Grant Declination: Rhode Island Foundation (BDPA Rhode Island)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with BDPA Rhode Island chapter (president, Tiffany Wiggins) to submit a $10,000 grant proposal to The Rhode Island Foundation. If approved, the grant would provide partial funding for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in Providence, RI.

Unfortunately, our grant proposal was declined. The declination letter read as follows:

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Mrs. Jeanette James
Rhode Island Chapter President

Dear Ms. James:

On behalf of The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund, I would like to acknowledge receive of the request submitted by your organization.

Please be assured that the fund advisors carefully reviewed your request before reaching the decision that they are unable to provide financial support at this time. The Providence Journal Charitable Legacy Fund recognizes the outstanding that your organization provides to our community.

Best wishes for continued success in your mission to serve our community.

Sincerely,
Carol Golden
On behalf of the fund's advisors
Senior Philanthropic Advisor
Rhode Island Foundation

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BETF will continue to aggressively pursue funding for all 46 local BDPA chapters. However, God loves the child who has his own ... so we encourage you to support BDPA scholarship programs by making a secure online donation.

Grant Declination: Cisco Foundation (BDPA Atlanta)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with BDPA Atlanta chapter (president, Victor Montgomery) to submit a $15,000 grant proposal to the Cisco Foundation. If approved, the grant would provide partial funding for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in Atlanta, GA.

Unfortunately, our grant proposal was declined. The declination letter read as follows:

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Dear Wayne,

Thank you for submitting an Initial Information Form for your program titled "Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program" to Cisco for funding consideration.

We have carefully completed an evaluation of the Initial Information Form you submitted. While we recognize the value of your program and applaud your contributions, we are unable to invite you to submit a formal proposal for consideration.

We hope you will consider other Programs which may assist your organization:

1) You can find more information about our product grant program including program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and how to apply at http://csr.cisco.com/pages/product-grant-program

2) For matching gifts and volunteer matching please contact volunteers at your organization that are Cisco employees to find out how you can qualify as well as http://csr.cisco.com/pages/employee-volunteers

3) Techsoup.org: The technology place for non-profits: www.techsoup.org

Broadly, our social investment strategy focuses on three areas where our products, services, and employees can make a lasting impact: Critical Human Needs and Disaster Relief, Education, and Economic Empowerment. Our approach encourages innovation to create technology-based solutions that are replicable, scalable, and sustainable. To achieve our objectives, we partner with organizations around the world that share our values and align with our focus areas. A list of our community partners can be found at http://csr.cisco.com/pages/community-partners.

Please accept our best wishes for success as you continue to provide your services.

Sincerely,
Cisco Public Benefit Investment Grant Evaluation Team

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BETF will continue to aggressively pursue funding for all 46 local BDPA chapters. However, God loves the child who has his own ... so we encourage you to support BDPA scholarship programs by making a secure online donation.

Grant Declination: Walmart Community Grant Request (BDPA Greater Tampa Bay)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with BDPA Greater Tampa Bay chapter (president, Andrea Johnson) to submit a $2,500 grant proposal to the Walmart Community Grant Request. If approved, the grant would provide partial funding for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in Tampa, FL.

Unfortunately, our grant proposal was declined. The declination letter read as follows:

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Thank you for submitting a request, Request ID 38527597, to facility #3197 for a grant through the Walmart Community Grant Program. Your grant request was not selected for funding at this time.

The Community Grant Program is a competitive application. On average, we receive more than 150,000 applications from more than 65,000 local organizations striving to improve their communities each year. A number of variables may influence each funding decision. Common reasons grants may be declined include lack of: alignment with our focus areas, local connection with the store, program timing, limited resources and clarity of programmatic work within the facility community.

Thank you again for your interest in the Walmart Community Grant Program. We appreciate your efforts to help people live better and wish you success in your future endeavors. If you would like to learn more about all of Walmart’s giving programs, we encourage you to visit http://giving.walmart.com.

Sincerely,
The Walmart Community Grants Team

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BETF will continue to aggressively pursue funding for all 46 local BDPA chapters. However, God loves the child who has his own ... so we encourage you to support BDPA scholarship programs by making a secure online donation

Grant Declination: L Brands Foundation (BDPA New York)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) works hard to seek out grant funds to support BDPA programs on a local and national level. Sometimes we are successful, however, more often than not we get turned down. We share the information with you in either case. It is part of our commitment to be transparent to our donors and supporters.

