Michael and Karen Schley Foundation

• The foundation's stated focus on education and justice, and its aim of lasting change that addresses root causes and empowers the people served, is the first test of fit.
• It says it does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold application is unlikely to be considered and a grant writer should not send one.
• Half of its 22 grants to organisations were $12,000 or less, with the median at $12,000, so a modest request is the most realistic starting point; about 8 in 10 grants fall between $4,000 and $80,000, a typical band rather than a ceiling, since its largest grant was about $105,000.
• No geographic focus is stated, so an organisation outside North Carolina or Kenya should not assume it is excluded; the filing shows grants mainly in those two places, which is a pattern rather than a rule.
• Repeat support is a meaningful part of its giving, with 33% of its grant dollars to organisations going to groups it had also funded earlier, which suggests that building a relationship matters.

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

• NC Justice Center · To eliminte poverty in north carolina by ensuring that every household in the state has access to the resources, services, and fair treatment it needs to achieve economic security.
  $102,5002024 tax year
• Kongoni Network Community Based Organization · Improving computer and reading skills in kenya primary and secondary schools and for construction of the kongoni community library.
  $80,0002024 tax year
• North Raleigh Ministries · Provide emergency assistance to residents in north raleigh experiencing crisis and needing help with essential human needs.
  $55,0002024 tax year
• Millbrook Magnet High School Ptsa · Fund scholarships to deserving students to go to wake tech community college
  $14,4002024 tax year
• The Ifma Foundation · Promoting education for the facility management profession around the world and making fm a career of choice.
  $10,0002024 tax year
• Faith Ministry · To build houses, sponsor children, meet spirtitual and medical needs, and provide a community of fellowship.
  $10,0002024 tax year
• Hope College · Educating students for lives of leadership and service in a global society.
  $10,0002024 tax year
• Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church · Joining together as a community to serve the most vulnerable.
  $4,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.