Be it grant, application, or follow-up questions, if you need us for any reason, please contact us at info@lilynyc.org. We will respond as soon as possible. Please note: We are a small foundation and our office is now fully remote.
In the meantime, we have compiled an ongoing list of questions we’re frequently asked, and more importantly, their helpful answers.
Yes! To add a colleague as a new member of your organization, please follow these instructions.
You can also collaborate with a colleague on an application. Here’s how.
Yes! A sample application is available here.
No, the Foundation cannot accept applications from organizations or fiscal sponsors whose tax-exempt status is pending. Organizations applying for a grant must have received an IRS determination letter.
Yes, the Foundation accepts applications from organizations with a fiscal sponsor. Fiscal sponsor organizations must have a 501(c)3 status and be located within the five boroughs of New York City.
Fiscal sponsor organizations with a budget of over $1M must have a current audited financial statement not older than 18 months.
Fiscal sponsor organizations with budgets under $1M must present a current signed 990 not older than 18 months.
Yes, organizations may request general operating support or program support. It’s important to note that organizations with a $10M budget or larger must apply for a program.
Organizations or fiscal sponsor organizations with a budget over $1M must have an audited financial statement or signed 990 not older than 18 months.
No, individual members of the Board of Directors and Advisory Council initiate discretionary awards. We do not accept unsolicited proposals for discretionary awards. Discretionary awards are subject to approval by the Board and Advisory Council, and are not renewable.
Organizations should not apply for multi-year grants. The Foundation provides both one-time and multi-year grants. Generally most of the grants are one-time grants. Multi-year grant decisions are based on various factors.
Organizations may apply only once a year, and can only select one category per organization.
Human Services (January deadline)
Environmental (April deadline)
Arts (September deadline)
We ask that organizations choose the funding cycle that most closely aligns with the organization’s mission.
For example, a community center seeking funding for a garden project should apply in the Human Services cycle.
If a deadline falls on a weekend, the deadline is extended to the following business day at 5pm. You can always find the most up-to-date information on a current grant cycle’s deadline on the home page of the foundation’s grant portal.
The Foundation will not consider applications from the following:
• Individuals
• Programs for New York City residents outside of the five boroughs
• Research projects
• Mental health programs, medical services, hospitals, nursing homes, substance use disorder programs
• Universities or schools (public, private, or charter schools)
Once an organization receives support from Lily Auchincloss Foundation, please consult the Information for Grantees for procedures to follow including acknowledgement letters, reports, logos, and credits.
All acknowledgement letters should be submitted online via the grant portal.
After receiving a Foundation Grant or Discretionary Award, organizations are asked to provide an acknowledgement in PDF so that the Foundation has official documentation of our contribution.
The Foundation requires organizations receiving multi-year grants to submit an interim report.
Organizations receiving one-time grants are not required to submit a report. If you are a past grantee applying for renewed support, you may include a brief description of how the last grant was helpful to the organization in your proposal.
No final reports are required.
For additional information about reports, go to Information for Grantees
No, the Foundation does not require final grant reports.
We usually suggest organizations that re-apply for a grant to use a new application to describe how the last grant was helpful to the organization.
For additional information about reports, go to Information for Grantees
The Foundation’s logo can be dowloaded in PNG & EPS format here.
Should there be any publicity given a grant or award, grantees should acknowledge Lily Auchincloss Foundation by including our name as a supporter of the activities/projects/programs undertaken with the grant or award.
The Foundation may be listed in a general credit consisting of multiple funders either with or without our logo, or by specifically stating in the credit:
“This program/project was supported by a grant from the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.”
Yes, the Foundation still funds education programs.
At the end of 2017, the Foundation made changes to the guidelines by eliminating the education category. Organizations can still apply for education programs under one of the other categories (human services, arts or environmental) based on the organization’s mission and program content.
The Environmental grant cycle used to be called Environment/Preservation cycle until 2017.
The Environmental grant cycle is open to organizations whose mission relates to the preservation of New York City’s environment and history. We welcome your application for programs related to parks and gardens, waterways, environmental education, advocacy, and preservation.
Thank you for asking! We are no longer able to receive any mail as our office is now fully remote. We love to receive your newsletters and e-mail blasts and ask that you send them to us via e-mail at info@lilynyc.org.