What is the purpose of The Dana Brown Charitable Trust (DBCT)?
The purpose of Dana Brown Charitable Trust is to provide grants to organizations that support financially disadvantaged children (up to age 18) and programs that enable children to expand their knowledge of the world and nature through programs featuring wild animals in the St. Louis, Missouri-Illinois metropolitan statistical area (MSA).
Who can apply for a grant?
Qualifying organizations must have tax-exempt status under IRS sections 501(c)(3). The Charity Check by Candid program on the Grant Interface Platform will verify all organizations applying.
To meet our guidelines, you must provide programming or projects supporting DBCT’s mission and be a non-profit organization that has been operating for at least four (4) years.
Even if you were previously funded before the 2024 Fall grant cycle with an award, if you have not been recognized for 4+ years as an independent 501(c)3 organization, you will not be eligible to apply until you meet this new guideline.
Are organizations eligible to receive funding if they are located outside the vicinity of the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area?
The Dana Brown Charitable Trust considers grants within the entire St. Louis MO-IL Metro Area.
National non-profit organizations that provide resources/services that meet DBCT mission and guidelines through a chapter or regional office in the St. Louis MO-IL Metro Area are also eligible to apply.
What is the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area?
In Missouri: St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, Lincoln County, Warren County, Franklin County, Washington County and the city of Sullivan in Crawford County
In Illinois: Madison County, Monroe County, St. Clair County, Calhoun County, Jersey County, Clinton County, Macoupin County, and Bond County
Are grants awarded to 509(a)(3) supporting organizations or private foundations?
We rarely fund 509(a)(3) organizations directly. These “Supporting Organizations” are classified as such because they have a close tie to a “Public Charity” as described in 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), but do not face the same levels of public scrutiny as Public Charities. Because of this gap in public visibility, additional restrictions on grants to these types of organizations may apply.
Aligning with our mission and guidelines, funding the Public Charities directly instead of through their Supporting Organization often ensures the most efficient use of grant funds.
If you believe a program operated by your Supporting Organization better aligns with our mission than its Public Charity companion, include the name of the Public Charity supported and the specific program to be funded for your request to be considered.
Are grants awarded to individuals?
No, never.
Are grants awarded for feasibility studies?
No, never.
Are grants awarded for endowments?
No, we do not fund endowments, instead we are program/project focused.
Are capital campaigns funded?
Capital Campaigns are only funded on an approved strategy. The DBCT Executive Director or Trust Chair will work together to agree on a plan for a capital campaign request, and this type of grant might take several years of strategy to be approved.
This new direction is better for managing the ” ALWAYS FUNDED” Multi-Year grants (outlined below) and considering a funding strategy that allows the Grant Review Committee to approve requests that fit into the allocation budget.
A capital campaign request will NOT be considered for a new/Never-funded organization.
These grant requests will be considered for organizations with strategic plans and anticipate capital campaigns to raise funds in the “quiet” phase before they go live in the community.
Are multi-year grants awarded?
We are shifting to ONLY fund multi-year grants to organizations in the “always funded” bucket, representing up to 40% of our annual allocation.
The Executive Director and Grant Chair integrated this new policy to provide transparency and communication in response to the 2023 independent legal and organizational review recommendations.
Despite Dana Brown not designating a beneficiary or naming specific organizations to fund, he used explicit language that followed his quiet philanthropy approach during his lifetime.
Due to that guidance in the original trust document, the organizations below will always be considered for annual funding:
• Saint Louis Zoo
• St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
• Mercy Children’s Hospital St. Louis
• Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital
Can private schools K through 12 apply?
Yes, if your private school is over four years old and has 501(c) 3 standing and meets the mission of The Dana Brown Charitable Trust —The purpose of Dana Brown Charitable Trust is to provide grants to organizations in the St. Louis area that support financially disadvantaged children and programs that enable children to expand their knowledge of the world and nature through programs featuring wild animals in the St. Louis, Missouri, Metropolitan area (MSA).
Are there any additional focuses or eligibility requirements to apply for a grant at the Dana Brown Charitable Trust that I should know about?
The Dana Brown Charitable Trust is focused on high-impact, low-risk funding and places high importance on those organizations that work collaboratively with other nonprofits.
The grants must serve children up to age 18; often, organizations will serve children past this age. It is essential to share your full mission statement, but your funding request must outline that your project/program will meet our requirements to only serve those children up to that age.
In addition, you must meet new eligibility requirements and your 501 (c) 3 status must be in place for four (4) full years before you apply. Only agencies providing services for four (4) years or more are eligible to apply.
Each organization must be VERIFIED on the Grant Platform Charity Check.
