You could practically bankroll your entire mission with the right grant from The Chatlos Foundation. They back U.S. nonprofits making real moves in Bible colleges, religious causes, medical concerns, liberal arts, and social issues. If your organization has IRS tax-exempt status and a solid track record, you’re already ahead of the game. What you do next could be the difference between steady progress and transformative impact.
Key Takeaways
- The Chatlos Foundation provides grants to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations operational at least two years with IRS tax-exempt status.
- Funding priorities include Bible colleges/seminaries, religious causes, medical concerns, liberal arts colleges, and social issues with varying grant sizes.
- Typical grant amounts range from $2,000 up to $20,000 depending on the focus area, with most requests encouraged to be under $10,000.
- Applications require a cover letter, project proposal (max 5 pages), organizational budget, IRS tax-exempt letter, and a completed application form submitted with no binding or staples.
- Only one grant is awarded per organization every 12 months, with the option to reapply six months after denial; decisions take about 180 days.
Overview of The Chatlos Foundation
Although it doesn’t solicit public donations, the Chatlos Foundation, Inc. actively supports IRS-exempt nonprofit organizations primarily within the United States by providing grants tailored to programmatic needs.
With a foundation history dating back to 1953, it has delivered significant philanthropic impact, awarding over $118 million to more than 10,000 organizations.
The foundation prioritizes program support for Bible colleges/seminaries, religious causes, medical concerns, liberal arts colleges, and social concerns, ensuring its resources drive meaningful change and lasting outcomes for communities in need.
Eligibility Requirements for Grants
To qualify for a grant from the Chatlos Foundation, your nonprofit must be based in the United States and have operated for at least two years as an IRS-recognized tax-exempt organization.
Grant eligibility requires your organization to uphold non-discrimination policies and maintain active tax exempt status. The foundation doesn’t fund individuals or provide direct scholarships; support is reserved for eligible institutions.
Only one grant per organization is allowed within a 12-month period, and you may reapply six months after a denial. Meeting these requirements guarantees your organization is positioned for strategic consideration.
Areas of Focus for Funding
When seeking a grant from the Chatlos Foundation, you’ll find its funding distribution directly reflects a defined set of priorities that shape where your proposal stands the best chance of success.
The largest share, 33%, supports Bible Colleges and Seminaries with grants from $5,000 to $20,000.
Religious Causes follow closely at 30%, offering grants between $5,000 and $15,000.
Medical Concerns receive 26% with similar grant ranges.
Liberal Arts Colleges have a smaller portion, 7%, with grants of $2,500 to $7,500.
Finally, Social Issues make up 4%, with grants ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
Application Components and Instructions
You’ll need to fill out the Chatlos Foundation application form and gather all required documents before submitting your request.
Make sure every section is completed accurately, and double-check that your proposal packet includes everything listed in the instructions.
Submit your application at any time, but remember to keep your request under $10,000 and follow the guidelines closely for the best chance of success.
Required Application Items
Although applications can be submitted at any time without a letter of intent, your completed package must include the Chatlos Foundation application form alongside all required documents to meet submission criteria.
Use the application checklist to verify you’ve included everything. Required documents are a cover letter with your project description and funding request, a proposal (no more than five pages), your most recent board-approved organizational budget, a copy of your IRS tax-exempt letter, and the completed Chatlos Foundation application.
Double-check each section for accuracy and completeness before printing and submitting your application.
Form Completion Guidelines
How should you approach completing the Chatlos Foundation application form to guarantee your submission stands out?
Focus on form accuracy: review the official instructions to understand what’s required, then carefully fill out every section of the application form without omissions or errors.
Double-check your entries to verify application completeness—your package must include all specified items, such as a cover letter, proposal, organizational budget, and IRS determination letter.
Print and submit single-sided, unbound documents, confirming all components are present before sending.
Since there’s no formal deadline, take the time to refine your submission; a meticulous approach improves both clarity and your chances for funding.
Submission and Review Process
You can submit a grant proposal to the Chatlos Foundation at any time since there are no fixed deadlines.
