2010 Mehrgan FAQ
Last update: July 14, 2010
A. How to apply
B. Eligibility
E. Core focus areas and guiding principles
How to apply
Q: How should an organization apply?
A: First the organization should make sure that they are eligible (see below). Eligible organizations should submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through PARSA CF’s online LOI form. PARSA CF will review the LOIs submitted before the deadline, and will invite those that meet the minimum requirements to submit a full application.
Q: What is the deadline for submitting an LOI?
A: The LOIs must be submitted by end of day (midnight), June 15, 2010.
Q: Will the LOI deadline or any of the other deadlines be extended?
A: No. PARSA CF has always adhered to a strict policy of not accepting LOIs and applications received after the deadline.
Q: Will past grantees or applicants of PARSA CF have to submit an LOI?
A: Yes. Every applicant should submit an LOI.
Q: If I have two different projects that I want to apply for can I apply for them in the same application?
A: PARSA encourages you to submit two applications so that the merits of each project will be evaluated independently.
Q: Who is eligible to apply for a grant?
A: Nonprofit organizations with current 501(c)(3) public charity tax status from IRS, or equivalent, with a project that meets the following criteria:
- Benefits the Iranian or Persian language-speaking community.
- Matches priorities outlined in current PARSA CF request for proposal.
Q: Can an individual apply?
A: No. Only organizations with 501(c)(3) public charity or equivalent tax status can apply for grants.
Q: What is a 501(c)(3) public charity equivalent?
A: Legal and demonstrable non-profit status registration in another country.
Q: Can a project apply for a grant through a third-party fiscal sponsor?
A: Yes, if the fiscal sponsor submits the grant application on behalf of the project AND the fiscal sponsor provides a copy of its 501(c)(3) public charity determination letter from the IRS.
Q: I have a really great idea/project but have not set up a 501(c)(3) public charity or have applied but don't think my determination will be received in time for the LOI deadline. What options do I have? Can I submit the proof of my 501(c)(3) public charity after the LOI or application deadline as long as I can submit it before receiving a final grant award?
A: PARSA cannot consider LOI's without proof of 501(c)(3) public charity, fiscal sponsorship or equivalency, however PARSA encourages you to do one of the following:
- Explore ways to expedite your 501(c)(3) public charity application;
- Get fiscal sponsorship from another organization with 501(c)(3) public charity status;
- Or collaborate with a domain expert with 501(c)(3) public charity status
Q: Does the nonprofit organization have to be Iranian-American?
A: Not necessarily. As long as the project benefits Iranians or Persian language-speaking communities the nonprofit can apply.
Q: Can an organization apply for general support?
A: In general PARSA CF prefers projects with specific goals and timeframes. However if an organization can show that their mission and projects are all aligned with PARSA CF’s core focus areas and guiding principles, especially if they work towards capacity building, PARSA consider general support applications.
Q: Can an organization outside of the US apply?
A: Yes, but they should have a tax status equivalent to 501(c)(3) public charity. The burden will be on the organization to prove equivalency, in English. If the organization does any work with Iran, make grants or gives money to Iran, donates equipment or supplies to Iran, or has an office or operates in Iran, then they will need to have an OFAC license to be eligible.
Q. Can Iranian nonprofit organizations apply from Iran?
A: As long as they have a valid OFAC license, or apply through a US organization with a valid OFAC license, they can apply.
Q: Can organizations that work directly with Iran apply?
A: Yes, but like the Iranian nonprofits, they will need to have a valid OFAC license.
Q: What happens after the LOI is submitted?
A: PARSA CF will review the LOIs and will invite those that meet the minimum requirements to submit a full application. Full applications will be reviewed and scored based on PARSA CF’s guiding principles by an independent Grant Advisory Committee. The committee will recommend awarding or not awarding grants, and the amounts of the grants, to the PARSA CF Board of Directors. The board will make a final decision and will approve the list of grantees and amounts. The grantees are then contacted to sign the “grant agreement” letter for the grant, and will receive a check from PARSA CF.
Q: What are the important dates in this grant cycle?
A: The following dates and deadlines will not be extended:
- Deadline for submitting the LOI: June 15, 2010
- Deadline for submitting the full application: August 15, 2010
Q: Who makes the decision about which applications receive grants?
A: This is a three-part process involving numerous parties:
- PARSA CF Staff - review LOIs and vet applicants;
- Independent Grant Advisory Committee - evaluate and rank applications;
- PARSA CF Board - every grant requires 80% of the board to vote for approval.
