Understanding the Mott Foundation’s Funding Scope
The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation awards grants in the United States and, to a certain extent, internationally. While the foundation is open to innovative ideas and projects, funding for unsolicited requests is limited. Potential applicants interested in receiving funding must first submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) form. This helps Mott Foundation’s program staff assess the relevance of your proposed project to their programs and provides guidance on whether a complete proposal submission is advisable.
Reviewing Program Guidelines and Limitations
Before sending an LOI, it’s crucial to thoroughly review the foundation’s programs, funding interests, and limitations. This ensures that your organization and project goals align with the foundation’s support areas. The key program areas are:
- Civil Society
- Education
- Environment
- Flint Area
The foundation does not fund certain types of projects, such as individual loans or grants, local projects not part of a national Mott-planned initiative (outside the Flint area), or projects overlapping with governmental work. Additionally, film, video projects, books, scholarships, and fellowships are rarely funded.
Geographic Considerations for Funding
Alongside funding in the United States, the Mott Foundation supports international organizations to promote civic engagement, enhance community philanthropy, and increase access to justice. Specifically, the Education Program funds only within the U.S., while the Environment Program mainly focuses on the Great Lakes region but selectively extends to international organizations for sustainable development initiatives. The Flint Area Program supports a wide array of projects in Flint and Genesee County, Michigan.
Submitting Your Letter of Inquiry
If your organization and project align with the Mott Foundation’s interests and guidelines, you may proceed by completing the LOI form. For non-U.S. organizations, all submissions must be in English and sent by a charitable, educational, or governmental body. The preferred method of submission is through the online LOI form for a timely response. Alternatively, you can mail your LOI to:
Office of Proposal Entry
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Mott Foundation Building
503 S. Saginaw Street, Suite 1200
Flint, MI 48502-1851
U.S.A.
For more details on the application process, visit the Mott Foundation’s grantseekers page.