What is the total amount in grants you will be making in your next application round?
We have not set an overall amount at this time.

How large will your grants be?
We are not capping the amount of each grant at this time, but expect proposals to be realistic. Single and multi-year requests will be accepted.

Can we submit a narrative longer than seven pages if we have more to say?
No. The narrative portion in excess of seven pages will not be accepted.

I am a working woman in need of housing or other help. Can I apply for a grant?
Sorry, no. We only make grants to organizations, not individual households. Please seek the assistance of an organization that can help address your needs. A partial listing of organizations can be found on our Resources for Women page.

Does my organization have to be located in Chicago to be eligible to apply?
No, but all of the women to be served under your proposal must live within Chicago's city limits.

Your grant guidelines specify that the women to be served must earn between $10,000 and $30,000 a year. Can we count public assistance (e.g., TANF, Homeless Prevention Funds, Housing Choice Vouchers, Food Stamps) received by these households toward that amount?
While receipt of public assistance does not disqualify a household, any such amounts received do not count toward their "income" under our grants program. Program participants are expected to be employed and earning within our income range through wages or other earned income.

My organization would like to submit a proposal to help women in your target population through advocacy and/or public awareness programming. Can we apply?
The Foundation does not currently make grants for lobbying or other advocacy work.

You have expressed an emphasis on funding applications that address workforce development. Our core expertise is housing. Can we still apply?
Our experience over the past few years has indicated that it is very important for women to have living wage jobs in order to become self-sufficient. Therefore, we are placing emphasis on workforce development. However, research and focus groups indicate that it is also important to address the other core services such as housing, childcare and credit cleanup. Therefore we will still continue to review and fund suitable applications that offer these core services.

My organization would like to submit a proposal involving employment training or day care, but you have identified comprehensive self-sufficiency as a central focus of your work. Does my organization's proposal have to provide all four services (housing, childcare, employment training and financial management) to women to qualify?
No. You may apply for a resource grant if your organization has the capacity in any one of the areas to serve the Foundation's grantees or a "hub" grant if your organization offers two or more. However, if you are applying as a hub grantee, you must indicate how your organization will be able to provide all four of the comprehensive services through a single point of service (e.g., through partnerships or joint applications). Please note that this year, we are placing particular emphasis on employment training and placement.

You have expressed a preference for new initiatives. What do you mean by "new initiative"?”
"New initiative" can mean a new idea or program but does not have to. A new initiative can also mean expanding an existing program to reach the Foundation's target population, or it can mean an expansion into a new geographic area for your organization.

What elements are you looking for in workforce development?
The key elements that applicants must address in terms of workforce development are (a) the job skills training that will provide a living wage; and, (b) job placement through employer relationships.

Should workforce development strategies be restricted to any one sector?
No. However, we favor initiatives that are responsive to employers and industries that are growing and offer stable career opportunities. The applicants should have employer relationships (either directly or through an intermediary) in the sectors in which the women are trained.

What is the deadline for submitting the application?
Close of business, June 9, 2008. They may be mailed or delivered to our office, or sent electronically as a Word file attached to an e-mail sent to us at the address below. Our preference is for an integrated Acrobat (.pdf) file. Late submissions will not be accepted.

How will my organization know that you received our application?
We will send you a postcard acknowledging receipt of your organization's application.

How do we find out what decision was made on our application?
All applicants will be notified in writing of the decision made on their applications.

We may not be ready to submit an application by June 9, 2008. When will your next round of grants be?
We expect to launch our next round of grants in 2009. However, we have not yet set the timetable for that grant-making cycle.

Where can I raise additional questions about the 2007 Grants Application Process?
You can write us at grants@eleanorfoundation.org, or call (312) 337-7766 until June 5.

How can I find out more about the Eleanor Foundation and its 2007 Grants Program?
By browsing this web site.