Grant proposals are accepted through a Request for Proposals process which aligns with our focus areas. The Rapides Foundation is not accepting unsolicited proposals at this time. It is the role of The Rapides Foundation Program Staff to assist you in understanding the Foundation’s funding opportunities and areas of focus. Importantly, it is the role of Program Staff to assist you in putting forward the most competitive written proposal possible. We encourage you to contact The Rapides Foundation Program Department prior to developing or submitting a grant proposal. Contact the Foundation’s Program Department at 318-443-3394 or toll free at 800-994-3394.

The Rapides Foundation awards grants to organizations which are tax-exempt under IRS Section 501(c)(3) and are not a private foundation as described under Section 509(a). Specific Requests for Proposals may include additional eligibility requirements.

Grant decisions are made through the combined effort of the Budget and Grants Committee of the Board of Trustees and the full Board. Staff provide recommendations to the Budget and Grants Committee based upon some or all of the following procedures: analysis of the written proposal; consultation with experienced program leaders and researchers in the field; site visits and meetings with project staff and Board; and experience with your organization or contributing personnel on prior grants.

The Rapides Foundation excludes the following from funding consideration:

• Direct support to individuals.
• Private foundations.
• For-profit entities.
• Conferences or symposia established prior to 1995.
• Disease-specific organizations seeking support for national projects or programs.
• Hospitals.
• Projects or programs of religious, fraternal, athletic or veterans groups when the primary beneficiaries of such undertakings would be their members.
• Social events or similar fundraising activities.
• Telethons.
• Operating expenses which are not used for significantly expanding the services of organizations currently in operation.
• Grant awards for an indeterminate period of time.
• Vans or other vehicles.
• Building purchase or renovation not explicitly linked to enhanced programmatic implementation or development.
• Equipment purchase not explicitly linked to enhanced programmatic implementation or development.