Spring Cycle Deadlines
Fall Cycle Deadlines
Are there any restrictions on how frequently I can apply for funding from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust?
Yes. Regardless of whether or not your organization receives a grant from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, you can only submit one Letter of Intent per year. That means if you submit a Letter of Intent for the 2024 Spring grant cycle, you cannot submit another Letter of Intent until the 2025 Spring grant cycle.
Additionally, suppose you are invited to submit a full grant application, regardless of whether or not you receive funding. In that case, you can still not submit a new Letter of Intent until the following year.
The only exception to this process is the Collaborative Grant Request. An organization can apply individually for an award, and regardless of whether they were awarded or declined, they can participate in the next grant cycle if two (2) or more 501(c)3 organizations, both over four (4) years in existence, submit this type of grant request outlined in this FAQ section.
Finally, suppose you do receive funding from The Dana Brown Charitable Trust. In that case, you may not submit a new Letter of Intent until a full year after you’ve received your final grant payment from the award. (Example: You receive your last award from The Dana Brown Charitable Trust in the 2024 Spring Grant cycle. You may not submit another Letter of Intent until the 2025 Spring Grant cycle.
Does Dana Brown Charitable Trust fund Collaborative Grants?
Yes, this is a new choice for the type of grant you submit when you enter a grant cycle.
Due to the complexities of social challenges, it has become increasingly clear that often, non-profits form partnerships to tackle these issues and expand support and resources.
Collaborative grants can provide funds to add resources, unite visions, and amplify impact, enabling organizations to achieve more together.
The DBCT Trust Chair and Executive Director have integrated this new approach. The Grant Review Committee reviews and votes on the submissions.
We believe these grants will enhance operational efficiency and enable each organization to thrive in its strengths.
This approach allows the Dana Brown Charitable trust to extend the reach of our grant awards, bringing innovative solutions to those organizations serving our community and meeting our mission.
What is the process to apply for a newly integrated DBCT Collaborative Grant?
A formal Memo of Understanding (MOU) must be in place. One (1) organization will lead this type of grant involving two (2) or more non-profit entities that meet DBCT’s mission and follow all required guidelines.
You must indicate that the LOI is a request for a collaborative project/program between two (2) or more 501(c) 3 organizations and complete all requested additional information for committee review.
After requesting an award amount, you must outline in the simple LOI form how the award will be shared between agencies. If invited to apply, this information will be transferred to the application.
The organization applying for the award will be the lead and responsible for all required forms, follow-up, and distribution of funds (only one check will be missed) for the award approval.
What is the first step to applying for a grant from The Dana Brown Charitable Trust?
To be invited to apply for funding from The Dana Brown Charitable Trust, you must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) and be asked by the DBCT Grant Review Committee to complete our full online grant application.
What is the deadline for my Letter of Intent?
Letters of Intent (LOI) are due on February 19 for our Spring grant cycle and August 27 for our Fall grant cycle.
Letters of Intent for our Spring grant cycle are accepted between January 1 and February 19.
Letters of Intent for our Fall grant cycle are accepted between July 1 and August 27.
The LOI process will close at 10 pm (CST) on February 19 and August 27.
Will I be informed if I have not been invited to complete the Full Grant Application?
Yes. You will be informed by email from the grant interface platform. The DBCT Grant Review Committee meets within a month of the two respective LOI deadlines (February 19 for Spring and August 27 for Fall) to review Letters of Intent. You will be notified shortly following that meeting if you’ve been invited to submit a complete grant application.
Where and when do I submit my Full Grant Application?
After submitting your Letter of Intent and being invited by The Dana Brown Charitable Trust Grant Review Committee to apply, you will receive email notification and instructions to complete the full grant application.
This detailed information will be emailed after the Grant Review Committee reviews your Letter of Intent.
What are the deadlines for the Full Grant Application?
Spring Cycle Deadlines
Fall Cycle Deadlines
Can I submit my Letter of Intent, Full Grant Application, or Progress/Follow-Up Report by mail?
No. ALL requests must be submitted through the Foundant Grant Interface Platform.
Am I required to send in a copy of the organization's IRS 501(c)(3) Determination Letter?
Yes. Copies of the organization’s 501(c)(3) Determination Letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service must be submitted if you are invited to apply. You will upload the letter on the application form on the grant interface platform.
In addition, each organization will be VERIFIED on the Grant Platform Charity Check.
Do I need to have the application signed?
We request that all Full Grant Applications are signed, in addition to other forms that are part of the grant process. Since our application process is entirely digital, we will accept digital signatures on all grant process forms that request a signature.