BETF and BDPA New York worked together on a $5,000 grant proposal that we submitted late last year to the L Brands Foundation. We were disappointed to learn that our request has been turned down.

Here is the declination message that we received:

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Dear Mr. Hicks,

Your request to support the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program of the New York Chapter has been received by L Brands Foundation. Because the level of community need far exceeds the funds available for grant-making, the Foundation faces many difficult choices. Unfortunately, your request was not fulfilled because it was not competitive against the other applications received or did not fit within our philanthropic focus outlined on our website. Thank you for your interest in L Brands Foundation and thank you for your efforts to improve your community.

Sincerely,
Janelle N. Coleman
President

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BETF will continue to seek out funding sources that will smile favorably on our request for funds. Let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions...

Grant Declination * New York Life Foundation (BDPA New York)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) works hard to seek out grant funds to support BDPA programs on a local and national level. Sometimes we are successful, however, more often than not we get turned down. We share the information with you in either case. It is part of our commitment to be transparent to our donors and supporters.

BETF and BDPA New York worked together on a $5,000 grant proposal that we submitted late last year to the New York Life Foundation. We were disappointed to learn that our request has been turned down.

Here is the declination message that we received:

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Dear Mr. Hicks,

Your organization does not fit the Foundation's focus or geographical area.

Furthermore, we don’t accept unsolicited requests.

However, there may be an opportunity for funding through the Educational Grant Program "Aim High," which the Foundation funds. Click here for details of the program, application and contact info for questions: https://www.newyorklife.com/foundation/afterschool-alliance.

I've also included a FAQ sheet for your information.

Best of luck in finding the funding you're seeking.

Denise Zayas, Office Manager
New York Life Foundation

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BETF will continue to seek out funding sources that will smile favorably on our request for funds. Let us know if you have any thoughts or suggestions...

Grant Declination: Ameren Services (BDPA St. Louis)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA St. Louis chapter had our grant proposal declined by Ameren Services. We had sought $5,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

Ameren Service corporate contributions and community initiatives director wrote,

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Thank you for recently submitting a contribution request to Ameren. We appreciate hearing about the many dedicated people who are trying to help other people in the community.

But, like all companies, Ameren must set limits on the funds it contributes to not-for-profit organizations, even for the most worthwhile projects. Much as we would like to, we cannot support every good, solid not-for-profit organization in our service area. Nor can we respond positively to every request for financial support.

I’m sorry we cannot fulfill your request for a contribution, but wish you great success with your fundraising efforts.

Sincerely,
Brian K. Leonard Sr.
Director, Corporate Contributions and
Community Initiatives

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BETF is willing to work with any of the 47 local BDPA chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Grant Declination: Waste Management Charitable Foundation (BDPA Detroit)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Detroit chapter had our grant proposal declined by Waste Management Charitable Foundation. We had sought $5,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

Waste Management wrote us:

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Hello Wayne,

Thank you for extending the invitation to Waste Management to be involved with Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. We truly appreciate you taking time to reach out to us.

We receive thousands of requests a year from qualified causes, and unfortunately, we are not able to fund all of them. Although your effort is of great value to the community, we are not able to participate at this time.

Thank you for the work you do and best wishes!

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BETF is willing to work with BDPA Detroit and the other 45 chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Grant Declination: Johnson Scholarship Foundation (BDPA Greater Tampa Bay)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Greater Tampa Bay chapter had our grant proposal declined by Johnson Scholarship Foundation. We had sought $5,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

Sharon Wood, program officer wrote,

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Thank you for your Letter of Inquiry expressing interest in making a proposal for a grant from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation. Our LOI review committee has read this request, and, while we applaud your efforts to provide education and technology programs, regretfully, we must decline the Foundation's participation.

