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Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ’s about CVF, available assistance, the decision-making process, and much more.
1. What is the difference between Charitable Venture Foundation and Charitable Leadership Foundation?
CVF and CLF are two separate entities, which were both established by the Liebich family of Albany, New York. Charitable Venture Foundation was created in 1992 with the mission of funding innovative projects and programs, which were unlikely to receive grants from traditional foundations. CVF grants are typically $50,000 or less and awarded for one or two years.
Charitable Leadership Foundation was established to focus funding on three core focus areas: Education, Housing, and Medical Affairs. The CLF grants are larger ($20,000 minimum) and are awarded for four or five years or longer.
Charitable Venture Foundation has a much broader scope in terms of the kinds of programs that it will fund. The program standards for both foundations are very similar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. What types of assistance are available from Charitable Venture Foundation?
Most awards will be strategic investments structured to share the risk of a new program with the receipt organization such as challenge grants, low or no interest loans, and incremental grants paid out according to performance.
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3. Is technical assistance available?
In the interest of strengthening not-for-profit organizations and increasing capacity to successfully deliver funded programs, the trustees intend to make appropriate technical assistance a part of most grant packages.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Are certain types of organizations more or less likely to receive funding?
The Foundation does not normally fund organizations with substantial financial resources or arts or cultural organizations, unless the proposed project presents a compelling need or opportunity and substantially matches the funding criteria.
The Foundation typically does not fund capital campaigns, physical building projects and general core support.
Any grants to religious organizations will be restricted to non-sectarian purposes. Grants are not awarded to individuals or to organizations where prohibited by the Internal Revenue Service Code.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Does location factor into CVF’s funding decision?
Yes, we fund projects and programs in upstate New York.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. How much funding will CVF typically provide for a project or program?
Upper and lower limits of funding have not been established. However, in recent years, the average grant is for $50,000 and is typically one or two years. In general the projected result should be worth the investment.