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FAQ: Futuro Latino Fund
What resources are available to help prepare a strong grant proposal?
To enhance your grant proposal, we offer personalized, one-on-one coaching sessions. After submitting a draft of your proposal in Submittable, our online grant portal, you can schedule a coaching session to address specific areas and receive guidance tailored to your needs. Come prepared with questions to make the most of this opportunity.
How much detail do I need to provide in the application draft before a coaching session?
We recommend providing as much information as possible to get the most out of your coaching session. However, if for example, you only want to discuss the budget portion—make sure to complete the budget narrative questions and fill out the budget matrix. You can use an asterisk (*) in required fields you plan to revisit.
Can I apply to more than one Community Interest Fund grant program?
Yes, eligible organizations that meet the program requirements may apply to more than one program. If your organization is submitting requests to different programs for the same project, it is most beneficial to state clearly that you are applying to another Community Interest Fund program, what amount you are requesting from each program, and how funds will be used. If your organization is applying to another Community Interest Fund program for a different project, no additional information is needed.
Is there an organizational operating budget limit for the Futuro Latino Fund?
Yes, the organization’s annual budget may not exceed $500,000. The intent of Community Interest Funds is to invest in small, emerging, and grassroots organizations that often do not have the same access to resources as larger organizations.
Will the committee fund the same project for consecutive years?
Yes, the committee will consider all proposals that meet the funding criteria. Additionally, the committee wants to see that its investment is being impactful. The best way to do that is to show how the programs and services being funded are incorporating lessons learned—building on the strengths identified from the experience of carrying out the project in the previous grant cycle.
How can organizations best demonstrate the effectiveness and impact of their programs?
We strongly recommend balancing supporting data with personal impact statements and success stories. This ensures you are delivering a complete overview of your programs and that outcomes are evident in a way that will appeal to reviewers regardless of whether they are data-driven or narrative-driven.
When must our grant program conclude or funding be used?
All grant funds must be used in the calendar year they were awarded—so by December 31, 2024. If there is a situation that may impact that timeline, please proactively communicate with the program manager well in advance of any application or reporting deadlines.
How will my proposal be reviewed and scored?
Proposals are scored individually by each committee member; scores are then averaged to get a slate of organizations sorted by score. The committee convenes to discuss all the applications and determine which proposals will receive funding. The 2024 Futuro Latino Fund rubric asks committee members to score based on the commitment to DEI and representation, response to a need and population served, positive impact for the Latinx/o/a communities, approach to collaboration, and the overall budget and sustainability plan. The rubric is subject to change annually.
If my proposal is not funded, will I receive feedback?
If your organization’s proposal is not selected for funding, you will have the opportunity to schedule a call to discuss the application and to receive any feedback from the committee regarding why it was not selected and suggestions to make the proposal stronger in the future. There are situations in which great proposals do not get funding because of limited award dollars.