Q: Would it be useful if I speak to members of PARSA CF Board or PARSA CF’s grant advisory committee that I know personally in order to further explain my project to them?
A: PARSA strongly encourages you to put all the information about your project in your application so that all persons involved in reviewing, ranking and approving grants have the same information with which to make an objective decision. Board and grant advisory committee members who have a close affiliation with an applicant will be asked to recuse themselves from voting on and ranking those applications.
Q: I've been asked to serve on the GAC committee and since my organization is planning on applying, or I have been involved with other organizations applying for a grant this cycle, should I decline the invitation?
A: No, you are still encouraged to join the GAC, you will just be asked to recuse yourself from evaluating the organization(s) that you are affiliated with.
Q: In the past PARSA CF grants have been in the $500-$50,000 range, when you say that PARSA CF will be awarding larger grants in this grant cycle, what is the range for grants you will make in this cycle?
A: Grants could be as small as $500 or as large as $500,000. In rare cases of organizations with exceptional proposals including significant leverage, larger grants might be considered.
Q: We are a small non-profit and always seem to be struggling with fundraising. It seems like if we had an endowment then we could just focus on our programs. Can we apply for an endowment grant?
A: Managing an endowment is very complex from an investment, accounting and compliance perspective, and is thus very cumbersome for a small non-profit to sustain. Additionally, annual income from a $1 million endowment at current rates could be as little as $35,000 - hardly enough to sustain a non-profit. Organizations with existing endowments and corresponding experience are more likely to be eligible for an endowment grant from PARSA CF.
Q: In the case where an individual donor makes a substantial contribution alongside with PARSA toward and endowment, how will this program be named?
A: Programs receiving substantial awards from PARSA would be named after PARSA. If an individual donor makes a donation equal to or greater than PARSA, then the program name will include the other donor as well as PARSA.
Q: What kind of scholarship fund is PARSA looking to fund?
A: A scholarship fund could benefit undergraduate students applying to U.S. universities from inside Iran. The fund could give as many scholarships as the proceeds on the principle could support. For undergraduate there is no study subject requirement.
Q: What kind of university graduate fellowship program is PARSA looking to fund?
A: A graduate fellowship program could provide financial assistance to outstanding Iranian or Iranian-American graduate students working toward masters or Ph.D. in Persian or Iranian Studies. The goal of such fellowship is to advance Persian studies. Fellowships could also support other fields related to PARSA’s mission, for example in the area of leadership development, non-profit leadership or public administration would be applicable.
Q: What is the minimum requirement on matching funds for endowment grants?
A: PARSA CF does not have a minimum requirement for matching funds.
Q: If a university has both eligible current use projects and an endowment grant request can they apply for both?
A: Yes. However please notice that these should be separate LOIs. A university can submit an LOI for a current use project, such as a lecture series, and a separate LOI for an endowment grant. If both LOIs are approved by PARSA the university will be invited to submit two applications. Also please note that endowment grants come with endowment restrictions. They are perpetual, cannot be reallocated, and cannot be spent down.
Q: Does PARSA have an overhead/administrative expense policy for grants made to universities?
A: Yes. PARSA's Grant Expense Policy is that grants to universities shall not be subject to overhead charges, administration fees, gift fees, or similar administrative costs.
Core focus areas and guiding principles
Q: What are the focus areas in which PARSA CF will award grants?
A: PARSA will consider grants to any project that furthers the common good of Iranian's and Persian-language speakers. In particular PARSA is interested in projects in these areas:
- Preservation of arts and culture
- Development of leaders
- Increasing civic engagement
- Women’s issues, environment, and recovery from addictions
- Humanitarian causes
Q: Why has PARSA CF expanded their interest area to include Women’s issues, environment, and recovery in this grant cycle?
A: A generous donor has allowed us to make grants related to these issues.
Q: Will PARSA CF award grants outside of the focus areas in this grant cycle?
A: Yes, PARSA encourages applicants to apply for grants in any area that meets needs within the Iranian and Persian-language speaking community. These could include medical and anti-defamation projects/organizations.
Q: Are previous PARSA CF grants a good indicator of future grants?
A: To some extent yes, but in this grant cycle PARSA CF is open to all creative ideas that benefit Iranians or Persian-language speakers.
Q: How do you define a religious organization?
A: All non-profits designated as such by the IRS, including mosques and churches.
Q: How do you define a political organization?
A: All non-profits designated as such by the IRS, including 501c4 or partisan organizations.