The ASABE Foundation was created to raise and manage funds to further the missions of the Society. The Foundation has established both general and designated funds to support projects, services and special activities. Donations and bequests support foundation Funds.

The Initiative Fund is not a Fund of the Foundation. Rather, it is a Fund established by the ASABE Board of Trustees to support the creation of new products or services and to "test market" new initiatives i.e., to seed rather than sustain new activities. It is supported through ASABE's Restricted Reserve. Each fiscal year the Finance Committee recommends, for ASABE Board of Trustees approval, the amount to be placed in the Initiative Fund for use the next fiscal year.

SUBMITTING REQUESTS

All funding requests should be prepared by an ASABE member or committee, with the understanding that they are subject to the same approval patterns as all other Society initiatives. They shall be reviewed and approved by the appropriate Council prior to submission to the Foundation and/or the Initiative Fund Review Committee.

The Initiative Fund and the Funds of the Foundation are separate and have separate approval processes. Requests for funding can be submitted to:

• The Foundation
• The Initiative Fund
  
• The Foundation and then the Initiative Fund

The Foundation
Normally, the Foundation Board considers requests each June for disbursement the following calendar year. If a funding request is turned down by the Foundation because the purpose does not fit within the scope of Foundation Funds, the request will be forwarded onto the Initiative Fund Review Committee for consideration. Approved Foundation requests are transmitted to the Foundation's Vice President for Projects/Grants. Endowments and other Foundation funds are limited. If large levels of support are needed or if the project is one that may have constituent support, potential sponsors or benefactors that can be approached by the Foundation for support should be identified. This is particularly important for undertakings requiring continuous, annual funding.

The Initiative Fund
The Initiative Fund Review Committee evaluated and reviews requests and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees. If a request is turned down, the sponsor of the request will be informed of the reasons and/or assisted in identifying ways to refocus the request for resubmittal. The Initiative Fund level is recommended each year by the Finance Committee for review and approval by the Board of Trustees.

A Funding Request Form is available for your convenience. If you have any questions about the appropriate approval route for your grant request, please call ASABE headquarters.

REQUEST GUIDELINES

1. Prepare a brief Purpose Statement that describes the project or service for which you seek funding support. List the project's objectives and include detailed information on: what Society objective is met; what strategic initiative is met; what member need(s) are being met; how many members will benefit; whether and how it will aid membership retention/growth.

2. Review the Funding Request Form to ensure that you present all necessary information and supporting data requested.

3. Budget your project carefully from concept to completion. Make sure you clearly express the results your proposal is intended to achieve, and how you propose to measure those results.

4. Identify and seek the support of the Society Council(s), Divisions, Committees, Communities, or staff members whose efforts may be related to your proposal.

5. Submit your request through the appropriate ASABE Council. Do not send request directly to the ASABE Foundation or the Initiative Fund Review Committee.

6. If the proposal involves or will require finding new funding, identify potential sponsors or benefactors that could be contacted by the Foundation for support.