The Preliminary Review Committee meets monthly to evaluate proposals, and the full review process takes about 180 days.
Keep in mind that your organization can submit only one application per 12 months and must wait six months to resubmit if denied.
Submission Timeline
Because the Chatlos Foundation accepts proposals on a rolling basis, you’re able to apply at any time—there’s no hard deadline that forces you to rush your submission, giving you the flexibility to prepare a strong, thoughtful application.
This means submission deadlines don’t restrict your proposal timeline. After you submit, the Preliminary Review Committee meets monthly to evaluate applications promptly. You can expect a decision in about 180 days.
If denied, you may resubmit your proposal after six months, allowing time to enhance it. Note that only one grant is allowed per organization every 12 months, encouraging diverse support.
Review Committee Process
While proposals can be submitted anytime, the Preliminary Review Committee promptly schedules each for examination during its monthly meetings.
You’ll want to understand the review criteria, which prioritize program support and self-sustaining projects. The committee roles include evaluating eligibility, alignment with foundation priorities, and overall impact.
If your proposal meets the standards, it advances for further consideration. You can expect a decision within about 180 days.
Funding Limits and Restrictions
Although the Chatlos Foundation offers a maximum grant amount of $10,000 per organization, initial requests are generally for less than this cap to emphasize program support rather than ongoing operational costs.
Keep these key funding criteria and grant limitations in mind:
- You can only receive one grant per 12-month period, and must wait six months after a denial to reapply.
- Funding is for program support only—no bricks and mortar, endowments, or administrative expenses.
- Scholarships go to institutions, not individuals, and medical research or individual churches aren’t eligible.
Reporting and Post-Award Expectations
Once your organization receives a grant from the Chatlos Foundation, you’ll need to keep the Foundation informed about your project’s progress and outcomes.
You must meet their reporting requirements by providing regular updates and detailed reports on successes or challenges, ensuring strong accountability measures.
Personal meetings are limited to funded organizations by appointment only.
The Foundation expects your project to become independent of its funding over time, demonstrating sustainability.
Highlights From Past Grant Recipients
Your grant reporting builds the foundation for understanding the impact of Chatlos Foundation funding.
Recipient stories from Fuller Theological Seminary and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital highlight the diverse reach of grants in education and healthcare. These stories demonstrate how funding advances meaningful programs rather than infrastructure or administration.
Three highlights of grant impact include:
- Supporting Bible colleges and medical efforts improving community health and education outcomes.
- Grant amounts typically range from $2,500 to $20,000, emphasizing program support.
- Recipients provide outcome reports, ensuring transparent and accountable use of funds, amplifying grant effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an Organization Submit Multiple Grant Proposals Simultaneously?
You can submit multiple proposals simultaneously if you follow the Chatlos Foundation’s proposal guidelines carefully. Align your grant strategy to fit their priorities and application instructions, ensuring each proposal meets their specific funding criteria and submission rules.
Are There Restrictions on Using Grant Funds for Administrative Salaries?
You can’t use grant funds for administrative salaries; grant fund utilization must focus on direct program costs, not administrative costs, ensuring every dollar advances your mission, not overhead.
Is There a Specific Deadline for Submitting Grant Applications?
You don’t have a specific deadline for your grant application submission with the Chatlos Foundation, as they accept requests on a rolling basis without cutoff dates. You control your submission timeline strategically.
Does the Foundation Provide Feedback on Declined Proposals?
You won’t get detailed feedback on declined proposals, but the foundation encourages you to use their guidelines for proposal improvements. Focus on their priorities and resubmit after six months for another chance.
Can International Projects Receive Funding From the Foundation?
You can pursue international project funding if your nonprofit meets the Chatlos Foundation’s international eligibility criteria, including IRS tax-exempt status and mission alignment. Project funding limits typically range from $2,000 to $20,000 depending on category and priorities.
Conclusion
You’ve got a real shot if you align your mission with their priorities and follow the steps. Remember, “Every journey begins with a single step.” Take that step, apply with confidence, and let your organization’s work shine. The Chatlos Foundation wants to see your impact, so show them how their support can help you make a difference.