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We make grants and investments that align with our North Star goal and fit within one of our three strategic priorities. We are particularly interested in proposals that focus on implementing systemic reforms to improve postsecondary undergraduate persistence and completion outcomes for students from underserved backgrounds.
If you believe you have an aligned project, please use the process outlined below to apply. Staff will determine, based on the submitted letter of inquiry, whether a request fits with an existing initiative or falls under our strategically responsive grantmaking. If you are a for-profit company or a nonprofit with a dedicated revenue stream that is looking for information on our program-related investments, visit the Education Innovation Ventures page to learn more about eligibility.
Grants Eligibility
Eligibility for ECMC Foundation grant funding is determined by the criteria outlined below. In some instances (e.g., Request for Proposal) criteria may be added for specific grant opportunities.
What types of organizations are eligible to receive funding?
- Nonprofit organizations registered as a U.S. 501(c)(3) or a 509(a)(1), (2) or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code
- Government entities
- Postsecondary institutions and systems or their affiliated and supporting foundations
What types of requests are ineligible for funding?
- Solicitations from individuals and/or requests for scholarships
- Appeals to support endowment funds, political activities and lobbying, capital campaigns or fundraising activities
- Applications from entities or for projects outside the United States (We only make grants in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and to sovereign tribes)
- Requests from organizations that operate in ways that are inconsistent with ECMC Foundation’s mission
What projects are generally not funded?
- Efforts to support K-12 students and/or youth development programming, including but not limited to college access, summer bridge and general career preparation
- Programs to support postgraduate students
- Projects impacting a limited number of students at a single institution, seeking resources for scholarships, or failing to primarily serve students furthest from opportunity
- Plans to implement capital improvements or projects seeking funding for equipment or construction with no programmatic component
- Requests for ongoing program or general operating support
- Trainings offering industry-recognized credentials with no connection to accredited programs conferring academic credentials
- Programs to support adult basic education or help students obtain a General Educational Development (GED) credential or high school equivalency diploma
- Job placement services or internship programs without a direct connection to postsecondary persistence and degree completion
- Sponsorships for conferences and other events hosted by organizations not already affiliated with ECMC Foundation
Grants Submission Process
Letters of Inquiry
ECMC Foundation accepts and reviews Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) via our online system on a rolling basis. All LOIs must demonstrate how the project-based concept fits within one of our three strategic priorities and advances the Foundation’s North Star goal. (For your convenience you can preview the form template here.)
All LOIs must provide the following information:
- Point of Contact, including the name, title, email address, and phone number of the point of contact at the organization submitting the letter of inquiry
- Organization Information, including name, address, website, EIN number, and organization type, budget, and background for the submitting organization
- Budget and Timeline, including amount requested from ECMC Foundation, total project budget, budget narrative, and proposed project duration in months
- Concept Overview, including name of project lead, project summary, intended goals and anticipated outcomes of the proposed project
Proposal
LOIs that most closely reflect ECMC Foundation's strategic priorities will be invited to submit a full grant proposal. Proposals are accepted upon request only. A request for a proposal should not be interpreted as an indication of likely support.
Foundation staff may ask applicants to meet (virtually or in-person) or submit additional information in writing before advancing an LOI to the proposal phase.
Review Process
Please be aware that the full grant proposal process—from first contact to board approval—can take several months. We ask applicants to be mindful of the timeline when beginning the application process.
Submit an LOI to apply for a grant
For additional information on our LOI process and tips for a stronger submission, please see this blog post.
Commitment to Improving Higher Education for Career Success Among Students Farthest from Opportunity Through Evidence-Based Innovation
Since its inception, ECMC Foundation has targeted its investments in improving postsecondary outcomes for students from underserved backgrounds. We are also committed to supporting leaders, organizations and solutions that prioritize removing barriers to success for all students.
Monitoring and Reporting
We require that each grantee identify and track unique measures of success, which are defined by the grantee and aligned to the goals of the grant. Annual assessments provide the Foundation with information on a program’s progress toward its targets and goals. Learn more about our approach to learning and evaluation.
Open Access Policy for Research Grants
As the postsecondary field demands more data-driven decision-making and evidence-based policies, it is essential that the research that informs these efforts is reasonably accessible. Providing easier access to published research allows practitioners, policymakers and other researchers to more effectively and efficiently integrate data-informed studies into their work.
As a result, all research funded by ECMC Foundation must be open access. ECMC Foundation defines open access as providing the public with continuous free access to research upon project completion or upon completion of any portion of a larger project. By maintaining this policy, the Foundation intends to put research into the hands of those who need access to it the most.
By making research open access, it reduces the number of duplicative studies, increases transparency, allows practitioners and policymakers to affordably access data and information, and inspires collaboration.