The Pohlad Family Foundation carefully selects the capital grant requests it considers. A small number of unsolicited capital grants are considered and approved each year.

Qualified/Unqualified Purposes. Capital requests are considered only for physical plant improvements or significant technology investments needed by nonprofit organizations. Capital requests for housing construction, endowment, program start-up or expansion or to establish operating reserves are not considered.

Amount Considered. Most requests will be considered for amounts up to 10% of the qualified expenses in the campaign or $1 million, whichever is less. Capital grants are expected to range from $50,000 to $250,000.

Submission and Required Materials. Requests should be submitted as described below. The Foundation prefers considering requests from organizations that have secured 50% of the needed funds.

A two-step process is used for capital grant requests. The first step determines whether a request will be reviewed, the second step requires additional information and includes a review of the entire organization as well as the request itself.

Step 1. A one-page letter requesting a specific amount along with a capital campaign case statement, campaign timeline/schedule, list of fundraising prospects and list of pending and future requests (and amounts requested) and the status/result of those requests should be submitted. Letters should be submitted by June 15 of each year. A decision about whether to review the proposal will be made within one-month of submission.

Step 2. Organizations whose requests are selected for review will also be asked to submit, by August 1 of the same year:

• Capital campaign feasibility study;
• Project (Construction/technology installation) plan and timeline;
• Current strategic plan approved by board;
• List of board members with affiliations;
• Independent financial audits for two most recent fiscal years;
• Most recent annual report; and
• IRS letter confirming 501(c)3 tax-exempt status

Review Schedule. Requests selected for consideration will be reviewed during the fall of each year. Final decisions will usually be made by December 15 of the same year.

The review will include an evaluation of the organization's governance, management, program outcomes and financial health. Evidence of an active and properly involved board, excellent and responsive management, external program evaluation and appropriate responses to improve outcomes, and financial health will be sought.

The review will also consider the need and size of the capital campaign. Questions will include:

• Is the capital request responding to a well-documented need?
• How will hoped-for improvements increase the capacity, effectiveness, efficiency, quality and/or overall success of the organization?
• How/when will the organization evaluate the impact of the planned improvements?
• How are board members, staff and volunteers involved in the campaign?
• Are improvement plan costs reasonable?

If construction project:

• Will any external changes enhance the area in which the building in located?
• What is the schedule for building?
• How will staffing be affected by the new facility?
• Is there a long-range plan for financing increases in operating changes resulting from the new facility?