Our Work, Updates
Kerry McHugh
Articulating Our Strategic Framework, and What ...

As we near the end of 2023, we are excited to step back into our strategic visioning work and share with you all, in the spirit of transparency, what that’s looked like and what it might mean for our work going forward.

Articulating Our Strategic Framework, and What It Means for 2024 and Beyond...
Grants, Updates
Kerry McHugh
2022 Major Grants Program: Prioritizing Renewal ...

Our 2021 grant process is now open and accepting LOIs through April 15th. As always, our mission-oriented funding supports innovative interventions that remove or address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter and opportunity in the communities where we work and live. We envision a world in which all individuals, regardless of means or identity, are treated equitably and provided opportunities to thrive.

2022 Major Grants Program: Prioritizing Renewal Requests
Grants, Updates
Kerry McHugh
2021 Major Grants Program: Priorities & ...

Our 2021 grant process is now open and accepting LOIs through April 15th. As always, our mission-oriented funding supports innovative interventions that remove or address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter and opportunity in the communities where we work and live. We envision a world in which all individuals, regardless of means or identity, are treated equitably and provided opportunities to thrive.

2021 Major Grants Program: Priorities & Application Process
Updates
Kerry McHugh
Year-End Wishes & Six-Word Memoirs

After a year like none other, it’s hard to know quite what to say. “Have a happy holiday season” feels insufficient; “thanks for fighting through a global pandemic to serve the community while also engaging in a continued racial reckoning” feels closer to sufficient, but an email newsletter also doesn’t seem like quite the right vehicle to deliver that message.

Rather than using more words to try to express everything this year has meant, both individually and as a collective, we’ve taken inspiration from this New York Times op-ed* and instead offer you just six words each to summarize our experiences of 2020:

Year-End Wishes & Six-Word Memoirs
Updates
Kerry McHugh
An Update on 2021 Grantmaking & Priorities

In “normal” years, we’re usually announcing our grant priorities and programs for the upcoming year right around this time. But, as we all know, 2020 has been anything but “normal,” and so this year’s update looks a little different.

An Update on 2021 Grantmaking & Priorities

grantmaking

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2022 Grant Submissions: LOI Deadline Extended

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We haven’t had a single conversation lately without hearing some form of, “Wow, there’s a lot happening in the world,” and “we’re so, so busy right now.” Locally, domestically, globally, the world has felt heavy of late, and we know what a toll that can take on those working in this sector, on top of usual workloads and capacity stretching and whatnot.

With all of that in mind, we’re bumping our original March 15th deadline for LOI submissions out to April 15th in hopes of allowing for more breathing room and space for those wishing to apply for 2022 funding. If we can support your application efforts in any way, or if you have questions on the process, eligibility, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to be in touch.

More information about our 2022 grant cycle is available on our website.

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2022 Major Grants Program: Prioritizing Renewal Requests

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2022 Major Grants Program: Prioritizing Renewal Requests

Our 2021 grant process is now open and accepting LOIs through April 15th. As always, our mission-oriented funding supports innovative interventions that remove or address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter and opportunity in the communities where we work and live. We envision a world in which all individuals, regardless of means or identity, are treated equitably and provided opportunities to thrive.

,

2021 Major Grants Program: Priorities & Application Process

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2021 Major Grants Program: Priorities & Application Process

Our 2021 grant process is now open and accepting LOIs through April 15th. As always, our mission-oriented funding supports innovative interventions that remove or address the root causes of systemic barriers to health, safety, shelter and opportunity in the communities where we work and live. We envision a world in which all individuals, regardless of means or identity, are treated equitably and provided opportunities to thrive.

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Updates to Our Annual Grantmaking Timeline

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Updates to Our Annual Grantmaking Timeline

In 2019, we’ll be piloting a new timeline for our grants program: our Spring 2019 cycle operated as usual, with LOIs accepted from any eligible organization. Our Fall 2019 grant cycle will operate by invitation only (and most invitations will be extended to renewing grant partners from previous years).

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January 2019 "Open House" Events

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January 2019 "Open House" Events

Because we don’t have an actual office (our two employees work 100% remotely), we can’t host a typical “Open House” event to welcome you all to our space. So instead, we’re going to come to you. We’ll be hosting informal gatherings at coffee shops in each of our three main geographic areas of focus throughout the month of January. These are large chunks of time, intended to give past grantees, current grant partners, grantseekers, or any others interested in our work the opportunity to come by and meet with our Program Office, ask questions, and learn more about our work. No agendas. Nothing formal. Just a chance to meet in person and talk.

What You Should -- and Shouldn't -- Do When Meeting with Prospective Grantees

This article originally ran in the Chronicle of Philanthropy in response to an op-ed on what grantseekers should (and should not) do when meeting with donors for the first time.

As grant makers, we hold enormous power in relationships with nonprofits. Foundations big and small operate in a system in which nonprofits need funders (or, more precisely, our dollars) to achieve their missions. Our grantees, however, hold the answers to the questions and problems that drive us; they give our dollars meaning and effect, and their work allows us to achieve our missions. It is shortsighted, therefore, to view nonprofits simply as grant seekers. We should see them as critical partners in achieving our own missions as funders. And that partnership must be built on a foundation of mutual respect.

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An Anniversary, Strategic Planning, and An Announcement for Fall 2017

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An Anniversary, Strategic Planning, and An Announcement for Fall 2017

As The Helen J. Serini Foundation comes up to its five year anniversary, the Board of Directors is excited to take all that we've learned to date and use it to inspire and shape our direction for the next five years. Learn what that might look like, and how it will influence plans for our Fall 2017 Grant Cycle.

The Helen J. Serini Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Determination letter.

EIN# 46-1353961