Capital campaigns
Endowments
Private Schools
Scholarships
Sponsorships
Grants to individuals
How often does your Board meet?
The Foundation’s trustees generally meet four times a year, once every quarter.
Is there an application deadline?
The Foundation’s general grantmaking does not have any deadlines; however, if you are applying to the Special Awards program, you can find the program guidelines and deadlines here.
Are you accepting LOIs during the Executive Transition?
Unfortunately, we have paused our Letter of Inquiry process while we undergo an executive transition. Click here to be added to the Foundation’s announcement list to be notified of future updates.
How long is the review process for my full proposal?
Full proposals are reviewed and calendared for discussion and decision by the Board on a quarterly basis.
How much can I ask for? What is the average size of your grants?
The grants generally range from $2,500 to $100,000, depending on the scope of the project, whether it clearly fits within the Foundation’s programmatic priorities, and other internal factors that influence our funding decisions. An average size grant is $25,000.