I regret that we are unable to extend support. I do, however, wish you every success and hope you will be able to secure the funding you need for your endeavors.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Sharon L. Wood, Program Officer
Johnson Scholarship Foundation
505 South Flagler Drive Suite 810
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401

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BETF is willing to work with BDPA Greater Tampa Bay and the other 45 chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Grant Declination: Bader Philanthropies (BDPA Milwaukee)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Milwaukee chapter had our grant proposal declined by Bader Philanthropies. We had sought $10,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

Daniel Bader, president and CEO, wrote,

Dear Mr. Hicks:

On behalf of Bader Philanthropies, thank you for your recent application. Our Program Committee has had the opportunity to review your inquiry, but unfortunately we are not able to consider your request for funding at this time. Although your objectives may be worthy, please understand that the Foundation’s giving is limited, which means we can only consider a fraction of the requests received in light of the tremendous level of need in the communities we aim to serve.

If you should have any questions, please contact Kristen Lie, Grants Manager, at 414-755-4365 or kristen@bader.org.

We appreciate the time and effort organizations put into their applications and wish you the very best of luck in your work.

Sincerely,
Daniel J. Bader
President and CEO
Bader Philanthropies, Inc

BETF is willing to work with BDPA Milwaukee and the other 45 chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Grant Declination: SAS Institute (BDPA Triangle)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Triangle chapter had our grant proposal declined by SAS Institute.   We had sought $15,000 for the 2018 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

We were informed by Dawn Leister, SAS community relations specialist who wrote,

Good afternoon Mr. Hicks,

Thank you for taking the time to submit a donation application to SAS requesting $15,000 for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in the Triangle.

While STEM education in the classroom is one of our philanthropic focus areas, we are moving more to policy related efforts in early learning, in particular, as they relate to third grade literacy proficiency. With that said, our funding is limited - there are many strong programs in the Triangle area, and we wish we could support them all. However, we are fully committed to our current education partners. While this program is truly worthy - and we appreciate the opportunity to partner – we are unable to provide funding.

Although we cannot support BDPA and the SITES program, we do wish you all the best. Thank you for making such a difference in the lives of so many.

Sincerely,
Dawn Leister
Community Relations Specialist
& Executive Assistant to Ann Goodnight
SAS Institute Inc.
100 SAS Campus Drive
Cary, NC 27513

BETF is willing to work with any of the BDPA and the other 45 chapters to obtain the funding that they need to successfully deliver their 2018 SITES program. Simply reach out to the BETF executive director if you have questions or wish to discuss further.

Grant Declination * Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation (Milwaukee)

BDPA Milwaukee chapter and BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) received a declination letter from the Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation. They declined our grant proposal seeking $5,000 for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program.

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The declination letter read:

Dear Mr. Hicks,

The Directors of the Foundation have reviewed your request for financial support for the SITES program and regret we will be unable to contribute to your organization. Our decision was not based on any deficiency in either the information you provided us or the worthiness of the request, but rather our determination was based upon the funds available for grants this year.

We wish you success in your endeavors.

Sincerely,
Margaret T. Lund, President

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BETF will continue to seek out funding for BDPA Milwaukee chapter. If you wish to help the chapter then we encourage you to make a donation to the BDPA Milwaukee chapter fund!

Grant Declination: Michael & Susan Dell Foundation ($5,000)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) worked with our BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter to submit a $5,000 grant proposal to the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Our proposal was declined. The folks at the Dell Foundation wrote,

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"Thank you for visiting the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation website and for submitting your request for funding.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide financial support for your project. Your proposal has been personally reviewed by a foundation program officer and consideration has been given for your objectives, past success and future vision. However, your project and organization is not aligned with our goals and strategies at this time.

While we wish we could help every organization in the world, we have chosen to align our work around specific geographies, missions and outcomes. We believe that to be effective given our mission and principles, we must focus our resources. Your program sounds very worthwhile; however, at this time, we must regretfully decline participation in this project.

We wish you the very best with your future endeavors."

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Although we've won a $5,000 grant from the Dell Foundation in the past ... it wasn't meant to be this year. We will continue to work with BDPA Middle Tennessee chapter to find the funding that they need to send their students to the 2017 BDPA Technology Conference in Cincinnati, OH.

You can make a donation to support BDPA Middle Tennessee right now!

Grant Declination: Brewers Community Foundation (BDPA Milwaukee)

Brewers Community Foundation provides a significant number of grants each year to nonprofit organizations that provide quality programming in the areas of health, education, recreation and basic needs, with a particular focus on low income and disadvantaged youth and their families. BDPA Milwaukee wrote a $5,000 grant proposal to them seeking support for the 2017 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. We were recently informed that our proposal had been declined.

