Our Grantmaking Practices
Walder Foundation’s grantmaking is primarily by invitation only. We fund organizations identified by staff that align with the strategies defined in our program areas. Unfortunately, we are unable to review unsolicited proposals at this time. If the Foundation has open opportunities for funding, they will be announced on our website.
OUR FUNDING AREAS
The Foundation supports projects and organizations that align with our strategies in the following program areas:
Migration and Immigrant Communities
OUR FUNDING GOALS
Across all of our program areas, the Walder Foundation supports organizations that:
Align with our mission.
Focus on results-oriented outcomes.
Embrace collaboration.
Demonstrate creativity and innovation.
Leverage partners and resources to maximize impact.
Work to advance racial and gender equity.
Examples of what we fund
Programs or project-based work
Capacity building
Direct services
Technical assistance
General operating
Examples of what we don’t fund
Lobbying groups or political campaigns
Individuals
Fundraising activities
Scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate studies
OUR PROCESS
Application review and due diligence
Sometimes, the Foundation requires a two-step application process: a letter of inquiry and a full proposal. Funds are typically awarded 5-6 months after receiving an LOI or proposal.
Invited applicants must complete an online application. Note that some applications, such as research, require information not shown in the standard application. View a sample of our standard application.
Letters of inquiry are reviewed by the program officer for the related funding area. If you are invited to submit a proposal, it will be reviewed by the program officer, the chief financial officer, and the Foundation’s president and executive director. In some cases, proposals may be reviewed by external subject matter experts or advisors. Final approvals for grants are at the discretion of the Foundation’s president and executive director.
As part of Walder Foundation’s due diligence, organizations invited to submit a proposal may also be asked to host a site visit or participate in an interview the Foundation’s president and executive director. Site visits and interviews are used to better understand the organization, including its financial health, governance, key program staff, and board leadership. The Foundation seeks to learn about the various organizations in the sectors we support as we continue to evolve our interests and strategies. An invitation to apply for a grant (or participate in site visits or interviews) is not a guarantee of funding. While every effort is made to minimize the amount of time that applicants spend in the application process, we hope a more extensive engagement with grantees and potential grantees will lead to more impactful grantmaking.
About the information we collect in grant applications
Walder Foundation is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion and encourages applicants from underrepresented backgrounds or whose work improves the lives of those from underrepresented backgrounds. In support of this commitment, the Foundation may request demographic information. We intend to use this information to better understand the work we are funding, how well we are reaching our intended communities, and to evaluate our own practices to support organizations and projects that demonstrate equity and diversity. View a sample demographics form.
Defining how we recognize DEI in our work is an ongoing process for all of us, including Walder Foundation. Organizations will not be disqualified from an application process based solely on responses to questions on demographics. But by asking these questions and tracking this information, we communicate our intention to be equitable and inclusive in our grantmaking practices.
We take care to protect personal or identifiable information. Please read our privacy policy for information on how we store and distribute demographic information.
Grant renewals
A majority of our grants are project-based and not typically considered for renewal. Similarly, the Foundation may participate in collaborative funds or initiatives with one-time contributions. Multi-year grants are not available in all program areas. Grants approved for renewal may still require full applications, interviews, or site visits.
As we refine our strategies and get to know the organizations in the sectors we support, our grantmaking practices may evolve accordingly. Any changes to our grantmaking practices will be shared on our website.
UPDATED: NOVEMBER 2021