Frequently Asked Questions

 

What does Mitchell Kapor Foundation do?

The Foundation was created as a private entity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Mitchell Kapor to support organizations and activism which address the conditions and dynamics of inequality. Our grants program focuses on funding organizations which work to ensure fairness and equity for vulnerable communities, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We aim to support activities that improve social conditions for low-income people of color, and we are open to talking with community organizations that haven’t had traditional access to funds from foundations and major donors.

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When was it founded?

1997

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Who manages the Foundation?

There is a two-person staff which conducts the initial research on funding requests and make recommendations for targeted grants. The Trustees make the final decisions.

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What is the size of the Foundation’s endowment?

As of June 30, 2007, the assets of the Mitchell Kapor Foundation totaled approximately $63 million.

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How many grants will the Foundation make in 2008? 

In our two targeted grantmaking programs, we anticipate awarding approximately 35 grants of $25,000 to $50,000 each in 2008, totaling $1.3 million.

 

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What are the Foundation’s main areas of focus?

Nearly all of our grant work focuses on environmental, educational, and civic issues; we have two targeted key areas:

  • Green Access: ensuring positive, sustainable environmental solutions for all communities
  • Project 2008: boosting voter participation and assuring integrity of the electoral process

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How do I submit a grant request?

Using our Guidelines, complete and submit using our online application process. We accept inquiries on an ongoing basis.

If we’re interested in learning more about your request, we will ask you to submit supplemental information.

 

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How does the Foundation solicit grant requests?

We solicit grant requests through our website, collaborations, and direct outreach.

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Does the Foundation only fund San Francisco Bay Area programs?

Since we are headquartered in the San Francisco, we prefer to fund Green Access projects that have an impact in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We will fund Project 2008 requests from communities throughout the United States.

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Does the Foundation make international grants?

We currently only award grants to U.S.-based organizations.

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How does the Foundation decide what grant requests to fund?

We closely consider each grant request by looking at how well it aligns with the Foundation’s vision, criteria, and areas of focus. We work with applicants to gather additional information that will help us to make the strongest choices. For more specific information, please see our Guidelines.

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How does the Foundation work with grantees after the grant is awarded?

We sincerely hope to strike a balance between providing ongoing support for grantees and giving enough space to get the work done. We seek to establish transparent and trusting relationships with grant recipients.

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Why and how does the Foundation measure the outcome of a grant?

Measuring outcomes helps us evaluate how the grants that we make are impacting our targeted areas. Since each applicant must state their intended outcomes in the application process, we assess the impact of each grant against the attainment of those stated goals.

While we do require grantees to define benchmarks of progress and success, we are also open to the likelihood that the desired outcomes may shift during the course of the grant.

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Why does the Foundation only focus on two areas?

The two focus areas have evolved during a decade of philanthropic and direct service work. These areas mirror the interests and values of our trustees, and reflect areas in which we believe we can have a meaningful impact.

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What if I want to apply for a grant for a project outside of your focus areas?

Sorry, we are not interested in awarding grants outside of our focus areas at this time.

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Are there any job openings or volunteer positions at the Foundation?

We operate with a small staff and job openings are rare. Any available positions will always be listed on our home page.

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Mitchell Kapor Foundation