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Dear Mr. Hicks,

Brewers Community Foundation has reviewed your request for financial support and regret we will be unable to contribute to your organization. Our decision was not based on any deficiency in either the information you provided us or the worthiness of the request, but rather our determination was based upon the funds available for grants this year.

We wish you success in your endeavors.

Sincerely,
Cecelia Gore
Executive Director

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Brewers Community Foundation is the official charitable arm of the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. Brewers Community Foundation harnesses the pride, passion and commitment of Brewers fans, players and other supporters to positively impact the lives of children and families in Greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

We will continue to raise money for BDPA Milwaukee

Grant Declination * Texas Instruments Foundation (Houston)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Houston chapter learned that our $7,500 grant proposal was declined by the Texas Instruments Foundation. We were seeking funds for the 2016 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program being implemented this year by the chapter.

The declination letter read as follows:

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Wayne

Thank you for submitting your proposal to Texas Instruments. We enjoyed learning about your organization and your work. While we appreciate the value and importance of your mission, we regret that we are unable to fund your request for support at this time.

We would like to respond affirmatively to all requests, however, we receive far more proposals than can possibly be supported. We appreciate the thought and time that went into the development of your application, and we wish you success in accomplishing your program goals.

Sincerely,
Andy Smith, Executive Director
Texas Instruments Foundation

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BETF will continue to seek out funds for our BDPA Houston chapter!

Cerner Corporation Disapproved our Grant Proposal

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA Kansas City (president, William Wells) learned that our $25,000 grant proposal has been disapproved by the community affairs folks at Cerner Corporation.

The disapproval letter read:

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Thank you for thinking of Cerner Corporation as a sponsor for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) Program. We think it’s a great program and applaud your work in the community.

With healthy communities at the foundation of our vision, Cerner believes in corporate citizenship. In keeping with our overall mission and entrepreneurial spirit, we focus our community investments on three important objectives: Health and Wellness focused on condition management; STEM Education; and economic development emphasizing life sciences.

In addition, Cerner primarily sponsors its internal philanthropic organization, the First Hand Foundation who provides direct medical funding for children when all other resources have been exhausted. Through this relationship we are limited in our ability to support other philanthropic organizations given our commitment to First Hand.

Your organization’s proposal is certainly valuable. However, because this request does not directly fit into Cerner’s core community philosophy, we are unable to participate at this time.

Please let me know if you have any questions. I wish you and your team the best of luck.

Liz Ginther
Community Relations
Cerner Corporation

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We will continue to work with BDPA Kansas City chapter to obtain funding for the upcoming SITES program!

Grant Declination * Bradley Foundation (BDPA Milwaukee)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation learned today that our $10,000 letter of inquiry submitted to the Lynne and Harry Bradley Foundation has been declined. Our LOI was submitted on behalf of the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship program in Milwaukee.

The declination letter read as follows:

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Dear Mr. Hicks:

I regret to inform you that the prospective proposal you describe does not fall within the Foundation's mandate and its current programmatic interests.

Thank you once again for your interest.

Sincerely,
Daniel P. Schmidt
Vice President for Program

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Although we are disappointed by this response we will continue to seek out funding on behalf of our BDPA Milwaukee chapter. You can help by making a secure online donation in support of the young people being trained by this chapter.

Grant Declination: American Airlines (BDPA New York)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) and BDPA New York chapter learned that American Airlines Community Relations office declined our $7,500 grant proposal. The declination letter read as follows:

Dear Mr. Hicks,

Thank you for your recent application requesting support for BDPA Education and Technology Foundation. Each year, American receives thousands of donation requests from worthy organizations and individuals. Due to the volume of requests, coupled by limited resources, we regret that we will be unable to provide a contribution as requested. Funding requests each year far exceed our philanthropic budget and many worthy causes are declined.

While we won't be able to support BDPA Education and Technology Foundation through our corporate giving programs, you may be eligible to receive a "Flights for 50" reward through our employee volunteer program, Do Crew. Flights for 50 rewards were created to support causes and organizations that are important to our employees. When American Airlines employees volunteer 50 hours, in a calendar year, with eligible nonprofit organizations, the benefit organizations will be eligible to apply for in-kind travel. Should BDPA Education and Technology Foundation have an American Airlines employee actively volunteering, please ask them about the Do Crew program and how they may designate your organization for an award.

