Grant FAQs
The following questions and answers are designed to help organizations understand The Saigh Foundation’s funding priorities, application process, and guidelines. We encourage all prospective applicants to review this information carefully before beginning the application process. If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Does the Foundation support organizations outside the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area?
The Foundation does not provide support for programs and organizations outside of the St. Louis MSA. However, organizations operating nationally with an active presence serving St. Louis are eligible to apply. The Foundation’s geographic focus areas include the following counties (7) in Missouri: St. Louis City and County, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, and Warren. Counties (8) in Illinois include Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair.
What are the Foundation’s focus areas?
We focus our gifts on honoring Fred Saigh’s spirit of giving. By creating opportunities and access through education and health, children will have better chances of success throughout their childhood and into adulthood. Included in our core focus areas of Education and Health are:
- Abuse/Violence
- Academic Enrichment
- Access to Health
- Arts/Culture
- Basic Needs
- Behavioral/Mental Health
- College Prep
- Foster/Adoptive Care
- Maternal/Child Welfare
- PreK–12 Education
- Program Scholarship
- School Scholarship
- Workforce Development
- Youth Development
Does the Foundation have an application?
The Foundation has an electronic application for funding requests. Organizations may set up accounts on our website. Access the application. We strongly encourage first-time applicants to make an appointment with the Foundation to discuss their organization’s eligibility for funding.
What are the application deadlines?
The application deadlines*, along with award notifications, are as follows:
- January 15 – notification by the end of April
- April 15 – notification by the end of July
- July 15 – notification by the end of October
- October 15 – notification by the end of January
*If any of these dates fall on a weekend or holiday, applications should be submitted on the first business day after the date listed. For example, if July 15th is a Saturday, applications would be due on the next business day, which would be Monday, July 17th.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the above dates to be considered for each grant cycle.
Is there a suggested amount my organization should apply for?
Awards vary in size depending on the program or project. We appreciate organizations diversifying their support base and advise that agencies should not rely on the Foundation to fund the full budget for a program.
Does the Foundation make multi-year gifts?
Yes, the Foundation has made awards over two to ten years, depending on the type of project involved.
Does the Foundation require a report on the award?
The Foundation asks for a follow-up report nine months from the initial award (annually for multi-year awards). The Foundation requests that the recipient use the gift for the purposes indicated in the application.
Can I submit more than one proposal per year?
If awarded, the Foundation accepts no more than one proposal per year per organization. Those returning after one should submit a follow-up report to be considered for more support.
For organizations whose application was denied during a cycle, subsequent applications may be submitted in the forthcoming cycles.
How will my organization know if its application has been approved?
Once awards are confirmed at the Foundation’s quarterly meeting, awards and declinations are entered into each organization’s account. In some instances, phone calls are made with award information. Letters for stock transfers and checks will be mailed in the weeks following the decisions, and declination letters will be mailed following the meeting.
Additional questions?
Please contact the Foundation office at saigh@thesaighfoundation.org or call (314) 862-3055