Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page. Here you will find answers to the most common questions people ask about the William & Sheila Konar Foundation, our funding priorities, and our application and grant-making process. If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact us.

How do I apply for a grant from the Konar Foundation?

All applications must be submitted through the Konar Foundation’s online Grant Portal. We strongly encourage all applicants to review the Timeline section of the website before beginning the application process.

You may download the Grant Portal User Guide for additional guidance on navigating the online system.

How do I determine if my organization is eligible to receive a grant from the Konar Foundation?

The application form is open to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please refer to the Priorities and About tabs to determine if your proposal aligns with our mission, vision, values, and key funding priorities.

Can I apply for funding if my organization is not based in Rochester?

Yes. In general, we give first priority to organizations in or near Monroe County, New York.

How do I check if my organization already has an account in the Foundation’s online system?

If you are unsure whether your organization is already in the online system, please do not create a new account without contacting us first. We can verify your organization’s account status and set you up as a contact in our system.

We strongly encourage applicants unfamiliar with our online grant system to download and review the Grant Portal User Guide prior to creating an account.

If your organization has received funding from the Konar Foundation within the past three to five years, there is already an account for your organization set up in our system, even if you are a first-time user.

How often can an organization apply for funding? Can I submit more than one proposal in a year?

Applications are accepted, evaluated, and funded on a quarterly basis. Please refer to the Timeline tab for additional information regarding the submission deadlines.

There is no limit to the number of applications an organization can submit in a year. However, it is uncommon for an organization to receive more than one grant in a calendar year, as any repeat or additional funding is contingent on the quality of the grantee’s final report.

Can I submit a hard copy application to the Konar Foundation?

No. All applications must be submitted through the online grant portal.

What is the grant size range?

There is no set range as each grant request is unique. However, we do not typically award first-time applicants grants more than $25,000.

Does the Konar Foundation make multi-year grants?

Most of our grants are one-year grants. But the Konar Foundation does award multi-year grants depending on the requested amount, the purpose of the request, and our relationship with the organization.

Should the Budget Worksheet cover the entire project or only the portion that the proposed grant would fund?

Your budget should cover the cost of the entire project. Revenues should equal expenses under the Budgeted column on the worksheet with a zero balance (e.g., if the amount you are requesting from the Foundation is intended to fund the entire project or initiative, then you would only complete line item number one under the Revenue Categories column).

Will I be required to complete a site visit or final report for my grant?

All grantee organizations that receive a minimum of $25,000 in funding from the Konar Foundation must complete a one-time visit and submit a final report for their awarded grant. Please see the Monitoring & Reporting section of the website for further guidance.

What can we expect in terms of ongoing contact with the Foundation?

Grant approvals will outline our expectations for monitoring and reporting. In addition, project directors may be asked to attend periodic meetings or provide a written report on the project’s findings in a form suitable for publication or other use by the Foundation. We like to be informed of upcoming events related to any initiatives that we fund.

Our staff is glad to participate and add value to projects we help fund over multiple years to the extent appropriate and possible.

In general, why isn’t a grant funded?

Each year, the Konar Foundation receives a sizable number of funding requests. As a result, the selection process is very competitive.

Most of our grants evolve from discussions with organizations aligned with our funding priorities. We place great value in establishing and nurturing long-term partnerships with organizations that share our vision and goals. Therefore, many of our grants reflect funding support and demonstrated impact over multiple years.

How should my organization acknowledge grants publicly?

The Konar Foundation does not require a public acknowledgment for any grant. If you choose to acknowledge a grant because it serves your organizational purpose publicly, we ask that you contact us two weeks prior to doing so. Details regarding publicity are provided to grant recipients in their award letters.

What tips can you offer grant writers?

There is a wealth of high-quality grant-writing resources available online. Below are a few tips and suggestions we have compiled for grant seekers:

  • Make a strong case for why your project should be funded versus others with similar goals and objectives. If you are aware of other organizations doing similar work, please address any areas in which your organizations overlap. We encourage collaboration whenever possible.
  • Ensure the budget you are requesting is appropriate for the project.
  • Do not inflate the asking amount. Many other organizations request funding, and only a limited amount is available for distribution.
  • Brevity and clarity in your responses are greatly appreciated. Bullet points are encouraged where appropriate. Our staff and Board of Trustees must be able to fully understand the project, its anticipated audience, and its intended purpose clearly, free from jargon or acronyms.