The
Charles Hayden
Foundation

These FAQs provide additional information about the Charles Hayden Foundation’s Multi-Year Grant Opportunity, which supports the implementation of strategic initiatives that advance an organization’s board-approved strategic plan.

What types of initiatives are supported through the Multi-Year Grant Opportunity?

Currently, the Foundation’s multi-year funding focuses on projects and initiatives rather than general operating support. Multi-year grants are intended to support projects and initiatives that closely align with an organization’s strategic plan and long-term goals. This may include, but is not limited to, expanding or refining programs, investing in staffing, strengthening organizational infrastructure and systems, and other capacity-building efforts that position the organization for lasting impact.

Does my proposed initiative need to relate to what the Charles Hayden Foundation currently funds at my organization?

No. The proposed initiative does not need to be directly related to the program or work currently supported by the Charles Hayden Foundation. The Multi-Year Grant Opportunity is intended to support a strategic initiative identified as a priority in your organization’s current board-approved strategic plan.

The initiative may focus on organizational capacity building or on enhancing or expanding a program. Program-related initiatives should align with the Foundation’s program areas and funding priorities.

Can the Multi-Year Grant be used for general operating support?

No. The Multi-Year Grant Opportunity is intended to support a specific strategic initiative identified as a priority in your organization’s current board-approved strategic plan. Funding may support program enhancement or expansion, organizational capacity building, or other investments needed to implement the proposed initiative, but the request should be tied to a defined project with clear goals and intended outcomes rather than general operating support.

What counts as a strategic plan?

Organizations must have a current, board-approved strategic plan that outlines the organization’s strategic priorities over multiple years. While strategic plans vary in format, they should identify the organization’s long-term goals and the key strategies or initiatives it will pursue to achieve them.

The proposed initiative should directly support the implementation of the strategic plan. If your organization uses a long-term planning document that differs from a traditional strategic plan, please describe the document and your planning process in the LOI. Foundation staff will consider this information as part of the overall review to determine whether it meets the intent of this requirement.

We are currently developing our strategic plan, but it will not be completed and approved by our Board by the September 15 LOI deadline. We have a clear sense of our strategic direction and can propose a project that aligns with it. Are we eligible to submit an LOI?

No. To be eligible for this opportunity, organizations must have a current, Board-approved strategic plan in place by the September 15 LOI deadline. The proposed initiative should directly support the implementation of that approved plan. Organizations whose strategic plans are still in development are not eligible for this funding opportunity but may be eligible for similar opportunities in the future.

Our organization is currently undergoing a leadership change. Should we still apply?

Organizations undergoing a leadership change at the President, CEO, or Executive Director level are not eligible to apply for this opportunity.

How does the Multi-Year Grant relate to my organization’s current annual grant from the Charles Hayden Foundation?

The Multi-Year Grant will replace your organization’s current annual Charles Hayden Foundation grant rather than be awarded as a separate grant alongside it. The multi-year award will include your current annual grant amount plus additional funding to support the proposed strategic initiative. 

If your organization is invited to apply, your Program Manager will work with you to structure your multi-year funding request so that it includes your current annual grant amount as well as the additional funding requested for the proposed initiative.

Can current Charles Hayden Foundation grantee partners that serve young people in Newark apply for the Multi-Year Grant Opportunity?

Yes. Current Charles Hayden Foundation grantee partners that serve young people in Newark are eligible to apply for the Multi-Year Grant Opportunity, provided they meet all other eligibility requirements. While the Foundation’s regular grantmaking includes organizations serving Newark, this opportunity is also open to eligible current grantee partners serving Newark.

If our organization does not plan to submit a Letter of Inquiry for the Multi-Year Grant Opportunity, can we still apply for funding through the Foundation’s regular grantmaking process?

Yes. Organizations that do not plan to submit a Letter of Inquiry may continue to participate in the Foundation’s regular grantmaking process. Please plan to submit your final report and renewal request by the due dates posted in the application portal.

What is the application process and timeline for the Multi-Year Grant Opportunity?

