Jeff Lawrence and Diane Troth established The Lawrence Foundation in 2000 to support causes related to the environment, human services, and other issues. Since then, they have awarded 775 grants worth over $5.8 million.
Grants typically range from $5,000 – $10,000 and they make around 20 awards per grant cycle. Funding is given for one year projects, but grantees may apply every year. Applications are due at 11:59 PM CT on April 30 or October 31 through Common Grant Application. All applicants will be notified whether they have been funded or not and best efforts are made to issue checks by June 30 or December 31.
Eligibility
This grant is open to:
- Nonprofit organizations headquartered in the United States (programs may be carried out internationally)
- Public schools in the United States
- Libraries in the United States
Focus Areas
The Foundation was established to support environmental and human services organizations. They have also funded disaster relief programs and are open to other types of projects
Allowable Costs
Grants are described as ‘unrestricted’ and funding is available for projects, programming, and general operating costs. They also see spending 50% of the award on indirect expenses as acceptable.
However, they do have a list of activities that they generally don’t fund. These include:
- Music programs, including instruments
- Garden programs. including equipment
- Performing arts programs
- Physical education or recreational programs
- Computers and software
- Audiovisual equipment
- Production of videos or other promotional materials
- Nursing home or hospice programs
- Churches
- Non-public schools
- Individuals
- Political lobbying
- Voter registration
- Ticketed events
