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Isabel Foundation

Decision Time
5mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Not publicly disclosed
  • Success Rate: Not available
  • Decision Time: Approximately 4-5 months (February submission to June notification)
  • Grant Range: Not publicly specified; examples show grants ranging from several thousand to $235,000+ for multi-year awards
  • Geographic Focus: United States (with emphasis on Christian Science organizations nationwide)

Contact Details

Address: 111 East Court Street, Suite 3D, Flint, MI 48502

Phone: 810-767-0136

Website: www.isabel.org

Email: caroleen@isabel.org (Caroleen Scholet, Program Officer)

Office & Foundant Administrator: Kim Coles

Overview

The Isabel Foundation was established in 1998 by Charles Stewart Harding Mott in honor of his wife, Isabel "Gerry" Mott. The foundation is an independent, non-profit private family foundation based in Flint, Michigan, with over 25 years of grantmaking experience. The foundation's mission centers on supporting the healing ministry of Christian Science, stemming from Isabel Mott's transformational healing experience with Christian Science as a teenager. At least 75 percent of the foundation's annual grants support Christian Science-related organizations, including camps, churches, schools, nursing facilities, collaboratives, and the Christian Science Monitor. The remaining grants reflect the founders' love of art through support for the Flint Institute of Arts and other Flint-area cultural and educational institutions. Claire Mott White, daughter of Isabel and C.S. Harding Mott, served as the first president and established the foundation's direction within the parameters designated by the articles of incorporation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Isabel Foundation offers standard grants and multi-year pledges through an online application portal managed through Foundant. Multi-year pledges are grant amounts committed for a specific number of years to a non-profit organization, during which no other grant proposals may be submitted.

Application Method: Online portal via Foundant (accessed through isabel.org)

Grant Cycle: Fixed annual deadline with decisions made by June

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes funding for:

  • Christian Science camps and youth programs
  • Christian Science nursing facilities and convalescent care
  • Christian Science schools and educational initiatives
  • Christian Science churches and religious organizations
  • The Christian Science Monitor and related media
  • Christian Science collaboratives and shared-value initiatives
  • Arts and cultural institutions (particularly in Flint area)
  • Education programs with shared values
  • Organizations supporting the healing ministry of Christian Science

Recent Grant Recipients (Fiscal Year 2023) include:

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint
  • The Branch School
  • Flint Institute of Arts
  • Broadview Christian Science Nursing (three-year grant of $235,000)
  • Noontide (Christian Science visiting nurse service for Michigan)
  • Friends of Camp Bow-Isle
  • Various Christian Science camps, nursing facilities, and educational programs

What They Don't Fund

  • Christian Science branch churches (explicitly stated as unable to fund at this time)
  • Organizations outside the United States
  • Organizations not registered as 501(c)(3) with the IRS
  • Solicitations from investment fund managers

Governance and Leadership

President & Trustee: Tiffany W. Lovett

Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary & Trustee: Ridgway H. White (also serves on the boards of the Mott Foundation, C.S. Harding Foundation, and other organizations)

Program Officer: Caroleen Scholet (joined in 2022; responsibilities include program development, grant application review, and grantee relations)

Office & Foundant Administrator: Kim Coles

The foundation operates as a private family foundation, continuing the legacy established by Isabel and C.S. Harding Mott and their daughter Claire Mott White.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Isabel Foundation uses an online grants management system administered by Foundant. All grant applications must be submitted through the online portal accessible via the foundation's website (www.isabel.org).

Initial Application: For first-time applicants, initial submission should be in the form of a letter explaining the organization and the purpose of the request. Grants are made primarily in June.

Returning Grantees: Organizations making a new grant request must complete the online application by February 1.

Decision Timeline

  • February 1: All grant proposals due (except for pledged or matching grants)
  • April - May: Program Officers and Trustees review proposals
  • June: Denial or confirmation letters and checks mailed out
  • December 15: Annual Progress Reports due from current grantees

Total Timeline: Approximately 4-5 months from submission to decision

Success Rates

Success rates and application volume data are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Multi-year pledge recipients may not submit other grant proposals during the period of their pledge. Organizations must complete their Progress Report by December 15 of each year and request the pledges in the appropriate years. Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly specified.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's publicly available information and funding patterns:

Alignment with Christian Science Mission: The foundation explicitly requires that at least 75% of annual grants support Christian Science causes. Organizations must demonstrate clear support for the healing ministry of Christian Science to be competitive for funding.

Connection to Isabel Mott's Legacy: The foundation was established to continue Isabel Mott's passion for art, beauty, and healing. Applications that reflect these values while supporting Christian Science ideals align strongly with the foundation's mission.

Geographic Connections: While the foundation accepts applications from Christian Science organizations nationwide, they maintain a special connection to Flint-area arts and cultural institutions, reflecting Isabel and Claire Mott's love of art.

Multi-Year Potential: The foundation offers multi-year pledges, suggesting they value long-term relationships with organizations demonstrating sustained impact and reliable stewardship.

Progress Reporting: Current grantees must submit annual progress reports (1-2 page summaries) by December 15 through the Foundant dashboard, indicating the foundation values accountability and clear communication about grant fund usage.

Christian Science Youth Programs: The foundation has consistently supported Christian Science camps and youth programs, recognizing the importance of summer camp experiences as laboratories for young Christian Scientists.

Visiting Nurse Services: Support for Christian Science nursing facilities and visiting nurse services like Noontide demonstrates commitment to the healing ministry infrastructure.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Christian Science alignment is essential: Organizations must support the healing ministry of Christian Science and be located in the United States with 501(c)(3) status
  • Branch churches are excluded: Despite the foundation's support for Christian Science causes, they explicitly cannot fund Christian Science branch churches at this time
  • Use the Foundant portal: All applications must be submitted through the online Foundant system; familiarize yourself with this platform before the deadline
  • February 1 deadline is firm: Returning grantees making new requests must complete applications by February 1; plan accordingly as decisions won't be made until June
  • Consider multi-year requests: The foundation offers multi-year pledges, which may be appropriate for larger initiatives with sustained funding needs
  • Progress reports matter: Current grantees must submit concise (1-2 page) progress reports annually by December 15, demonstrating the foundation values stewardship and communication
  • Flint arts connections: While Christian Science causes receive priority, Flint-area arts and cultural organizations may have opportunities, reflecting the founders' love of art

References

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