The Multi-Year Grant Opportunity is offered through an invitation-only process. Organizations interested in being considered should submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) by September 15, 2026. The Foundation will review all LOIs and may invite organizations to an initial discussion before determining which organizations will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Invitations to submit a full proposal will be extended in October 2026, with proposals due later in the fall. 

Organizations that are not invited to submit a full proposal, or that are not selected for a Multi-Year Grant, will remain eligible to apply through the Foundation’s regular annual grantmaking process.

How much funding can an organization request?

There is no prescribed minimum or maximum request amount for this opportunity. Because every strategic initiative is different, the Foundation does not provide a general funding range.

At the LOI stage, organizations should request the amount needed to support their proposed strategic initiative, taking into consideration the scope of the project, organizational capacity, anticipated outcomes, and other committed or anticipated funding sources.

Organizations should request the amount they believe is necessary to successfully implement their proposed initiative rather than attempting to estimate a target grant amount or tailor the request to what they think the Foundation wants to see.

As noted in the application materials, the Foundation anticipates providing partial support for strategic initiatives and generally does not expect to fund the full cost of a project. Organizations should have a realistic funding plan that identifies how the remaining costs of the initiative will be supported.

For organizations invited to participate in a discussion following the LOI review, Foundation staff and the grantee partner will work together to further develop the proposed funding request and consider what an appropriate multi-year grant structure might look like based on the scope and needs of the initiative. This collaborative process will help inform the development of the full proposal, should the organization be invited to submit one.

How does our current Charles Hayden Foundation grant factor into the multi-year funding request?

At the Letter of Inquiry (LOI) stage, organizations should request funding only for the proposed strategic initiative. The LOI funding request should not include the organization’s current annual Charles Hayden Foundation grant.

For organizations invited to continue in the process, Foundation staff and the grantee partner will work together to develop an appropriate multi-year funding structure. At that stage, the organization’s current annual Charles Hayden Foundation grant will be incorporated into the overall multi-year funding request. If awarded, the annual grant and the funding requested for the strategic initiative will together comprise the organization’s multi-year grant from the Foundation.

Can organizations schedule a call with their Program Manager to discuss a proposed project before submitting an LOI?

Organizations are encouraged to first review the application materials and Frequently Asked Questions when preparing their LOI, as the FAQs will be updated regularly as new questions are received. Questions about the application process or eligibility requirements should first be directed to the organization’s Program Manager by email.

Organizations should have a well-developed project concept before requesting a conversation with their Program Manager. While the proposal does not need to be finalized, organizations should be prepared to describe the proposed initiative, how it aligns with the organization’s strategic plan, the anticipated outcomes, and the preliminary funding needs.

Program Managers can answer questions and provide clarification about the opportunity but cannot advise on the competitiveness of a proposal or recommend specific funding amounts.

What is the typical duration of a multi-year grant?

The Foundation anticipates that most Multi-Year Grants will be awarded for a two- to three-year period. The exact grant term may vary based on the proposed initiative, the organization’s needs, and the Foundation’s assessment of the request.

If my organization’s grant application is due in the fall, and we are interested in applying for multi-year funding, what should we do?

Organizations interested in multi-year funding should submit a Letter of Inquiry by the September 15 deadline and their final report by its regular due date. Your Program Manager will follow up with guidance on your annual grant application and next steps in the multi-year grant process.

If an organization is not selected for a Multi-Year Grant, can it still apply for an annual grant?

Yes. Organizations that are not selected for a Multi-Year Grant will remain eligible to apply through the Foundation’s regular annual grantmaking process.

What are the reporting and check-in requirements for Multi-Year Grants?

Organizations receiving a Multi-Year Grant will participate in periodic check-ins with the Foundation throughout the grant period. These conversations will focus on progress toward the goals and anticipated outcomes of the funded initiative, financial health and use of grant funds, and any significant changes to the initiative, organization, leadership, or broader context that may affect implementation. Organizations will be required to submit a final report at the end of the grant term.

How does multi-year funding affect future funding eligibility?

At the end of the Multi-Year Grant term, organizations may be considered for future funding through the Foundation’s regular grantmaking process. Continued funding is not guaranteed and will be considered based on the results of the funded initiative, the organization’s overall health, continued alignment with the Foundation’s priorities, and broader portfolio and budget considerations.