Grant Declination: RGK Foundation (BDPA Chicago)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Chicago chapter learned today that our letter of inquiry to the RGK Foundation was reviewed. Unfortunately, our request for support has been turned down by the folks at RGK Foundation.

The declination note read as follows:

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Thank you for submitting an electronic Letter of Inquiry to RGK Foundation. As a result of the number of inquiries we receive, RGK Foundation is unable to respond affirmatively to all requests. Although the proposed program is worthy, we regret that we are unable to consider a formal proposal at this time.

We appreciate the time and effort put forth in submitting the Letter of Inquiry information, and we wish you success in reaching your funding goals.
Please do not reply to this email address as it is auto generated and does not receive replies.

Very truly yours,
Gregory A. Kozmetsky, President

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BDPA Chicago is one of the most prolific chapters in the nation. BETF will continue to work with them to uncover funding from other nonprofit foundations. However, you can help ... let us know if you are aware of any nonprofit foundations or corporate foundations or folks with a high net worth who might be open to providing funding to support BDPA programs and services in Chicago or elsewhere. OK?

Letter of Inquiry * RGK Foundation (BDPA Chicago)

BDPA Chicago chapter and the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) agreed to submit a joint 'letter of inquiry' to RGK Foundation seeking $25,000 funding to support the 2011 SITES program in the greater Chicago area.

RGK Foundation awards grants for education-based programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education. We feel that the youth education programs put on by our Chicago chapter match nicely with this focus area.

There are no geographic restrictions to the Foundation's grant-making program and most grants are awarded for a one-year period. Click here to view listing of recent grants awarded by the Foundation.

We will keep BETF-Blog Readers updated on our progress with this potential funding source.

RGK Foundation

The RGK Foundation is an independent Foundation established in 1966 by Ronya and George Kozmetsky. For many years,the Foundation's primary focus was medical and educational research without geographical restriction.

The Foundation's focus has broadened over the years and now includes areas of Education, Community, and Medicine/Health. Interests within Education focus on formal after-school tutoring integrating technology into curriculum, teacher development, and higher education. Within Community, the Foundation supports a broad range of human development programs and community improvement programs.

My review of their website indicates the BDPA programs are most likely to fit into the 'Community' category.

RGK Foundation no longer accepts unsolicited grant proposals. All applicants must complete an electronic Letter of Inquiry as the first step. There is no deadline for submitting an electronic Letter of Inquiry. Foundation staff reviews electronic Letters of Inquiry on an ongoing basis and typically responds within two days, although the foundation asks that you allow up to two weeks for a response.

You can see the 2008 grant recipients on page 28 of their 990-tax return. This list gives an idea of the size of grant funding successfully rec'd by organizations in the past.


1301 W 25th St, Ste 300
Austin, TX 78705
(512) 474-9298
shaffey@rgkfoundation.org
Suzanne Haffey, Grants Associate

I encourage BDPA chapter leaders or national business area leaders to visit their website to see if they feel any synergy with RGK Foundation. If so, we can submit online letter of inquiry. BETF operates on a first-come, first-served basis. So, don't procrastinate with your online research!

Grant Declination: RGK Foundation

We learned last week that RGK Foundation declined our request for $15,000 grant in support of youth technology education programs hosted by the BDPA Philadelphia chapter.

Their declination note read as follows:

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Dear Mr. Hicks:

Thank you for submitting an electronic Letter of Inquiry to RGK Foundation. As a result of the number of inquiries we receive, RGK Foundation is unable to respond affirmatively to all requests. Although the proposed program is worthy, we regret that we are unable to consider a formal proposal at this time.

We appreciate the time and effort put forth in submitting the Letter of Inquiry information, and we wish you success in reaching your funding goals.

Very truly yours,
Gregory A. Kozmetsky, President
RGK Foundation

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We will keep seeking funding for our two-time defending 'BDPA Chapter of the Year'. You can help by making an online donation to the 'restricted' BDPA Philadelphia chapter fund today!

Letter of Inquiry * RGK Foundation

BDPA Philadelphia chapter and BDPA Foundation agreed to submit a joint 'letter of inquiry' to RGK Foundation seeking $15,000 funding to support the 2009 SITES program in the greater Philadelphia area.

RGK Foundation awards grants for education-based programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education. We feel that the youth education programs put on by our Philadelphia chapter match nicely with this focus area.

There are no geographic restrictions to the Foundation's grant-making program and most grants are awarded for a one-year period. Click here to view listing of recent grants awarded by the Foundation.

We will keep BETF-Blog Readers updated on our progress with this potential funding source.