Application FAQs

How do I submit a proposal?

Full proposals and inquiries should be sent to our dedicated e-mail address established for that purpose: proposals@ploughshares.org. To ensure that your request meets our criteria and fits with our core priorities and goals, read “Funding Areas" and “Apply for a Grant.”

When should I apply for a grant?

The Ploughshares Fund Board of Directors meets three times a year - Fall, Winter and Summer, and deadlines are typically set three months prior to the meeting. Once upcoming meetings are scheduled, we post the proposal deadlines here [link to Apply for a Grant page]. PLEASE NOTE THAT BOARD MEETING DATES AND PROPOSAL DEADLINES MAY CHANGE FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

What are discretionary grants?

Discretionary grants are projects that are funded in between the full board meetings. Projects considered for discretionary grants usually meet one or all of the following conditions:
   a) the proposed project requires $15,000 or less.
   b) the proposed project occurs within a short or urgent time frame.
   c) the proposal specifically asks that the project be considered as a discretionary request.

When can I expect a response to my proposal?

It depends. If you submitted a full proposal for consideration at a board meeting, you should receive an immediate confirmation of receipt. For full board proposals (not discretionary) you will receive a response after a full board meeting which usually occurs three or four months after the published deadline. If you submitted a discretionary proposal, responses vary between one to four weeks. We take time to thoroughly review each proposal that addresses our goals and adheres to our guidelines.

When is a letter of inquiry appropriate?

If you are unsure if your project or program is eligible for funding, or whether it would be competitive or appropriate to submit a full proposal, we welcome brief letters of inquiry. Such inquiries can be sent to our general mailbox – proposals@ploughshares.org.

To whom should I address correspondence about my proposal?

At Ploughshares Fund, program staff reads and annotates all proposals received. There is no need to address a particular individual about your project.

Do you support individuals?

Ploughshares Fund is able to give grants to individuals regardless of citizenship or country of origin.

Do you fund direct lobbying?

Yes.

Do you make grants outside the U.S.?