We are able to consider letters of inquiry (LOIs) throughout 2009, but because of our reduced 2009 grant budget we have only a small amount of unallocated funds available and so prospects for support are extremely limited. LOIs submitted through September 1, 2009 will be considered for any remaining 2009 funding. LOIs submitted after August 1, 2009 will also be considered for funding in 2010. We will notify you if we would like to receive a proposal within 90 days of the date of submission. LOIs can be submitted anytime of the year except for the months of September and October.
Subprogram Overview
Within a thriving agriculture and food system that meets needs for nutrition, employment, and economic development, the goal of the Foundation’s agriculture strategy is to achieve a 20 percent reduction by 2020 in projected net greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen pollution caused by agriculture in the United States and biofuel production globally.
Through this strategy we seek to support work that broadly strengthens the role of agriculture in our society by improving the environment, improving nutrition and health, addressing hunger, and strengthening farming communities.
More information about this subprogram
How to Apply for Funding
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is a private foundation. We accept grant proposals only for charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, primarily from tax-exempt, charitable organizations. We do not provide funding for projects that benefit specific individuals or that serve religious purposes.
Step 1: Does your Project Fit within our Guidelines?
Your project may fit the general goals of a program, but it is important to read the guidelines carefully and completely to find out if your project:
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Addresses a program area for which we accept unsolicited proposals,
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Falls within the geographic boundaries indicated for that program area, and
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Supports the particular strategies we have adopted for that program area.
Step 2: Submit an Online Letter of Inquiry
If all of the above are true, we encourage you to submit a letter of inquiry using our Conservation and Science online letter of inquiry form. Please note the timeline outlined at the top of this page.
If you need assistance at any time during the online application process, please call our Conservation and Science Program at (650) 917-7210 or send an email to agric@packard.org.
The letter should provide a descriptive title and should explain your project's objectives, funding needs, and relationship to our specific grantmaking priorities. Letters of inquiry submitted online receive immediate confirmation that we have received the request. We will acknowledge receipt of letters of inquiry received by email or regular mail within three weeks.
Guidance for preparing your LOI:
We recognize the effort it takes to put together an LOI. In order to minimize the time you spend on this and maximize the value (particularly given the need to keep the LOI short), we recommend the following:
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Please do not give general background information on the environmental issues addressed, unless you would like to call to our attention issues that have not been outlined in our
Agriculture Strategy document.
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The LOI should focus on the goal of your project, the strategy for achieving that goal, outcomes you expect to achieve during the timeframe of the project, your partners, why your organization is well-suited for the work, and an approximation of budget and timeframe.
Step 3: The Invitation to Submit a Full Proposal
If your request fits within our program guidelines and priorities, you will be asked to submit a full proposal. You will be provided with the necessary information for completing the process at that time.
Step 4: Proposal Review and the Funding Decision
Staff members review each proposal carefully, and we generally meet with the applicant prior to making a recommendation. Foundation staff members will seek to coordinate the timing of the review process with grant applicants.
