Frequently Asked Questions Dominion Foundation

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1. What kinds of organizations are eligible for funding?
   All organizations recognized by the U.S. Treasury Department as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code are eligible.
   
   
2. How do I qualify for a grant from the Dominion Foundation?
   Dominion Foundation provides support to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that support the following funding priorities: education, environment, culture and arts, civic and community development, and health and human services.
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3. What are the Dominion Foundation’s grant guidelines and restrictions?
   Foundation grant support is available to:
   
   
• Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organizations
• Organizations in geographic areas where Dominion provides electricity or natural gas service, or has significant facilities or business interests
• Organizations that focus on education, environment, culture and the arts, civic and community development, and health and human services
  
  Foundation grant support is not available to:
  
  
• Individuals
• Religious programs of churches or other sectarian organizations
• Fraternal, political, advocacy or labor organizations
• Operating funds of individual United Way agencies, which already benefit from Dominion's generous corporate donations to United Way
• Projects or organizations that are not located within Dominion’s geographic areas
• Fund-raising events (dinners, lunches, etc.)
• Golf tournaments or other sporting events
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Organizations that limit membership and services based on race, religion, color, creed, sex, age or national origin
• Advertising for benefit or courtesy purposes
• Travel-related events, including student trips or tours
• Memorial campaigns
  
  Dominion does not typically fund university research projects or endow chairs. The primary interest of the Dominion Foundation is to support programs. Consequently, support of capital campaigns is limited and provided on an exceptional basis.
  
  
4. What are the geographical limitations?
   Dominion invests in organizations and programs that improve the quality of life in those geographic areas in which the company provides electricity or natural gas service, or has significant facilities or business interests.
   
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5. What makes a grant application competitive?
   Competitive grant requests will demonstrate the following:
   
   
   • Affordability and sustainability
   • Lasting impact on the community
   • Using the professional expertise of Dominion employees and retirees as volunteers
   • Significant and measurable outcomes
   • Potential for connections to other complementary endeavors
     
     
6. How can I improve my chances of receiving a grant from the Dominion Foundation?
   You can increase the possibility of receiving a grant and improving the quality of your proposal by spending a few minutes reviewing Grant Guidelines and Restrictions and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). If you think your organization meets the eligibility requirements, complete an eligibility quiz. And don’t forget to attach the proper requested documents (see Helpful Hints).
   
   
7. How much does the Dominion Foundation give each year?
   Principally through the Dominion Foundation, the company contributes more than $10 million annually to charities in those geographic areas in which the company provides electricity or natural gas service, or has significant facilities or business interests.
   
   
8. What is the range in size of Dominion Foundation grants?
   Because the Dominion Foundation supports a wide range of charitable programs, most grants are in the $1,000 to $15,000 range. Higher amounts may be awarded when a program is an exceptional fit with corporate business- or giving priorities or when there is significant employee involvement in the effort.
   
   
9. When do you accept proposals?
   Applications are accepted year-round, and there is no deadline for submitting requests. Organizations requesting support renewal, however, should submit applications no later than Sept. 1 of each year. Requests are not automatically renewed.
   
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10. When will I be contacted about the status of my grant request? How do I know you received my proposal?
    After you have completed your online application and selected "Send," you will receive an e-mail notifying you that the application has been received. A Corporate Philanthropy representative will notify you in a timely manner once a decision has been made on your grant or contribution request.
    
    
11. How long does it take for a grant to be processed?
    Funding requests are reviewed and approved by regional committees. The review process may take from two to six months, depending upon the size of the grant, since the Foundation Board must approve larger grants.
    
    
12. Does Dominion provide funding for most of the requests it receives?
    Dominion receives funding requests far in excess of its Foundation or corporate giving budget; accordingly, it must often decline support for otherwise worthy proposals. Such a response does not reflect in any way on the agency involved or on its services.
    
    
13. I have a proposal for the Dominion Foundation, where can I send it and to whom?
    The Dominion Foundation accepts proposals online. To apply for a grant, go to Application Process.
    
    
14. Who can I contact if I have questions?
    If you have questions about the Dominion Foundation or Corporate Contributions programs, e-mail us.

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