1. What issue areas does the S. Mark Taper Foundation fund?
As a responsive grantmaker, the Foundation does not have any specific initiatives and responds to community needs as presented in submitted LOIs. We typically funds organizations that work in the following fields: Arts, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Health, and Social Services.
2. What amount should I request in my Letter of Inquiry?
The Foundation does not provide guidance to organizations on the amount of their request. Instead, we recommend that you make this decision based on the size of your organization and the size of past grants (both from the S. Mark Taper Foundation and other foundations). Note: Due to the scope of the capital grant application process, the minimum request amount for a capital grant should be $100,000.
3. Does the S. Mark Taper Foundation provide multi-year funding?
The Foundation only provides multi-year grants for capital projects.
4. How many grants are awarded each year?
On average, the Foundation receives LOIs from approximately 500 organizations each year. Of these, approximately 60 to 80 receive grant awards.
5. My organization has a fiscal sponsor. Can we apply for a grant?
No, the Foundation does not provide grants to organizations with fiscal sponsors.
6. I work for a local branch of a national non-profit organization. Can we apply for a grant?
Organizations that provide services in one of three counties in Southern California are eligible to apply for a grant. Please see the How to Apply page to see a list of eligible counties. Priority is given to organizations serving residents of Los Angeles County.
7. I recently received a grant from the S. Mark Taper Foundation. When may I submit another Letter of Inquiry?
A past grantee is not eligible for three grant cycles immediately following the year in which they received their grant payment. For example, an organization that received a grant payment in December 2024 will not be eligible to re-apply until the 2028 grant cycle.
8. Can I submit a proposal after the deadline?
The Foundation does not accept late proposals.
9. May I have a meeting or a phone call with a Foundation staff member regarding my organization's eligibility or LOI proposal?
Foundation staff members do not have meetings or phone calls to discuss individual LOIs. However, if you have general questions regarding eligibility, the online grants portal, or the LOI Guidelines, please email us at grants@smtfoundation.org or call (310) 476-5413.
10. How will I know if my LOI has been approved to move forward to the application stage?
The Foundation will reach out via email to your organization's CEO/Executive Director and the staff person that submitted your LOI to invite your organization to submit a full application. Please be sure that all contact information is up-to-date on your organization's profile. Every applicant will receive a final decision by the end of October.
11. What if there is not a check mark in either box 1 or 3 of the California Entity Status Letter?
If both boxes 1 and 3 are not checked, the LOI is ineligible for Foundation consideration and will be declined. In such a case, we recommend that you contact the California Franchise Tax Board and/or the California Registry of Charitable Trusts to obtain more information. The Foundation is not able to provide individual guidance or direction on this matter.
12. Our LOI was declined. Can you tell us why? How soon can we re-apply?
Due to time constraints on our staff, the Foundation cannot provide individualized feedback on declines. An organization that has been declined and meets the Foundation's guidelines is eligible to reapply in the next grant cycle. A past grantee is not eligible for three grant cycles immediately following the year in which they received their grant.
13. What are some common reasons why an LOI does not move forward to application?
Some common errors that make an LOI ineligible are listed below.
The Foundation's exact list of uploads may change from year to year. Our general LOI uploads checklist can be found here.
The Foundation may conduct a site visit during or after the application process. If we decide to do a site visit, we will contact the organization to schedule a date and time.
16. What do I do if I forgot my password for my account on the online grants portal?
Please click on the "Forgot Password" button on the login page of the S. Mark Taper Foundation Online Grants Portal and follow the instructions.
17. Who do I contact if I have questions about the online application portal?
Contact the Foundation via email at grants@smtfoundation.org or by phone at (310) 476-5413.
14. What kinds of supporting documentation will we be asked to submit with the LOI and the Grant Application?
