Before submitting a proposal, prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Foundation's Funding Priorities section, including General Criteria and the relevant program description, to determine whether their proposal reflects the Foundation's current interests. Applicants should also check Cut-off Dates to ensure that their proposal will meet grant cycle deadlines.

A complete application, mailed to the Compton Foundation, consists of:

• a 3-4 page project proposal
• the supporting attachments listed below
• the Proposal Outline Form submitted, and then printed from this link

The Foundation does not accept proposals sent by fax or email.  Please do not fold, bind or staple your proposal or attachments.

The 3-4 page project proposal should be printed on ONE side only, and should describe:

• the organization making the request
• the goals and objectives of the designated project, including specific outcomes
• the means by which the project's effectiveness will be measured
• a one-half to one page update of previous work supported by the Foundation (if relevant)

Each of the following supporting attachments should be printed on ONE side only:

• Proposal Outline Form
• Qualifications of key people involved (1 page only)
• List of Board members with affiliations–universities excluded (1 page only)
• Project budget, including income and expenses (1 page only)
  Please consider including a line item allowing you to offset any greenhouse gas emissions associated with project travel.
• Organization's budget, including revenue sources, for year in which project will be carried out (1 page only)
• Statement of Assets and Liabilities (preferably audited, and from the most current year-end)
• Statement of Revenue and Expenses, or Statement of Activities (preferably audited, and from the most current year-end)
  Please do not send a copy of your form 990, or complete audit.
  
• Names and contact information for 3-5 references (include phone numbers and email addresses).  Please include new references if you have been previously funded.
  
• A copy of the organization's 501(c)(3) IRS tax exemption letter

For those applicants with a sponsoring organization, please include the fiscal sponsor's organizational budget. In addition, please submit the fiscal sponsor's Statement of Assets and Liabilities, and Statement of Revenue and Expenses.

In the interest of preserving the environment, the Foundation actively discourages prospective applicants from sending more than the minimum amount of information requested. If additional information is required, the applicant will be notified.

The Foundation makes grants only to organizations and institutions that qualify under the requirements of the Federal Tax Reform Act of 1969. The Foundation files annual tax returns with the Internal Revenue Service, the California State Franchise Tax Board, and the Office of the Attorney General of the State of California.