Piper Bulletin January 2010

What's the question you've always wanted to ask a funder? Send your question to editor@pipertrust.org. Staffer Phil Anthropy will answer it in the next issue of Piper Bulletin.

What happens if I don't contact Piper Trust before I submit an application?

Phil: You always run the risk of having an application declined, which means sitting out a year before another application can be submitted. To avoid that possibility, the Piper Trust program staff wants you to contact them before you prepare and submit your grant application. These pre-proposal discussions can help identify projects that are feasible for the organization and align with the Trust's program area strategies and priorities.

You may not believe that program staff members are encouraging more communication but that is the fact. Advance discussions can take place via email, by telephone or in face-to-face meetings. Always call first before sending a formal application.

I've always wondered, can Piper view parts of my online application while it's in process before I hit "submit"?

Phil: No, Piper staff can't view any part of your online application before you submit it. Our online application system allows us to view only those letters of inquiry and grant summary forms that have been electronically submitted.

Of course, the fact that we can't look at proposals before submission also means that unfortunately we can't retrieve any draft applications accidentally deleted or older than six months.

[Send a question to Phil Anthropy…]