Commonly Asked Grant Questions

What is a 501c3?

A 501(c)(3) is a non-profit organization that has been recognized by the IRS as being tax-exempt because it is organized and operated for religious, charitable, scientific, educational, or certain other purposes. Our organization is charitable in its goals and efforts.

You state that you don’t charge people, but include the cost in the grant. What does that really mean?

Though we try not to charge anything for grants, some are very complex, require partnerships, time and resources. We collect those costs in the grant, from 0 to 5% based on the work. For example, $25,000 x 3% = $750. This means the grant recipient would receive $24,250. The money we receive goes to operating the foundation. No one is paid for the work they do.

Are there any groups or types of people you won’t work with?

The founder and board value diversity and support positive, contributing community members and groups with proven track records. However, when collaborating on grant proposals, we avoid organizations with mismatched missions, questionable ethics, poor financial stability, or a history of failed collaborations, as these factors can jeopardize funding and undermine the project's success. Careful partner selection ensures alignment with our values and maximizes the positive impact of grant-funded initiatives. We will never work with hate groups or those that have a history of discriminatory practices or rhetoric. This includes their attached members.

So, you will just give me money if I meet with you and apply for grants?

No. Grants don’t work that way. All funding we receive must be accounted for and spent properly. For example, if we apply for computers, then we will help purchase computers, account for them, and ensure that they are being used the way they were intended to. If the money goes towards salaries, we will have an agreement in place before we transfer funds.

Do you guarantee grant results if we work with you?

No. Applying for grants is highly competitive, a creative invested task, and can be challenging. We will work hard to be sure we do our best work.

Commonly Asked Donation Questions

Will you hold donations in storage for our community?

It depends on the type of donation. We are happy to hold financial donations while groups decide how they are going to use them. We are not able to accept cold storage and fresh products, because we don’t have refrigeration facilities. Your group will need to figure that out ahead of time. When we apply or accept donations on behalf of a group, we expect that they will have a place for them and a plan for distribution.

Will you transport physical donations for us?

We are willing to help deliver small donations in our community when we can, but don’t have the means to deliver large donations because we are a convener. This would need to be worked out in advance with your group. Also, transporting physical donations must align with our non-profit policies.

What types of donations won’t you accept on behalf of a group?

At The Twilight Collaborative, we carefully consider all potential donations to ensure they align with our mission and benefit the community groups we serve. We cannot accept any illegal or unethical items, including drugs, weapons, stolen goods, hate speech materials, or anything that violates child protection laws. Practicality is also key; we avoid donations that are too large, bulky, perishable, or in poor condition, as these can create a burden for the receiving group.

We also decline donations from entities with unethical practices or those that present a conflict of interest, as maintaining our integrity is paramount. Furthermore, we cannot accept donations with conditions attached that would undermine a group's autonomy or mission. Finally, while we appreciate all generosity, we are not prepared to accept complex donations like real estate or stocks that require specialized handling and may not be appropriate for all groups we support. Though maybe we will in the future. Our donation policy reflects these guidelines, ensuring that every contribution truly makes a positive impact.

Are there any kinds of donations you will take year long?

Yes. We take financial contributions and in-kind goods that can be given to community organizations throughout the year. We welcome financial contributions to support the everyday operations or that are designated to community groups, Please be sure to state what group you would like the money to go to. Our community often needs toiletries and hygiene products, socks and underwear, and hats and gloves. If we have them, we will give them out to those in need, especially if directed through a community organizations.

Sorry, we do not take furniture, used clothing, or other home goods at this time.