FAQ for KWFF Grants Request and Application Process

Thank you for your interest in the Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation. We want to ensure you have access to the proper information, so we have created this FAQ to help you understand the steps required to become a grant partner. All of our submissions are received online where you will have an established account to track your grant applications and grant requirements. We have three grant cycle submissions each year.

Deadlines for Submission:	Grant Awards Announced:
January 15	March 30
June 15	August 30
August 15	November 30

KWFF Eligibility Requirements

In order to become a grant partner, there are several required steps.

1. The organization must have an established and current operating 501c3 status.
2. The organization must be impacting the Greater Memphis area, unless otherwise specified or invited by the foundation or a Wilson family member to apply.
3. The organization must show leadership with its staff as seen in the results of programs or the success of the overall organization’s mission.
4. All potential applicants must read about our foundation and our foundation’s interests and giving categories.
5. The organization must apply through our online grants management system which can be accessed by clicking the button below.
6. The organization must provide sound financials (either audited or balance sheets).
7. The organization must provide a list of its established board members

Once all of the information above is completed, an applicant may create an account and apply for a grant.

Applying for the Right Amount

We have created two grant amount categories: Impact Grants (10K or greater) and Mini Grants (10K or less). In order to apply for an Impact Grant, an organization must have an existing relationship with KWFF and may not be a new partner seeking funding for the first time. If you are a new organization to us with no prior gift record with KWFF, you are only eligible to apply for a Mini Grant.

All Mini Grants are given in the form of one-year commitments and are eligible for renewal if the organization reapplies the next year. Please note there is no guarantee you will receive funding the second time you apply for the same or similar funds.

All Impact Grants are given in the form of either one-year commitments or pledge commitments of up to five years. Once the term of the grant has been reached, an organization will only be able to apply for a Mini Grant the following year.

*If applying for $50,000 or more, please contact Executive Director Lauren Young at lyoung@kwilson.com for approval to apply for this amount.

Create/Manage Your Account

Step 1: Please review our mission statement, giving categories and area of service to ensure your work aligns with our grant-making intentions. This information is found on our home page at www.kwilsonff.com.

Step 2: Every organization must have created an account in order to apply for a grant request. There is only one designated account for each organization. If you already have an account, log in with your email address and password. If you do not have an account, you must create one. If at any time you do not know the login credentials for your organization, please contact our Grants Management Officer at 901-328-5037 or gmo@kwilson.com.

Existing Accounts

All existing accounts should use the Log-In To My Account link to see their saved applications and requirements. If you have already started a new application or grant update after June 2011, you will find it in your account. If you created an application or grant update on or before this date, you will not see it in your account.

Filling out a New Grant Application

Step 1: New and existing accounts must log in at the Start a New Application link at www.kwilsonff.com.

Step 2: Once you have logged into your account with your email address and password, you will be required to complete the eligibility quiz.

Step 3: If you do not pass the eligibility quiz, you either do not have a qualifying 501c3 organization with proper tax id or you are operating outside of the Greater Memphis area. We also do not accept applications for special events.

Step 4: Once you have been approved, you will be directed to the grant application questions. The application will be saved as you work. If you log out, you will be able to access your information at any time by logging back into your account.

Step 5: Please ensure you have answered all required fields in the grant application. You will not be able to submit if all required fields are not completed.

Step 6: Please upload all of the required forms as listed in the grant application. If you do not have audited financials, please upload a document explaining why but title it “Audited Financials.” Required forms include a list of the active Board of Directors, proof of 501c3 status, Audited Financials and Current Annual Operating Budget and/or Itemized Project Expenses.

Step 7: If you have completed steps 1–6, your application is ready to submit. Once you click Submit, you will receive a confirmation of receipt within 24 hours of submission. If you do not receive this, check your spam filter. Your spam firewall will need to exclude 64.14.182.170 from SPF checking or whitelist the IP altogether if you want to receive copies of the emails sent from the application.

If you still have not received a confirmation, please contact our Grants Management Officer at gmo@kwilson.com.

Step 8: Once an application has been received, it generally takes up to three months for a funding decision to be made. You may be contacted in the first month to clarify questions, set up a site visit, etc. You should also receive a midway update to notify you of any recommendations being made regarding your grant application.

Step 9: Notifications of grant decisions are made through phone calls, emails and grant letters in the months of March, August and November.

Step 10: If you have concerns, questions or additions to your grant request at any point throughout the grant application process, you may contact our Grants Management Officer at gmo@kwilson.com.