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Who We Are
Questions and Answers With Joel Ratner, president of The Raymond John Wean Foundation. Question: What is The Raymond John Wean Foundation interested in funding? Answer: We have three major focus areas: - community investment grants - neighborhood grants - and early childhood education grants Question: Where can I find more information about what you fund and the process for applying? Answer: Details about each of these programs, including specifics about what we are looking for in projects that we fund, are available on our website: www.rjweanfoundation.org Question: So what is it that you want to see in grants? Answer: While specifics vary based on each focus area, there are some basic concepts that we like to see in every grant that we fund: First, we like programs that offer new, innovative approaches to issues and problems. For instance, we aren't likely to fund a program that duplicates the exact same services offered by another agency, and we may not be inclined to fund a program that you are already operating unless you can show compelling reasons why you can't continue it without additional financial support. Second, we often look for programs that seek to include a broad cross-section of the community. Next, we like projects that build on some of our community's many assets and strengths. Overall, we look for projects that seek to advance equity in society and that work for social justice. Question: Do you have certain projects that you like more than others? Answer: We favor projects that try to leverage the assets of different organizations. We like to see that others share your vision and want to work to help you achieve it. We are deeply committed to projects that work to develop people's potential. We believe in advancing social welfare. We want projects that try to develop community leaders. Finally, we are deeply committed to projects that serve those who have not been well-served or who are under-represented. Question: What if I have more questions? Answer: I realize that what I just said is a lot to digest. Please know that we are here to help and, shortly, I will explain who you can contact at The Raymond John Wean Foundation for help. Question: Is the process of applying difficult? Answer: We have tried to make the process of applying for grant funding as simple as possible. What we want to know is actually very basic and boils down to who, what, when, where and, above all, why? Question: What is the first step? Answer: The first step for grants over $5,000 is to send us a simple letter explaining your project and offering brief background about your organization. Question: Can you explain what you want in terms of the brief background that you mentioned? Answer: Essentially, we want to know who you are and who it is that you serve. We want to know what you do. We want to know when you started. We want to know where you do what you do. Most of all, we want to know why you do what you do. Question: What happens after you receive the letter? Answer: We will read that letter and may then invite you to apply for a grant. Question: Are there forms that we have to complete? Answer: We do have forms that you have to fill out and certain documentation that you must supply if we invite you to apply for the grant. Question: Who should we contact for help? Answer: We are here to help you with all of this and we want to help you. Staff members able to assist are:
Question: Can you sum it all up for us one more time about what you want to see in a grant application? Answer: What we want to know is why you want a grant from The Raymond John Wean Foundation, how you propose to use funds and why we should make the grant. We are eager to hear how you intend to help make our community better and we are equally eager to join with you in that endeavor if we believe that our focus matches your vision and your abilities to execute your project.
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