The Fresh Sound Foundation’s grants process begins in January with a simplified Letter of Inquiry (LOI) process, followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP). While unsolicited LOIs or proposals are not accepted, the Foundation is always open to connecting with and learning about new organizations, particularly those who impact the existing ecosystem of work we support.
Final grant decisions are made in mid to late May with grant distributions going out in early July–the start of Fresh Sound’s new fiscal year.
In an effort to embrace trust based philanthropy approaches, Fresh Sound conducts “progress report learning calls” in lieu of written reports for its current grantee partners. These calls take place in mid-January of the following year.
Current deadlines for FY25 grant decisions include:
LOIs (if needed) and RFPs notifications sent by April 12, 2024.
Deadline for LOIs and RFPs submissions: May 1, 2024
Deadline for most recent finanical reports (current partners & applicants): May 1, 2024
FSF Annual Grantmaking Meeting-Final Decisions: June 6-8, 2024
Organizations notified of grant decision: Week of June 10, 2024
Grants distributed immediately after July 1, 2024 (start of FSF’s new fiscal year)
Grantee partner progress report learning calls: January 2025
Urgency of Now/Flexible Funds
In addition to Fresh Sound’s core grants process, the Foundation distributes a smaller amount of flexible funds, enabling the Foundation to be responsive to emergent and timely needs. These grant funds can be distributed at any time during the Foundation’s fiscal year and timing decisions are informed by conversations with existing and/or prospective grantee partners.
For inquiries about what the Fresh Sound Foundation supports, please contact Philanthropic Advisor Kelly Nowlin at kelly@kdnphilanthropy.com
For questions regarding the grants process and stated deadlines, please contact Grants Manager Jennifer Sanders at jsanders@Baldwin-LLC.com
Fresh Sound’s grants process and stated deadlines are subject to change. Changes will be communicated to current and prospective grantee partners.