The Seattle International Foundation is now accepting letters of inquiry for our Central America Program, due on April 1, 2011. Haga clic aquí para versión en Español

The Seattle International Foundation invests in high performing non-profits to achieve its goals of poverty reduction, specifically in Central America. The Seattle International Foundation generally focuses on programs that empower individuals and organizations to have a greater voice on key local issues. The Foundation typically works with vulnerable communities such as at-risk youth, women, and indigenous communities, with the belief that investing in youth and women’s leadership, the rule of law, and human rights will have the greatest impact on poverty reduction in the region. For information regarding SIF's current and past grantees in the Central America Program, click here.

How to apply: Organizations interested in receiving support through the Central America Grants Program should first join our Central America Network by clicking here and filling out the brief form. Second, please submit a letter of inquiry, no longer than three pages, explaining the work being proposed. Send the letter by mail to our office or by email to SIF's Program Officer, Michele Frix, at mfrix@seaif.org. Any questions regarding submitting letters of inquiry can be directed to Michele Frix.

Letters of inquiry typically include the following:

1. Name of your organization (and acronym if commonly used)
2. Name of parent organization, if any
3. Name of chief executive officer or person holding similar position
4. Organization’s address (and courier address if different)
5. Organization’s phone number, fax number, and e-mail address, if any
6. Name and title of the principal contact person, if different from the above
7. Address (and courier address if different), phone number, and fax number of principal contact
8. E-mail address of principal contact
9. Web address, if any
10. Background on the organization
11. A brief statement of the purpose and nature of the proposed work
12. The significance of the issue addressed by the project
13. How it relates to a stated focus and strategy of the Seattle International Foundation
14. How the work will address the issue stated in #12
15. How the issue relates to your organization, and why your organization is qualified to undertake the project
16. Geographic area or country where the work will take place
17. Direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project
18. Time period for which funding is requested
19. Amount of budget requested and total cost of project or program
20. Information on the organization’s major funders

All material submitted become the property of the Seattle International Foundation. The Foundation may submit inquiries or proposals for confidential outside review. The deadline for letters of inquiry in April 1, 2011.  At that time, the Foundation will undergo review and select organizations to then submit formal applications for funding.

If you are a Washington State based nonprofit working globally, please click here for information regarding our Global Program.