Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grants

The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation is a private philanthropic organization that provides grants to community-based nonprofit organizations throughout the United States. The Foundation’s mission centers on supporting initiatives where a relatively small amount of funding can have a meaningful and measurable impact. Rather than focusing on narrowly defined priority areas, the Foundation takes a broad and flexible approach, considering a wide range of charitable activities including arts and culture, education, health, environmental protection, and social services. This approach allows applicants from diverse sectors to compete for funding based on the strength and clarity of their proposals. The Foundation offers funding support for both general operating expenses and specific programs or projects. Applicants are encouraged to request amounts that align with the Foundation’s typical grant range, which generally falls between $1,000 and $20,000. Funding is intended to support practical, well-defined uses that demonstrate clear benefit to the populations served. The Foundation expects that awarded funds will be expended within one year of receipt and requires a follow-up report describing how the funds were used within a six-month to one-year period after the award is made. Eligibility is limited to organizations based in the United States. This includes IRS-qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations as well as publicly supported institutions such as schools, universities, and government entities. Organizations may also apply through a fiscal sponsor if they do not have their own 501(c)(3) designation. The Foundation does not consider applications from individuals or for-profit entities. Applicants must provide required documentation, including a completed IRS Form 990 (or equivalent documentation for publicly supported entities), a letter of request, organizational summaries, and supporting financial materials. The application process is conducted through an online portal where organizations must create and maintain a single organization profile. Required components include two concise summaries describing the organization’s purpose and the intended use of funds, as well as a detailed letter of request that expands on these summaries. Additional required uploads include the organization’s most recent 990, an itemized program budget if applicable, and a copy of the IRS determination letter. Applications must be complete at the time of submission, as the Foundation does not accept supplementary materials after submission or provide opportunities for correction. The Foundation operates on a biannual funding cycle with two award rounds each year: Spring and Fall. Applications submitted between May 11 and November 10 are considered for the Spring Award Round, while those submitted between November 11 and May 10 are considered for the Fall Award Round. Applicants receive a status update by email several months after submission, followed by a final decision by mail if selected for further consideration. The Foundation does not allow applicants to apply in consecutive cycles and does not accept multiple submissions within the same round. Evaluation is based on the clarity and strength of the applicant’s case for support, particularly how effectively the proposed funding will create meaningful impact. The Foundation does not publish formal evaluation criteria or provide feedback on applications, and it does not engage in pre-application consultations. Applicants are encouraged to submit well before the deadline to avoid technical issues, though no preference is given based on submission timing within the application window. Questions not addressed in available materials may be directed to the Foundation via email or phone, but communication is limited due to the volume of inquiries received.

Focus on clear concise summaries that demonstrate impact; ensure all required documents are complete at submission; align request amount with typical funding range; submit early to avoid technical issues