Frequently Asked Questions about Donations to Organizations

Currently, the Philanthropic Services unit of the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF) invites nonprofit organizations to apply for private grants. However, there is the possibility of public solicitations open to organizations without the need for an invitation.

If you are interested in applying for a donation, please visit fcpr.org/donations-and-scholarships/ periodically to learn about our open calls. In addition, you can email the Philanthropic Services Unit at becasydonativos@fcpr.org, The information you provide should include your organization's mission and vision, impact population, contact information, and a cover letter. With this information, we will be able to add your organization to our database and consider you for future calls for proposals.

FCPR is an organization that follows government regulations, so organizations must comply with them. However, if your organization does not have a local tax-exempt status, you may be able to receive a donation with the support of an organization that acts as a fiscal sponsor. It is important to emphasize that your organization is responsible for having a fiscal sponsorship agreement along with the required documentation that validates the fiscal sponsor's exemption and compliance with governmental nonprofit certifications.

All applications received are preliminarily evaluated by the staff of the Philanthropic Services Unit of the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF). This preliminary evaluation includes a review of the work plan, budget and required documents. Outstanding applications are then recommended to an evaluation committee appointed by the FCPR, composed of representatives from the Fund, the community and the FCPR. This committee conducts a final evaluation and selects the organizations that will benefit.

Philanthropic Services Unit staff will contact you regarding the status of your application within 8 weeks of the close of the solicitation. You will receive an award or denial letter from FCPR when the selection and approval process is complete.

The maximum amount granted per gift is specified in the Application Guidelines and varies by Fund. If this information does not appear in the Application Guide, you may write an e-mail to becasydonativos@fcpr.org.

Grants awarded by the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF) have certain exclusions and restrictions, which vary by Fund. These exclusions may include:

• Equity or trust funds.
• Current operating expenses of an established organization, not related to submitted projects.
• Operating deficit. Reduction or cancellation of obligations incurred by the organization, or replacement of capital used for these purposes.
• To cover registration fees for associations, galas or special events.
• Purchase of vehicles, nor the donation of vehicles.
• Purchase or rental of equipment, unless it is of vital importance for the development of a project and does not constitute the project itself.
• Publications (including books, magazines, journals, newspapers, theses, films or any other audiovisual material), unless they are an integral part of a larger project and do not constitute the project itself.
• Travel expenses for individuals or groups, such as: sports teams, musical bands or classes.

Before starting to develop your proposal, it is important that you read the application guidelines and make sure that the proposal is in line with the purpose of the fund and that it is not an application tied to one of the exclusions.

Access to the online application is provided through a link included in the application guidelines for each fund. Click on the link provided (Online Application) to access our online application system and log in with your username and password. If you do not have an account, you will need to create one.

After accessing our online application system, you can create an account by clicking on “New applicant?”. You will need to choose a username (email) and password. You will also need to select and answer a few security questions. Be sure to keep your password and your answers to the questions in a safe place. If you already have an account, you can log in with your username and password.

Once you have created your account, you can start the application. At the end of the application, you will find a section on “annexes” to place the required documents. The system will not allow you to submit the application if any required field or document is not completed. Before submitting your application be sure to complete all required fields to submit your application successfully.

To continue an application you must access the following link: https://www.grantrequest.com/SID_5494?SA=AM, This link will take you to the home page of our online application system. Please note that this link is different from the link you used to open the application for the first time. Once you access the system, log in with your username and password, you will see a list of the applications you have in process, you must select the application you wish to continue.

No. Only documents in the following format will be accepted PDF with a size of 500 MB or less. If the documents are in a different format, you will need to save them in the PDF before attaching them to the application. You can use any scanning application (scanner) available on smartphones. These applications allow you to convert photos into documents PDF. Some examples are: Cam Scanner, PDF Scanner y Mobile Scanner.

The online system will send an automatic message indicating that the application has been submitted. If you do not receive this message, you can check in the online system if the request is in progress (in progress) or if it was subjected to (submitted).

