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Q. What types of projects does the Foundation fund?

The Foundation funds direct service programs, educational initiatives, and research projects that enhance the quality of life of older persons in the U.S.. We also have a special interest in innovative projects that have the potential to affect the scope and shape of services delivered to the elderly across the country.

Beginning in 2005, The Retirement Research Foundation's geographic restrictions will apply only to requests for support of direct service projects. Such direct service requests will only be considered from applicants in seven states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, Wisconsin, and Florida. Requests for support of other types of projects will be considered from applicants in any U.S. location.

Q. What kinds of projects does the Foundation generally not fund?

Funding is not available for:

Construction of facilities
General operating expenses of established organizations
Endowment or developmental campaigns
Grants to individuals
Projects outside the U.S.
Dissertation research
Production of films and videos
Projects of governmental organizations except for state universities, Area Agencies on Aging, and programs of the Veterans Administration.

Funding is not generally available for:

Biomedical research
Computer equipment
Conferences, publications, or travel, unless they are components of other Foundation-funded projects

Q. Does the Foundation invest in a particular geographic region?

The Foundation has a strong interest in serving the Chicago metropolitan area. Where projects of equal significance are under consideration, priority is given to proposals that benefit this geographic area.

Q. Does the Foundation use a formal application form?

The application guidelines provide detail on the information we seek. Chicago-area applicants may use the common application form developed by Donors Forum, but only for direct service projects.

Q. When are proposals due?

February 1, May 1, and August 1. Submissions can be postmarked with the deadline date. We acknowledge by letter receipt of all proposals within two weeks.

Q. How should proposals be formatted?

We prefer that proposals include a two-to-three page executive summary written in lay language. There is no limit on length. Applicants should follow the Foundation’s application guidelines, which describe the required content in detail. Many of the proposals we receive are for complex research or demonstration projects, and we recognize that a certain amount of detail is necessary to explain the program and its implementation. We expect these types of proposals to be of the same quality and detail that would be submitted to one of the national institutes, such as the National Institute of Aging or the National Institute of Health. Extensive technical or methodological information should be treated as appendices to the main proposal.

Q. Who reviews proposals?

The Foundation frequently uses outside reviewers to help staff assess proposals. The decision to utilize outside technical review is done on a proposal-by-proposal basis. There is no formal committee of reviewers.

Q. How long is the Foundation’s review process?

It generally takes four to six months.

Q. Does the Foundation fund multi-year projects?

The Foundation funds projects for up to three years. Organizations seeking multi-year funding should submit proposals for the entire period of their request and include line-item budgets for each year.

Q. Is there a limit to the size of grants that are approved?

There are no limits. In 2007, grants ranged in size from $2,500 to $294,891 (including both single- and multi-year grants). The average grant was $56,557.

Q. Does the Foundation allow an overhead rate in proposals?

Yes. But it is limited to a maximum of 10 percent of the total project costs.