1. About Us
   1. History
   2. Foundation Reports
   3. Board & Staff
   4. Contact Us
2. Collection
   1. Search Collection Online
      1. Artists List
      2. Thematic Groups
   2. Collection in Focus
      1. Recent Aquisitions
      2. Conservation Notes
      3. Objects in Depth
   3. Terra Collection Initiatives
   4. Collection on View
   5. History of the Collection
   6. Loans/ Rights & Reproductions
   7. Browse Collection
3. Grants
   1. Exhibition Guidelines
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   2. Academic Program Guidelines
   3. Public Programs Guidelines
   4. K-12 Education Guidelines
      1. Guidelines
      2. Deadlines
   5. How to Apply
   6. Grants Awarded
4. Scholarship
   1. Fellowships
   2. Symposia
      1. Past Symposia
   3. Publications
5. K-12 Education
   1. Teacher Lab
      1. About
      2. Tools
      3. Classroom Projects
      4. Participants
      5. Apply
   2. Resources
   3. K-12 Grant Program
6. Calendar
7. News
   1. Press Releases
      1. Current
      2. Archived
9. Europe
   1. European Programs
   2. TFAA Europe Library
   3. European Calendar
   4. Contact Us
10. Chicago
    1. Featured Programs
    2. Collection in Chicago
    3. Chicago Calendar

How to Apply

The grant application process is three-part:

1. Before submitting a formal proposal to the Terra Foundation, prospective applicants must write a letter of inquiry.
2. After reviewing the letter of inquiry, the foundation may invite the submission of a formal proposal.
3. Formal grant proposals undergo a review process before final decisions are made by the foundation's Board of Directors.

Letter of Inquiry

A letter of inquiry must precede any formal grant proposal to the Terra Foundation; formal proposals are accepted only by invitation of the foundation after review of the letter of inquiry. Prospective applicants can expect to hear from the foundation within three weeks of their letter's receit. The letter should be no longer than 3 pages (including attachments) and include:

• Brief statement of the organization's purpose and goals
• Description of the project, including its beginning and ending dates as well as the need and audience it addresses
• Objectives of the project
• Other organizing partners and funding sources and amounts for the project, if relevant
• Total cost of project and the grant amount requested
  

All letters should be written in English, addressed to the Grants Manager, and sent by email to grants@terraamericanart.org or by post to:

Terra Foundation for American Art
980 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1315
Chicago, Illinois 60611

Formal Proposal

After a letter of inquiry is reviewed, prospective applicants may be invited to submit a formal proposal. Please note that an invitation for a formal proposal does not guarantee funding at any level. Formal proposals must be written in English and should not be stapled or bound. All attachments should also be written or translated in English.

Below is a downloadable PDF containing copies of the Application form for each of the four program areas: Exhibitions, Academic Programs, Chicago Public Programs, and Chicago K-12 Education Programs. These forms can also be found on the guidelines page for each program area.

Download PDF

Proposal Review Process

During the time that a proposal is under review, applicants must notify the foundation of any significant changes in staff or board leadership, financial circumstances, or the capacity of the institution to accomplish the proposed activities.

Following submission, proposals go through the review process outlined below:

Staff Contact
Foundation staff will contact the applicant to confirm that the required material has been submitted, clarify any questions regarding the proposal, request any additional information, and discuss any special needs or circumstances that may exist.

Staff and Peer Review
The foundation's program staff reviews all proposals, and may contact other institutions that have knowledge of the grant-seeking organization. Proposals may also be presented to colleagues for peer review and recommendation.

Executive Approval
Proposals are presented to the Board of Directors, which makes final decisions on grants. Currently, the Board of Directors reviews proposals for the Academic Programs, Public Programs, and Chicago K–12 Education Programs in Fall, Winter, and Spring. Exhibition proposals are reviewed twice annually, in Spring and Fall.

Notification
Foundation staff will notify the organization of a decision by telephone or by mail approximately 2–3 weeks after the Board of Directors meeting at which the proposal is considered. Please keep this in mind while writing your project timeline.

Please note: If a grant is awarded, the recipient will be expected to provide regular reports to the foundation on the project's progress and the expenditure of grant monies.

Deadlines

All required materials should be submitted to the Terra Foundation by the following deadlines:

Exhibition Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                   Board Meeting
March 1, 2010           June 1, 2010            Fall 2010
September 15, 2010  December 15, 2010   Spring 2011
March 1, 2011           June 1, 2011            Fall 2011

Academic Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                   Board Meeting
May 3, 2010             July 19, 2010             Fall 2010
November 1, 2010     January 10, 2011       Spring 2011
February 7, 2011       April 4, 2011               Summer 2011
September 1, 2011   October 14, 2011        Winter 2012


Public Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                   Board Meeting
May 3, 2010             July 26, 2010             Fall 2010 Meeting
August 3, 2010         October 15, 2010        Winter 2011
November 1, 2010     January 18, 2011       Spring 2011
May 2, 2011             July 22, 2011             Fall 2011
August 1, 2011         October 14, 2011       Winter 2012

Chicago K-12 Education Program
Letter of Inquiry        Proposal                    Board Meeting
May 3, 2010             July 26, 2010             Fall 2010 Meeting
August 3, 2010         October 15, 2010        Winter 2011
November 1, 2010     January 18, 2011       Spring 2011
May 2, 2011             July 22, 2011             Fall 2011
August 1, 2011         October 14, 2011        Winter 2011