Once inside the online application system, click on the “Forgot your password?” option. You must then enter your username and your answers to the security questions. The system will send you an email with a temporary password and instructions for setting a new password. Be sure to keep it in a safe place.

If you do not remember the answers to the security questions, please write an email to becasydonativos@fcpr.org, In the email, explain your situation and include the email address you used to create your user. You will receive an email from the system with a temporary password and instructions on how to set a new password.

Write an e-mail to becasydonativos@fcpr.org, In the form, explain your situation and include the name of the Fund to which you are applying. You will receive a response in approximately 72 business hours. If it is an urgent question, you may call 787-721-1037.

You will receive an email informing you of the approval and next steps regarding the contract signing process. You will receive a contract, via DocuSign, This document establishes the restrictions and regulations governing the grant and the items for which the grant was approved. This document must be signed and sent to the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF) to initiate the disbursement process; this process may take several weeks. The first grant payment will be disbursed within approximately 45 days after this process is completed.

After signing the contract, the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF) has 45 days to disburse the first payment of the approved grant. Subsequent disbursements will be determined by the duration of the project and the contract signed. Subsequent disbursements will not be made to organizations that do not comply with the terms and conditions set forth in the contract. Therefore, it is imperative that your organization submit progress reports as agreed upon in order to avoid project delays.

Subsequent disbursements will be determined by the duration of the project and the grant that was approved. This specific information is included in the approved grant agreement for each grant as applicable. However, in general terms, a first payment is made upon signing the contract, a second payment upon receipt of the progress report, and finally a payment of the residual (equivalent to 10% of the approved grant) after the issuance of the final report.

Currently, the Puerto Rico Community Foundation (PRCF) is only making payments through direct deposit to the organization's bank account. Therefore, the organization is responsible for including the correct bank information in the document attached to the donation contract. In the event that the bank information or other important information for these purposes changes, the organization must inform the FCPR as soon as possible, by writing to the following e-mail address becasydonativos@fcpr.org.

However, if necessary, you can send any additional documents directly to the following e-mail address becasydonativos@fcpr.org. The documents must be identified with the name of the organization and the name of the Fund to which you are applying.

Yes, by selecting the corresponding requirement, you will have access to the formats or templates available for download, as applicable. Access the following documents:

• Work plan
• Budget
• Narrative report
• Financial Report

These documents must be downloaded, completed with the requested information and included in the corresponding section of the portal as part of the compliance process.

Explanatory noteReport formats are used for both progress and final report in the report include.

All reports are received through the Blackbaud Granmaking digital platform, therefore, you must enter the online application portal of the Puerto Rico Community Foundation through the following link: https://www.GrantRequest.com/SID_5494?SA=AM.

Once you are on the main page, you must access your account using your username and password. After logging in, select the “Requirements” button, where you will have access to the platform to complete and submit the corresponding report.

It is important that you complete this request on or before the deadline date established in the grant agreement. If you have any questions about how to access, complete the request, or any other situation that may arise in the process, you may write to becasydonativos@fcpr.org.

The progress report is composed of a narrative report and a financial report. You can access templates detailing all the information that must be included. The financial progress report must reflect the expenditure of at least the 50% of the disbursed portion of the grant.

If you have any questions while completing the document, you can write an e-mail to Evelina Henriquez Ramirez, Philanthropic Services Officer, at ehenriquez@fcpr.org.

The final report is composed of a narrative report of achievements and a financial report. You can access the templates that detail all the information that must be included. The financial report must reflect the total use of the funds granted, if any residual retained will be reimbursed after the organization complies with the delivery of the final report.

If you have any doubts while completing the document, you can write an e-mail to ehenriquez@fcpr.org.

As stipulated in the grant contract, the organization must submit its final report no later than 45 days after completion of the approved project. If you need a no-cost extension, you must formally request it in writing to Evelina Henriquez Ramirez, Philanthropic Services Officer, by e-mailing her at ehenriquez@fcpr.org. Please note that failure to comply with the submission of progress and final reports may result in cancellation of the grant or even a request for a refund of the grant as applicable.