Grant Process

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.