FAQ |
Who is eligible to apply for a grant from the Leonian Foundation?
Does the Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
First-time applicants are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry before applying. Previously-funded organizations applying for a new project are also required to submit an LOI.
Letters of inquiry may be sent to Jaclyn Miller via the Contact Form.
May I submit multiple proposals for consideration?
No. Each applicant may submit one proposal per grant cycle.
How often does the Board meet to review proposals?
The Board meets once a year (in May) to determine grantees.
What is the funding timeline?
Grants are awarded on an annual basis. The submissions portal opens January 1st and closes March 15th. Late applications will not be accepted.
Grantees will be notified by June 1st. Funds will be sent one to two weeks after notification.
NOTE: Proposals for projects that begin prior to June 1st of the grant year will not be considered. Proposals for Exhibitions that open before October 1st of the grant year will also not be considered.
What are the typical award amounts?
Grants awarded to organizations typically range from $5,000-25,000.
Grants awarded to applicants with a fiscal sponsor range from $1,000-15,000.
The Foundation is unlikely to fund the entire cost of a project or program; all applicants are encouraged to seek funding from a variety of sources. The Foundation reserves the right to grant an amount other than that requested.
What does the Foundation fund?
The Leonian Foundation funds projects and programs related to the education, preservation, and dissemination of photography. These include, but are not limited to: education programs for K-12 students or adults; professional development programs such as workshops, fellowships, internships, mentorships, and artist residencies; archiving and/or cataloging of photographic collections; exhibitions with budgets under $50,000; community documentary photography projects; and personal photography projects.
What are the Foundation’s priorities?
The Foundation prioritizes educational programs of all levels. Unique, well-conceived programs that raise awareness of and appreciation for photography, and those that bring photography into a community, are highly valued. Programs with a proven track record that maintain connections with and utilize alumni are also of special interest.
What does the Foundation NOT fund?
How do I apply?
All new applicants (and previous awardees applying for a new project or program) must submit a Letter of Inquiry to Jaclyn Miller via the Contact Form.
If you are eligible or have received confirmation that you may apply, you must first create an account on Submittable.com (click the “Apply” tab on the website). See “Application Information” for the list of required documents, and download the guidelines on the same page.
If you experience any issues with the online form, contact the Submittable support team.
What happens if I am awarded a Leonian Foundation grant?
The Leonian Foundation will inform you of the award via the Submittable platform. An official award letter and check will be mailed within two weeks of notification.
Grant recipients are required to submit two reports (interim and final). Due dates will be specified in your grant letter. Final reports must include documentation of use of funds, a budget listing actual expenses, sample photographs, and copies of promotional materials.
What happens if I do not receive funding?
You will be notified via the Submittable platform. The official letter will be included there as an attachment.
NOTE: It is our policy to not provide feedback on applications that have been denied funding. Our office staff is very small and we cannot accommodate such requests.
What should we do if there is staff turnover in our organization?
Please inform the Leonian Foundation as soon as possible of any changes that affect the funded project or program, including changes in executive director, project director, teaching artists, timeline, scope, etc.
If the person who submitted your application on Submittable leaves your organization, you must update your organization’s contact information on Submittable to ensure that you receive our grant award notifications and communications. If assistance is needed in this regard, contact the Submittable support team.
Who is eligible to apply for a grant from the Leonian Foundation?
- 501(c)(3) organizations based in the United States that are focused on photography and/or photography education
- Individuals (U.S. citizens/permanent residents) or organizations working with a fiscal sponsor within the United States
Does the Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
First-time applicants are required to submit a Letter of Inquiry before applying. Previously-funded organizations applying for a new project are also required to submit an LOI.
Letters of inquiry may be sent to Jaclyn Miller via the Contact Form.
May I submit multiple proposals for consideration?
No. Each applicant may submit one proposal per grant cycle.
How often does the Board meet to review proposals?
The Board meets once a year (in May) to determine grantees.
What is the funding timeline?
Grants are awarded on an annual basis. The submissions portal opens January 1st and closes March 15th. Late applications will not be accepted.
Grantees will be notified by June 1st. Funds will be sent one to two weeks after notification.
NOTE: Proposals for projects that begin prior to June 1st of the grant year will not be considered. Proposals for Exhibitions that open before October 1st of the grant year will also not be considered.
What are the typical award amounts?
Grants awarded to organizations typically range from $5,000-25,000.
Grants awarded to applicants with a fiscal sponsor range from $1,000-15,000.
The Foundation is unlikely to fund the entire cost of a project or program; all applicants are encouraged to seek funding from a variety of sources. The Foundation reserves the right to grant an amount other than that requested.
What does the Foundation fund?
The Leonian Foundation funds projects and programs related to the education, preservation, and dissemination of photography. These include, but are not limited to: education programs for K-12 students or adults; professional development programs such as workshops, fellowships, internships, mentorships, and artist residencies; archiving and/or cataloging of photographic collections; exhibitions with budgets under $50,000; community documentary photography projects; and personal photography projects.
What are the Foundation’s priorities?
The Foundation prioritizes educational programs of all levels. Unique, well-conceived programs that raise awareness of and appreciation for photography, and those that bring photography into a community, are highly valued. Programs with a proven track record that maintain connections with and utilize alumni are also of special interest.
What does the Foundation NOT fund?
- organizations without 501(c)(3) status
- individuals without fiscal sponsors
- projects that support the work of non-U.S. citizens/residents
- publications
- film, video, or motion picture projects
- exhibitions with budgets over $50,000
- academic lectures, symposia, colloquia, or seminars
- projects that begin prior to June 1st of the grant year
- exhibitions that begin prior to October 1st of the grant year
- general operating expenses
- salaries or allocations of salaries
- administrative costs
- capital campaigns
- multi-year grants (grant recipients are welcome to reapply each year, if eligible)
How do I apply?
All new applicants (and previous awardees applying for a new project or program) must submit a Letter of Inquiry to Jaclyn Miller via the Contact Form.
If you are eligible or have received confirmation that you may apply, you must first create an account on Submittable.com (click the “Apply” tab on the website). See “Application Information” for the list of required documents, and download the guidelines on the same page.
If you experience any issues with the online form, contact the Submittable support team.
What happens if I am awarded a Leonian Foundation grant?
The Leonian Foundation will inform you of the award via the Submittable platform. An official award letter and check will be mailed within two weeks of notification.
Grant recipients are required to submit two reports (interim and final). Due dates will be specified in your grant letter. Final reports must include documentation of use of funds, a budget listing actual expenses, sample photographs, and copies of promotional materials.
What happens if I do not receive funding?
You will be notified via the Submittable platform. The official letter will be included there as an attachment.
NOTE: It is our policy to not provide feedback on applications that have been denied funding. Our office staff is very small and we cannot accommodate such requests.
What should we do if there is staff turnover in our organization?
Please inform the Leonian Foundation as soon as possible of any changes that affect the funded project or program, including changes in executive director, project director, teaching artists, timeline, scope, etc.
If the person who submitted your application on Submittable leaves your organization, you must update your organization’s contact information on Submittable to ensure that you receive our grant award notifications and communications. If assistance is needed in this regard, contact the Submittable support team.