How to Apply

These are organizations whose mission, values, and staff are rooted in and reflect the communities they work with. Durfee is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and therefore highly encourages organizations to apply that work with historically marginalized communities, including but not limited to BIPOC, LGBTQ, low-income communities, etc.

By “creative,” we mean new, and likely untested, strategies to make positive change. Although providing needed services where they do not exist is important, this approach does not usually fit the Springboard criteria for creativity. We are also especially interested in projects that bring together different communities while addressing an issue in LA County with a surprising, unique twist that pulls from various disciplines, issue areas, and interests.

Applications are accepted three times per year. Upon receipt of the application form, Durfee staff will determine whether the proposed project meets the program guidelines no more than four weeks after the deadline. If an application moves beyond the initial screening, the applicant will receive a call from foundation staff to gather additional information. The next step is a site visit to the organization, and then the foundation’s Board of Trustees makes a final determination on the grant. The board meets three times per year, so the full review can take up to four months.

All declined applicants may apply one more time; however, applicants who are applying for a second time are required to have a phone call with Durfee staff prior to reapplying.

Applicants are not allowed to apply again after a second decline.

Durfee is looking for organizations that are far enough along to be past the idea stage, but still in need of the endorsement of start-up funding to “springboard” the organization to the next level.Applicants must have programming underway, and also have clearly delineated leadership (a small team of staff/volunteers and a board or advisory network). They may be a 501c3 entity or be operating under fiscal sponsorship. In all cases, they must be at an inflection point at which Durfee’s start-up funding would accelerate early growth. We are looking for new ventures that have not yet secured major funding, hoping that Durfee’s early endorsement might open other doors. In fact, receipt of significant public sector support and/or multiple grants from foundations larger than Durfee may indicate to the review panel that Durfee’s support might not be merited, given the foundation’s very modest resources. Please contact Durfee if you have any questions.

To qualify for Springboard, the organization’s operations must have begun less than 5 years ago. For Springboard criteria, any changes in the organization’s structure or status (i.e. becoming a 501(c)3, change in fiscal sponsors, becoming a B-corp) does not change the starting year of an organization’s operations.

The organization’s annual budget should include all actual revenues and expenses of the organization’s current fiscal year. An organization may include pro-bono support pending grant requests, but those must be clearly delineated from cash.

To qualify for Springboard, your organization must have a current annual budget of less than $250,000.

Durfee looks at an annual budget to learn what resources the organization has, how they are being allocated, and where the funding is coming from. We also look at if the organization has secured major funding at a significant level so we better understand whether it is the right timing for the organization to apply.

Springboard grants are $70,000 over two years, typically payable in two installments of $35,000 each. The organization must submit a satisfactory progress report before receiving the second year’s installment.

Springboard grants are unrestricted general support grants that the recipient uses as it best sees fit. Grantees are typically at a critical developmental stage and use the Springboard funds strategically to take their work to the next level. For example, they may be used to rent a first office, pay a salary supplement to allow a staff person to devote more time to the organization, hire a grant writer, create a web site or buy needed equipment.

Through its Sabbatical and Stanton programs, the Durfee Foundation works with some of the most highly regarded leaders in Los Angeles County. Durfee facilitates introductions and conversations between Springboard organizations and a select group of these leaders who share experience that might be useful to the Springboard partner. Based on these conversations, the Springboard organization will choose a good mentor for them during the two years of the Springboard grant.

The mentor offers a sounding board for the organization’s leadership about organizational-level decisions. Organizations are allocated a total of 100 hours of mentorship during the two-year grant period. Durfee pays the mentors for their valuable time.

Yes, organizations that have not received prior institutional funding are encouraged to apply.

No. Springboard Fund support is reserved exclusively for new, free-standing ventures.

We have found that the programs with the greatest likelihood of success are developed by leaders who have deep experience with their target community. Luz Rivas, founder of DIY Girls, grew up in Pacoima where she launched her program at the elementary school she attended. Rick Nahmias founded Food Forward in the San Fernando Valley where he lives. Durfee receives many applications from well-meaning people who have an idea for a program that they believe will improve the quality of life for others. Often, the applicants do not have direct experience with the community they wish to serve, but believe that since so many areas are under-resourced, their program will be useful. That may be true, but Durfee believes that the most relevant programs arise from within the community rather than being imported from outside.

No. Springboard is for endeavors that have already been launched. Starting a nonprofit is a challenging task that requires several legal steps. For guidance, we recommend Calnonprofits as a valuable resource.

Applicants that have fared well in the past are the ones that are written by the founder. What makes a strong application is including the founder’s perspective.