When will I be notified if I received a grant from The Dana Brown Charitable Trust?
You will receive notification if you receive a grant from The Dana Brown Charitable Trust within one month of our Full Grant Application Deadlines: May 5 (Spring) or October 29 (Fall).
What are the deadline dates?
Letters of Intent are due on February 19 for our Spring grant cycle and August 27 for our Fall grant cycle.
Once invited, completed full-grant applications must be submitted via the grant interface platform by May 5 (Spring) or October 29 (Fall), depending on the grant cycle you are invited to apply for.
How often does the Grant Review Committee meet?
The DBCT Grant Review Committee meets as needed throughout the year but has several pre-established meeting dates to review submitted application materials. Those meetings are as follows:
Spring
March: Letter of Intent Review
June: Full Application and Progress Report Review
Fall
September: Letter of Intent Review
December: Full Application and Progress Report Review
When is the fiscal year of The Dana Brown Charitable Trust?
The fiscal year of the Trust runs from July 1 to June 30.
My organization RECEIVED a grant last year. When can we reapply?
Whether or not your Letter of Intent or Grant Application has been accepted, you must wait 12 months before reapplying for funding from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust.
The only exception to this process is the Collaborative Grant Request. An organization can apply individually for an award, and regardless of whether they were awarded or declined, they can participate in the next grant cycle if two (2) or more 501(c)3 organizations, both over four (4) years in existence, submit this type of grant request outlined above.
My organization was DECLINED funding last year. When can we reapply?
Whether or not your Letter of Intent or Grant Application has been accepted, you must wait 12 months before reapplying for funding from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust.
The only exception to this process is the Collaborative Grant Request. An organization can apply individually for an award, and regardless of whether they were awarded or declined, they can participate in the next grant cycle if two (2) or more 501(c)3 organizations, both over four (4) years in existence, submit this type of grant request outlined above.
Are there any additional actions I need to take if I am awarded a grant by The Dana Brown Charitable Trust?
The Dana Brown Charitable Trust requires that you submit an end-of-year Progress/Follow-Up report within ten (10) months of your initial grant application. Your organization applicant/grant writer and/or primary contact will receive an assignment and email from the grant interface platform to complete this Progress Report when it is due.
For the new Collaborative Grants award, the agency that leads the application process will be responsible for this required form.
Generally, if you received a grant during our Spring grant cycle, your progress report is due by May 13. If you received a grant during our Fall grant cycle, your progress report is due by November 12. Interim reports and financial accounting will also be required for multi-year projects.
Where do I submit my year-end Progress/Follow-Up Report?
Once the progress/follow-up report has been assigned to the grant interface platform, all awarded organizations will receive an email.
This form is a requirement of the grant process and is attached to each awarded grant request, along with the history of each registered organization.
The assignment to complete the form and the required task is usually sent eight weeks (8) before the hard deadline of May 13 or November 12.
A reminder email is also sent as a courtesy 2-weeks before each progress/follow-up report deadline.
If you miss the required deadline, you will be penalized and unable to apply for another DBCT grant for three (3) years.
What are the components of the year-end Progress/Follow-Up Report?
It is an online form that must be completed to meet all grant award requirements.
Since the majority of grant awards are project/program specific, you will be asked to provide income and expenditure information compared to the budget initially proposed in your grant application. The Executive Director and Trust Chair will review to ensure the grant award was used as outlined in the grant LOI and Application.
The DBCT Grant Review Committee will have access to the completed/approved form during the grant review process.
Any program impact images you’d like to share with The Dana Brown Charitable Trust (up to four, limit 4mb per image file). A disclaimer for using those images for DBCT social media and communication is also part of the required form.
What if I miss the deadline to submit my assigned progress report?
NEW Dana Brown Charitable Trust grant guidelines adopted in 2024 will enforce this deadline. If the form is not submitted by the deadline (without written approval or communication from the Executive Director or Trust Chair), the organization will not be allowed to apply for a grant for three (3) full years.
It is IMPERATIVE that your organization be updated if there is a transition in the grant writer/applicant role to correctly assign the form and meet the required deadline after a grant award.
Contact the DBCT Executive Director for assistance with this process. The organization must update the grant interface’s online information and contacts, including all grant writers.
To begin the grant application process, please visit the grants page. For all other inquires, contact:
Rhae Yancey
tel: 314-250-5491
rhae.yancey@thedbct.org
The Dana Brown Charitable Trust
U.S. Bank Private Wealth Management
U.S. Bank Shaw Park Plaza
1 North Brentwood Blvd., Suite 1400
Clayton, MO 63105
