The Genesis Foundation funds quality education programs, benefiting children 0 to 18 years old. While we give capital, operating, program, and general grants, we do not fund particular individuals. Neither do we support political or religious causes.

We offer multi-year grants that typically range from $10,000 to $100,000, although at times we may consider larger grants. We will also act as a sponsor of the project/program and engage our efforts in finding supplemental sources of funding for it.

In order to apply for a grant, you must meet certain preliminary criteria.

• Must be located in Colombia or the New York Metropolitan Area.
• Must be incorporated as a non-profit, charitable institution in the appropriate jurisdiction. In the US, must have received 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service.
• For detailed US Giving Guidelines, please click here. If your organization does not fall under one of these five categories, we encourage you to visit our website in the future to see if our guidelines have changed.
• Must have been in operation for a minimum of two (2) full years.
• Must include at least three (3) people in decision-making process at all times (their CVs or resumes will have to be provided).
• Must benefit a minimum of 50 people per year.
• In Colombia, must have raised at a minimum the equivalent of US $10,000 in the previous two years.
• In the US, must have raised a minimum of $20,000 in the previous two years.
• Must have an independent financial auditor.
• Must be able to provide audited financial statements for the previous three years (if in existence less than three years, for the full life of the organization)
• Must be able to provide a budget for the organization and the project for which the grant is sought.
• Must not be a political organization.
• Must not have a religious purpose.

Grant proposals are evaluated twice per year for organizations in Colombia, in May and November, once per year in the US, in May.

Grant proposals and all supporting documentation must be received by March 15th for Colombian and US organizations or September 15th (for Colombian organizations only) to be considered during the following review period. 

2010: We are not receiving unsolicited proposals for programs in the United States through this year.

If you meet the above preliminary criteria and would like to be considered for a grant, please fill out the Grant Inquiry Form. You will receive a reply from us within a month, indicating whether you should continue the submission process.

If we do state that you may be eligible to receive a grant, you must fill out the Grant Proposal Form and submit the information specified there. Depending on the character of your organization, please also fill out the Educational Institution Form or Complimentary Services Form.

Your proposal will be reviewed and submitted to the board of directors for approval, subject to our selection criteria. Proposals received in our office by March 15th can expect a reply by the second week of May; those received by September 15th, by the second week of November.

Before granting final approval to a proposal, we may require a site visit.

The organizations we support are expected to submit on-going financial and operations reports. At the end of a fiscal year, the organization must submit financial statements for that period; the planned budget and executed budget; an account of operational goals for the following year, and a goal-attainment report on the previous year's activities. At the half-year mark, it must present a revised budget for the current year, including the percentage of the budget completed to date. At the end of the grant, the organization must submit a full progress report and specify the exact use of all funds.

The recipient organization is required to inform the Genesis Foundation of any significant organizational changes (such as change in management, replacement of key personnel, alterations to budget, changes in the board of directors, changes in organizational documents or jurisdiction) within 30 days of their occurrence.

The Genesis Foundation reserves the right to deny funding to any organization or any project and is not required to state its reasons. It also reserves the right rescind funding at any time.

The Genesis Foundation prides itself on funding efficiently managed, high-quality programs that set high standards for themselves and those they serve. Therefore, our selection process is stringent.

With the documentation you provide us as well as a potential site visit, we will make sure you meet the following criteria:

• Efficient and professional management
• Low administrative costs
• Transparent and sound budgeting process
• Audited and sound financial statements
• Solid track record
• Effectiveness and penetration in the community
• Involvement of the community
• Long-term survival prospects of the project
• Potential for development of individuals who will be productive members of society