Primary Consideration Please Note Since it is our intent to focus on our mission, we will no longer be accepting requests for artistic or educational programs. Additionally, we will not be accepting applications from organizations that have not received a grant from us in the past. The Valley Foundation’s primary goal is to improve health care and medical services for lower income households within Santa Clara County, California. More than fifty percent of all grants are authorized for this purpose. Our core competency and interest is providing grants to the medical field, dealing with research, education, health awareness, direct services and critical diseases. We will also consider social services requests that relate to the health of our community. Other Considerations Generally, requests are viewed more favorably if they are for specific, innovative and/or non-repetitive purposes rather than for on-going support or reduction of deficit. Applications for grants are accepted only from qualified tax exempt charitable organizations. Applications cannot be accepted for the benefit of individuals, political or religious purposes. The Foundation encourages turnover in grants and, therefore, prefers not to fund multiple-year requests. An organization which has received funding, or been denied funding, must wait at least one full year before submitting another application. We request that applicants ask for a specific amount of funds for a specific project. It is the Foundation's policy, in its entire grant making, not to make a permanent commitment of support to any project or organization. We are, however, especially eager to give funds which act as a challenge or catalyst toward the securing of additional funding. Deadlines The Board of Trustees holds four meetings per year at which time grant applications are considered. Applicants wishing to be considered at our quarterly board meetings should issue proposals by the following deadlines: Letter of Intent Deadline Proposal Deadline Board Meeting October 15 December 1 March January 15 March 1 June April 15 June 1 September July 15 September 1 December Grant Range Our grants range between $10,000 and $100,000. The Foundation prefers to avoid grants which provide more than one-fourth of an organization's total budget in any twelve-month period; it usually expects evidence of a community and applicant commitment to a project through some local cost sharing. Geographic Area Served Grants are restricted to organizations within Santa Clara County, California. All grant funds must be used within the County. Grant Limitations Grant making is subject to limitations as follows: Direct grants to hospitals within the service area defined in the Non-competition Agreement with the buyer of the hospital are barred; however, grants may be made to qualified 501(c) 3 charitable organizations and "governmental institutions financed by public funds to assist the institutions in funding their charitable activities" which may thereafter expend part or all of the grants they receive on services provided by hospitals in the service area. Non disbursements may be made which would fund (A) contractual allowances between insurance companies and health care providers, (B) program losses which accrue to health care providers, or (C) subsidize deductibles and coinsurance arrangements under medical and hospital care policies. Any interpretation is subject to ruling by trustees. To go to the online application, click here