THE FOUNDATION USES AN ONLINE GRANT SYSTEM THAT REQUIRES ALL FUNDING REQUESTS AND FOLLOW-UPS (E.G., GRANT AWARD AGREEMENTS AND REPORTS) TO BE SUBMITTED ONLINE. THE GRANTMAKING SYSTEM CAN BE ACCESSED BY GOING TO THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE (HTTPS://NELSONFOUNDATIONPA.ORG) AND CLICKING ON THE "ONLINE APPLICATION" BUTTON. REQUESTS FOR GRANT FUNDING INCLUDE A LETTER OF INQUIRY (LOI) AND AN APPLICATION, IF INVITED AFTER THE LOI PHASE, BE SUBMITTED. THE CHANGE CHAMPIONS GRANT PROGRAM WAS INVITATION-ONLY AND REQUIRED ONLY AN APPLICATION BE SUBMITTED. THE CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM DID NOT AWARD GRANTS IN 2024.

THE FOUNDATION MAKES GRANTS ONLY TO 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALIGN WITH ITS MISSION TO SERVE YOUNG PEOPLE, THEIR FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE SO THAT YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA REGION CAN EXPERIENCE THEIR FUTURES IN HEALTHY, THRIVING, AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES. AS THE FOUNDATION BELIEVES THAT IMPACT MAY BE GREATEST WHEN SUPPORTING SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS, FUNDING IS RESTRICTED TO ORGANIZATIONS WITH ANNUAL EXPENSES UNDER 2.5 MILLION. GEOGRAPHICALLY, THE FOUNDATION ONLY MAKES GRANTS TO ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE PRIMARY SERVICE AREA IS IN CHESTER, DELAWARE, MONTGOMERY, AND PHILADELPHIA COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA. ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR GRANT AWARDS IF THE PROGRAMMING PROVIDED IS -DROP-IN- OR LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS IN DURATION. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FROM HOSPITALS OR MEDICAL FACILITIES, SCHOOLS (PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR CHARTER), COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES, OR DAYCARE FACILITIES. THE FOUNDATION WILL NOT SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS, SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, FUN