FAQs
1. Who is behind Better Together Fund?
Sponsorship and oversight of Better Together Fund is provided by its steering committee, the members of which are appointed by the Better Together Fund donors: The Dallas Foundation, LH Capital, Inc., Meadows Foundation, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and Hoblitzelle Foundation. Grants are approved by the Steering Committee.
2. What size are the grants?
We offer three grant types designed to meet organizations where they are in their collaboration stage, with a maximum award amount at each stage, ranging form $15,000 to $65,000. Each funding request is considered independently.
3. How many grants will be awarded?
We do not have an anticipated number of grants to award. We will review any grant request at any time for any cause. Our grants are on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.
4. Can a nonprofit organization receive funding to collaborate with a for-profit or government partner?
Yes! Better Together Fund encourages cross-sector collaboration. Better Together Fund believes that the nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors have unique strengths and limitations, and impactful change can be achieved when the sectors work together.
Collaborations applying for a Better Together Fund Grant must include at least one non-profit partner. However, we encourage all nonprofit organizations to be creative and look to other sectors when considering partnerships and collaborative efforts.
5. Will a Better Together Fund application or funding allocation preclude my organization from receiving support from the individual funding partners?
Funding requests to Steering Committee members unrelated to the Better Together Fund will not be prejudiced. Applying for Better Together Funding does not preclude applying to other funding sources made available by participating funders.
The participating foundations believe that nonprofit boards, leaders and funders should routinize the consideration and practice of formal collaboration as an important strategic option. Organizations that make the decision to undertake the hard work of exploring such activities should be acknowledged, encouraged and supported by funders with additive funding.
6. What if I still don’t want my funder (a steering committee member) to know that we’re exploring these options at such an early stage?
All Steering Committee members recognize that confidentiality can play an important role in this process, especially during the early conversations. The Steering Committee will work with interested applicants to understand the confidentiality needs for each situation and address them accordingly.
Interested applicants may choose to contact any representative from the Steering Committee to schedule a preliminary consultation. This required first step of the application process can be kept confidential with the representative the applicant chooses to contact upon request. However, once the applicant decides to submit a LOI (the second step of the application process), the entire Steering Committee will be made aware of the proposed collaboration.
7. What geographic area does the Better Together Fund Support?
Funding priority is given to collaborative initiatives that serve constituents in Dallas County. However, initiatives that serve other North Texas communities are welcome to apply.
8. What is the funding period for grants?
Better Together Fund grants are designed to meet organizations where they are. The grant period for each grant will be defined based on the applicant's project needs, timeline, and budget.
9. My organization is new, and therefore does not have the required financial statements. Can we still apply?
Yes! Better Together Fund asks that new initiatives or organizations provide equivalent financial documentation, such as a board-approved budget.
10. Can partner organizations submit multiple applications for multiple unique collaborative ideas?
If the same set of partner organizations have multiple collaborative ideas, Better Together Fund asks that only the strongest idea be submitted for review. A single organization can submit multiple applications for multiple unique ideas so long as each collaboration has a different set of partner organization(s).