Grant Process
Inquiry
Rockwell Fund makes grants for general operations, programs or projects, capacity building, planning and evaluation. (See WHAT WE FUND.)
We do not give grants directly to individuals. Generally, grants are made to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations.
All new and prior applicants (not currently funded) must first complete an online Letter of Inquiry (LOI). Check our Grant Review Schedule, on this page, to determine the correct time for submission. Current Rockwell grantees can continue to Step 2 – Application.
Grant Application
If your LOI was approved, you will receive a Grant Application Packet from our Grants Administrator via email and be assigned to a program officer.
Current grantees will receive updated Grant Application Packets three months prior to the quarterly meeting for the relevant interest area. Please refer to the Grant Review Schedule for Grant Application deadlines.
We only accept electronic submission of completed applications via email. We do not accept applications sent via fax, mail or hand delivery. Email an electronic copy of a completed application plus all requested attachments per the Grant Application Checklist in one email to grantsinfo@rockfund.org.
Grant Application Review
Once a full application packet has been received, it will be reviewed by program staff who may request a site visit.
Please understand that an invitation to submit an application packet does not guarantee that the application will be approved.
Grant Decisions
After each quarterly Board meeting, applicants are notified by email regarding the disposition of their request.
Organizations selected for funding will receive a grant agreement letter via email, which must be printed, signed, scanned and returned via email to the Grants Administrator. Funds are typically disbursed within 30 days of Board approval, pending receipt of an executed grant agreement letter. Organizations not selected for funding will receive an email informing them of the Board’s decision within 14 days.
2024 Grant Review Schedule
1st quarter
Issue area
Special Initiatives
LOI Submissions Deadline
RFI does not accept LOIs for special initiatives. Grant proposals are by invitation only.
Grant Application Submissions Deadline
To be determined
Board Meeting
March 21, 2024
2nd quarter
Issue area
Health, Capacity Building
LOI Submissions Begin
January 2, 2024
LOI Submissions Deadline
March 1, 2024
Grant Application Submissions Deadline
April 5, 2024
Board Meeting
June 6, 2024
3rd quarter
Issue area
Housing, Capacity Building
LOI Submissions Begin
March 25, 2024
LOI Submissions Deadline
May 24, 2024
Grant Application Submissions Deadline
July 3, 2024
Board Meeting
September 5, 2024
4th quarter
Issue area
Education, Capacity Building
LOI Submissions Begin
June 10, 2024
LOI Submission Deadline
August 9. 2024
Grant Application Submissions Deadline
September 13, 2024
Board Meeting
December 5, 2024
Does Rockwell Fund favor funding projects over general operating support?
All requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Between 2021-2023, 60% of grants were for project/program support; 40% of grants were for general operating support.
Do you fund specific target population groups such as the elderly, children, persons who are homeless, persons with AIDS, victims of domestic abuse, etc.?
Grants are based on our stated areas of interest but we take into consideration the demographics served by grantees and may therefore benefit particular groups.
My arts organization wishes to apply for a program that will benefit school-aged children. Would our application then be considered in the education category?
We categorize requests according to the status of the applicant. If the applicant is primarily an arts organization, we consider the request as such, and the request would not fall within our stated interest areas. If the applicant is an organization that furthers our stated goals under our education portfolio, we consider it in the education category.
My organization is not in the Houston area. Is it eligible for a grant?
Generally, no. While Rockwell Fund has no legal restrictions against making grants outside of the Houston area, as a matter of policy our trustees have elected not to do so, except in cases where the purpose of the grant is to benefit a Houston cause.
Are there projects and program areas for which Rockwell Fund will not make grants?
As a matter of policy, we do not fund the following:
- Annual fund drives
- Capital campaigns
- Direct mail or other mass solicitations
- Endowments
- Grants that impose the exercise of “expenditure responsibility” upon Rockwell Fund; for example, private operating foundations or certain support organizations
- Houses of worship
- Individuals
- Medical or scientific research projects or organizations that target a specific disease
- Parochial or private primary and secondary schools
- Underwriting for benefits, dinners, galas, golf tournaments or other fundraising or special events
Can I get a college scholarship from Rockwell Fund?
We do not award scholarships directly to individuals. We have endowed scholarship funds at universities. Some of those funds bear the names of our foundation or one of the members of its founding family. Those institutions select the individual scholarship recipients.
Our organization has never received funding from Rockwell Fund. Before submitting an Inquiry Form, may we discuss our needs with your staff to see which one has the best chance of being funded?
The number of requests we receive, together with the relatively small size of our staff, leaves limited staff time available for face-to-face meetings with prospective applicants. We encourage you to review our website to become acquainted with the kinds of organizations and projects that Rockwell Fund supports. Our mantra is “ask for what you need.”
Do you accept Inquiry Forms sent by mail/fax?
No, we encourage you use our online system.
How will I know if you received my Inquiry Form?
Our online inquiry system will automatically generate a notification message upon successful submission of your completed form.
What information, documents and forms do I need to send?
Please do not submit any additional documents or forms with your completed Inquiry Form. Staff will contact an applicant if further information is needed.
Will you make a site visit?
Site visits are not made for applicants in the inquiry phase. Should your organization be invited to submit a grant application, staff will determine if a site visit is needed.
How long does your inquiry review process take?
Inquiries will ordinarily be considered within one month of their receipt, although it may take longer if the staff or trustees believe it warrants further study. Your organization will receive the outcome of your LOI on or before two weeks after the LOI submission deadline.
If our inquiry was declined, will we be told the reason?
In general, none is provided to applicants. If the trustees or staff have views or information that they believe would be useful to an unsuccessful applicant, these are conveyed personally, usually through a program officer.
When should a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) be submitted?
An LOI must be submitted during the calendar year for which a grant is sought. Check our 2024 Grant Review Schedule to determine the correct time period for submission.
How many LOIs may be submitted?
One LOI for a subject matter area may be submitted annually.
How many grant applications by be submitted?
Grant applications may be submitted by written invitation only.
How will I know if you received my application?
We acknowledge receipt of every proposal by email within a week.
What information, documents and forms do I need to send?
Please refer to the Grant Application Checklist (a listing of all required accompanying documents and items) which is included in your Grant Application Packet.
How long does your grant application review process take?
The grant review process typically takes two months to complete, although it may take longer if the staff or trustees believe it warrants further study.
When will grant applications be acted upon?
Grant applications will typically be considered within the quarter designated to the Issue Area the proposal is targeting.
If our application was declined, will we be told the reason?
In general, none is provided to applicants. If the trustees or staff have views or information that they believe would be useful to an unsuccessful applicant, these are conveyed personally, usually through a program officer.
What size grants does Rockwell Fund make?
Grant size depends on the project. Please see our list of Past Grantees for examples.
Rockwell Fund seems like the best fit for our request. Should we apply to other funding sources?
Yes, we prefer to award grants to organizations that have multiple sources of support.
To what organizations have grants been made in the past?
Please see our list of Past Grantees.
Does Rockwell Fund publish an annual report?
We do not publish an annual report; however, much of the information usually found in an annual report is located on or linked to in our website. Grant information for the previous year is available on our website.
Who are your trustees? What are their addresses?
See our Leadership page for a list of our trustees. Mail for all trustees should be sent to them in care of Rockwell Fund, Inc., 3555 Timmons Ln., Suite 950, Houston, Texas 77027.
Is your foundation related to Rockwell International, Rockwell Space or the Norman Rockwell Estate?
Despite the similarity of our names, there has never been a family or business connection between our foundation and these three entities.
3555 Timmons lane, SUITE 950, HOUSTON, TX 77027