American applauds your dedication to the community. Although we are not able to offer a donation through our Corporate Giving Program, please accept our best wishes for much success.

Sincerely,
American Airlines Community Relations

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We are disappointed by this result, however, BETF will continue to aggressively seek out funding to support the 2016 Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in New York.   Are there any employees of American Airlines willing to work with us on the 'Flights for 50' program?

Finally, we do ask our readers to consider making a secure online donation in support of BDPA New York right now!

Grant Declination: Interactive Intelligence Foundation (BDPA Cincinnati)

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF)and BDPA Cincinnati learned that our $20,000 grant proposal has been declined. BETF will continue to aggressively pursue funding support for all 47 local BDPA chapters ... including the one in Cincinnati.

The declination letter read as follows:

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We regret to inform you that we are not able to fund BDPA Education and Technology Foundation’s grant request for this funding cycle. We do, however, encourage you to re-apply for our next grant application cycle in November of 2017.

We very much appreciated the opportunity to consider your charitable organization in our most recent grant application process. This year, we received more than 150 grant applications which made our grant decision very hard as all were admirable organizations working for great causes. Interactive Intelligence Foundation is a small corporate foundation and only has a limited amount of money to distribute.

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to understand and appreciate your organization; we encourage you to keep up your good work because all of our futures depend on breaking the cycle of disadvantage youth.

Regards,
The Interactive Foundation Board of Directors

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We invite the BDPA Cincinnati chapter leadership ... and in fact, we invite leaders from all 47 local chapters ... to contact the BETF executive director about our funding guidelines. Let's work hard to ensure that we have large participation in the national championships for High School Computer Competition, IT Showcase and Mobile Application Showcase.

Grant Declination: Best Buy Foundation Community Grant (Cincinnati)

BDPA Cincinnati worked with BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) to submit a $10,000 grant proposal to the Best Buy Foundation Community Grant program.

The declination letter read as follows:

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Dear Wayne:

Thank you for your grant application to the Community Grants program of the Best Buy Foundation from BDPA Education and Technology Foundation for your Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) Program in Cincinnati, Ohio. We regret we are unable to provide a grant to your organization at this time. While your program is one of merit, the number of requests we receive outweighs our available resources. We appreciated the opportunity to learn more about your organization and thank you for taking the time to apply for a Best Buy grant.

For more information on how Best Buy strengthens communities, see http://www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com/.

Best wishes for the continued success of your program.

Sincerely,
Best Buy Foundation
Community Grants

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We will continue to work with BDPA Cincinnati chapter on other funding opportunities. The positive aspect of this declination is that we are now free and clear to submit a $100,000 national grant to Best Buy Foundation. Wish us luck!

Grant Declination: Gannett Foundation (Milwaukee)

We recently learned that our $5,000 grant proposal submitted to the Gannett Foundation on behalf of BDPA Milwaukee chapter was declined. Our proposal was originally submitted via the community engagement coordinator at KARE 11.

The declination letter read as follows:

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Dear Mr. Hicks,

Thank you for submitting a proposal for a 2015 Gannett Foundation grant. The need for funding is clearly high, as the amount of requests we received greatly exceeded the funds available. This made the funding decisions extremely difficult, and unfortunately we are unable to fulfill your funding request at this time.

All of the requests were worthy of funding and provide essential services to the community. As I mentioned before, the decision making was not easy. Our goal is to assist a variety of community needs, so we do not fund the same organization in consecutive years.

Also keep in mind that we do not provide funds for scholarships or endowments, capital expenditures (including equipment), general operating expenditures (including salaries), start-up monies for programs or one-time events. All of our grants must be designated for a specific program within the organization.

We have awarded all of our grants for 2015; our next deadline for submitting funding requests will be February 15, 2016.

Thank you for the work you do in the community. We appreciated the opportunity to review the materials.

Sincerely,
Megan Precht
Community Engagement Coordinator
KARE 11

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BDPA Education and Technology Foundation will continue to work with BDPA Milwaukee chapter to obtain the funding that they need for its Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program. In the meantime, you can help ... please visit the BDPA Milwaukee Scholarship fund and make a secure online donation right now!