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The Call Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.5M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
12%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.5 million (approximately)
  • Success Rate: 12% for new applicants
  • Grant Range: Varies widely - from small grants to $500,000
  • Average Grant: $42,305 (based on 2023 data)
  • Total Assets: $74.6 million (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Utah, with grants extending to the West and Midwest regions

Contact Details

Address: 185 South State Street, Suite 1200, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Phone: 801-364-1442

Website: https://calltoactionphilanthropies.org

Note: The Call Foundation is the grant-making arm of Call to Action Philanthropies, which also includes the Call to Action Foundation (private operating foundation).

Overview

The Call Foundation was established in 2007 by Crystal Maggelet to support Utah students who needed access to higher education and technical training. Since its founding, the Call Foundation and Call to Action Foundation together have invested more than $100 million to improve the lives of working families in the region. The foundation focuses on strengthening children and families by investing in early childhood education, early childhood and family mental health, food security, and scholarships. With total assets of $74.6 million and annual grants of approximately $3.5 million, The Call Foundation operates as a private family foundation of the Maggelet family. The foundation has expanded its reach from Utah to include Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, and other states across the West and Midwest.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood & Family Mental Health Grant Program

  • Supports organizations assisting children ages 0-8, parents, caregivers, and teachers
  • Ensures equal access to high-quality early childhood education and mental health services
  • Geographic restriction: Utah only for this program
  • Application method: Request for Proposals (RFP) issued periodically

General Grant-Making

  • Range: Varies from small grants to major awards of $500,000
  • Average grant size: $42,305
  • Approximately 61-83 grants awarded annually

Scholarship Program

  • Full cost of attendance (up to $25,000 annually) for eligible students
  • Four-year bachelor's or two-year associate's degree support
  • Serves students in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Nevada, and Utah

Priority Areas

Primary Focus:

  • Early childhood education (ages 0-8)
  • Early childhood and family mental health
  • Food security
  • Scholarships and access to higher education
  • Affordable housing

Funded Sectors:

  • Human services
  • Family services
  • Child welfare
  • Youth development
  • Education
  • Housing

What They Don't Fund

  • Political causes or events
  • After-school programs or tutoring
  • Capital requests (building purchases, renovations, vehicles, or technology)
  • Programs outside Utah (for early childhood grant program specifically)

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel:

  • Whitney Call - Chair/President
  • Drew Maggelet - Vice Chair and Director of Housing
  • Kathleen Tobey - Executive Director
  • Crystal Call Maggelet - Founder and CEO/Chairwoman of FJ Management Inc.

Crystal Call Maggelet has been recognized nationally for her family business leadership and serves on multiple boards including Utah State University Board of Trustees and United Way Salt Lake.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Call Foundation uses multiple application methods depending on the program:

Early Childhood Grant Program:

  • Periodic Request for Proposals (RFP) issued
  • Recent RFP deadline: May 24, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. MST
  • Full eligibility requirements detailed in RFP document
  • RFP available at calltoactionphilanthropies.org

General Grant-Making:

  • The foundation accepts applications from new applicants (12% of new applicants funded)
  • Specific application procedures should be confirmed by contacting the foundation directly at 801-364-1442 or via their website

Scholarship Program:

  • Separate application process through Call to Action Foundation
  • Annual deadline: February 21 at 5:00 p.m. MT
  • Application opens January 1

Decision Timeline

Based on typical foundation practices and grant-making patterns, decision timelines vary by program. Organizations should expect 3-6 months for decisions following RFP deadlines. For the early childhood program with a May 24 deadline, award decisions would typically be announced in summer/early fall.

Success Rates

  • New Applicants: 12% success rate
  • Total Grants Awarded: Approximately 61-83 grants annually (based on 2023 data)
  • The foundation is open to new applicants but maintains selective criteria aligned with their focus areas

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not publicly documented. Organizations that are unsuccessful should contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication opportunities and timing.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and funded organizations:

Strong Alignment with Focus Areas:

  • Early childhood education programs (ages 0-8)
  • Mental health services for children and families
  • Food security initiatives
  • Programs serving working families and underserved communities

Geographic Considerations:

  • Utah-based organizations have priority for early childhood grants
  • The foundation has expanded reach to West and Midwest states for other programs
  • Strong preference for organizations serving the foundation's geographic footprint

Recent Grantees Include:

  • Junior Achievement Utah ($500,000)
  • United Way of Salt Lake ($500,000)
  • Feeding America ($250,000)
  • National Park Foundation ($250,000)
  • YWCA Utah ($194,350)
  • Habitat for Humanity - Salt Lake Valley ($160,000)
  • American Red Cross
  • Children's Service Society
  • The Children's Center Utah (Therapeutic Preschool Program)
  • Prevent Child Abuse Utah (home visitation program)
  • 1999 Collective (supporting parenting foster care alumni)

Characteristics of Successful Applications:

  • Clear focus on children ages 0-8 and their families (for early childhood program)
  • Evidence-based approaches to service delivery
  • Strong organizational capacity
  • Demonstrated need in the community
  • Sustainable program models
  • Connection to working families and underserved populations

What to Avoid:

  • Capital requests for buildings, vehicles, or technology
  • Programs outside the stated focus areas (political causes, after-school tutoring)
  • Programs outside geographic service area (Utah for early childhood grants)
  • Applications that don't clearly demonstrate alignment with foundation priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Focus on early childhood: The Call Foundation's primary emphasis is on children ages 0-8, their families, and the systems that support them. Applications should clearly articulate impact on this age group.

  • Utah priority for core programs: While the foundation has expanded geographically for scholarships and some grants, Utah organizations have clear priority for the early childhood education and mental health grant program.

  • Competitive but accessible: With a 12% success rate for new applicants and openness to new organizations, the foundation is selective but not closed to newcomers with strong alignment.

  • Watch for RFP cycles: The early childhood program operates on an RFP cycle rather than rolling applications. Stay connected to their website or mailing list to catch these opportunities.

  • Large grants possible: The foundation awards grants ranging from small amounts to $500,000, with an average around $42,000. Don't self-select out if your project requires significant funding and demonstrates strong impact.

  • Family foundation values: As a family foundation, there may be particular interest in long-term relationships and sustained impact rather than one-time projects.

  • Contact directly: With limited public information about some application processes, don't hesitate to call 801-364-1442 to discuss your organization's fit and application procedures.

References

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