What are the Davis Conservation Foundation’s funding objectives?

The foundation supports 501(c)(3) charitable organizations whose areas of interest are projects related to wildlife, wildlife habitat, environmental protection and outdoor recreation. Projects that strengthen volunteer activity and outreach/community involvement in these categories are of particular interest.

What are the geographic priorities of the Davis Conservation Foundation?

The highest geographic priority is Northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts). Only occasionally are grants awarded to organizations in other parts of New England and rarely to organizations outside of New England.

Since 1995 the foundation has directed approximately half its funding to projects involving the Northern Forest and the Gulf of Maine.

How do I apply?

Review the Davis Conservation Foundation’s submission guidelines to determine your eligibility and to obtain a list of items required from grant applicants. The foundation does not use a pre-proposal or letter of inquiry process but will respond to questions.

You may download a copy of the objectives and submission guidelines and an application form from this website. You may also request a copy by emailing the foundation at info@davisfoundations.org or calling (207) 781-5504. Please specify your interest in the Davis Conservation Foundation.

When are the submission deadlines?

The deadlines are April 10 and October 10. Applications must be received in the foundation's office by the deadline date. Applications for deadlines that fall on a holiday or weekend must be received by the next business day.

Trustees review proposals approximately 4 to 6 weeks following the submission deadlines.

May I call a Program Officer if I have questions?

Yes, we welcome phone calls from applicants. You may reach a Program Officer at (207) 781-5504.

What is not eligible for funding?

The Davis Conservation Foundation does not make grants to individuals, nor does it support annual giving campaigns, deficit reduction, scholarships, fellowships, loans, or travel.

How are funding decisions made?

Trustees judge proposals against the funding objectives, on their merits and in comparison to others received.

When will we know whether our request is approved?

You may expect notification of the trustees’ decision within approximately 60 days from date of the submission deadline.

How long must an organization wait before applying again?

In order to support as many worthwhile organizations as possible, the Foundation discourages organizations that have received a grant from submitting requests in consecutive years.

If your request is declined, there is no requirement as to how long you must wait before submitting another request.

Does the Davis Conservation Foundation make multiple-year awards?

The foundation normally provides one-year grants only.

Does the Davis Conservation Foundation require a completion report?

Yes. We request that grantees provide us with a completion report within 12 months of receipt of the grant. At the time of grant notification, we provide grantees with a grant completion report form for this purpose. Grantees may also download a copy of the form from the grantee resources page of this website.

If the project is not completed within one year, we ask that grantees provide a brief written progress report in the interim.