Grant Opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility & Letter of Inquiry

• Who is eligible to submit a Letter of Inquiry?

  U.S.-based organizations must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Organizations outside the United States must have an equivalent charitable or nonprofit designation recognized by the appropriate authority in their country.

  Individuals, for-profit organizations, and organizations without recognized charitable or nonprofit status are not eligible to submit a Letter of Inquiry.

• Does my project need to use hollow fiber membrane filtration?

  Yes. The proposed project must use hollow fiber membrane filtration technology to be eligible for consideration by the Sawyer Foundation.

  The filtration technology used in the proposed project must also meet the Foundation’s filtration technology standards outlined below.

• What filtration technology standards must a project meet?

  To be eligible for consideration, the proposed filtration technology must:

  • Be rated to 0.1 micron absolute filtration.
  • Be tested at least three times by the manufacturer to demonstrate reliable removal of harmful pathogens.
  • Have tracking capability for each filter.
  • Provide each filter with a unique identification number or ID.

  Projects that do not meet these minimum filtration standards are not eligible for consideration.

• What are the Sawyer Foundation’s funding priorities?

  Among projects that meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements, we prioritize projects that demonstrate a strong commitment to:

  • Long-term sustainability in water filtration and access.
  • Training, follow-up, and local engagement that strengthen best practices.
  • Data collection or research that improves project implementation and outcomes.
  • Unique expertise, partnerships, or approaches that enhance global impact.

  Applicants should use their Letter of Inquiry to explain how their organization and proposed project align with these priorities.

Letter of Inquiry Process

• What is a Letter of Inquiry?

  A Letter of Inquiry (LOI) is a brief preliminary document that allows the Sawyer Foundation to learn more about your organization, the communities you serve, and the water project you are proposing.

  The LOI is the first step in the Sawyer Foundation’s grant process. It allows the Foundation to determine whether a proposed organization and project may be a good fit before requesting a full grant application.

• How do I begin the grant process?

  Organizations interested in partnering with the Sawyer Foundation should begin by completing and submitting the Letter of Inquiry template available on this page.

  After reviewing the LOI, the Foundation may invite the organization to participate in an introductory Zoom meeting. If the Foundation and organization determine that the proposed project may be a good fit, the organization will then be invited to submit a full grant application.

  Submission of a Letter of Inquiry does not guarantee an invitation to submit a full grant application or an award of funding.

• What should I include in my Letter of Inquiry?

  The Letter of Inquiry asks for a brief overview of your organization and proposed clean water project. You will be asked to provide:

  • Basic organization and contact information
  • Confirmation of your organization’s nonprofit status
  • The location of the proposed project
  • A brief description of the project, the community you hope to serve, and the need you are addressing
  • How hollow fiber membrane filters would be used in the project
  • The approximate number of people or households the project would serve
  • The amount of funding requested from the Sawyer Foundation
  • Your organization’s previous experience distributing or implementing hollow fiber membrane water filters, if applicable
  • How your organization will provide training, follow-up, and long-term support to communities receiving filters

  The Letter of Inquiry is intentionally brief. Please provide concise responses focused on your organization, the proposed project, and your experience with hollow fiber membrane filtration.

• What happens after I submit a Letter of Inquiry?

  The Sawyer Foundation will review your Letter of Inquiry to determine whether your organization and proposed project meet the Foundation’s eligibility requirements and align with its funding priorities.

  If the proposal appears to be a potential fit, a member of the Foundation team may contact you to schedule an introductory Zoom meeting.

• Will every organization that submits a Letter of Inquiry be invited to a meeting?

  No. The Letter of Inquiry is an initial screening step. The Foundation will invite organizations to an introductory meeting when the proposed organization and project appear to meet our eligibility requirements and align with our funding priorities.

  Due to the number of inquiries received and the Foundation’s available resources, submission of an LOI does not guarantee a meeting or further consideration.

• What happens during the introductory meeting?

  The introductory Zoom meeting gives the Foundation and organization an opportunity to learn more about one another, discuss the proposed project, answer questions, and determine whether there may be a strong basis for partnership.

  If both the organization and the Foundation agree that the project appears to be a good fit, the organization will be invited to submit a full grant application.

• When can I submit a Letter of Inquiry?

  Letters of Inquiry are accepted on a rolling basis.

  Organizations are encouraged to submit their LOI at least two to three months before the anticipated project start date whenever possible.

• How long does the Letter of Inquiry review process take?

  The Foundation aims to review Letters of Inquiry and communicate next steps within approximately two weeks of submission.

  Depending on the nature and volume of inquiries received, additional time may occasionally be required.

• Can I submit a Letter of Inquiry if I have received funding from the Sawyer Foundation before?

  Yes. Previous grant recipients may submit a new Letter of Inquiry, but they must demonstrate the impact of prior Foundation funding and provide updated information about the proposed project.

  Organizations that have previously applied but did not receive funding are also eligible to submit a new Letter of Inquiry.

Funding & Use of Funds

• How much funding does the Sawyer Foundation provide?

  Sawyer Foundation grants typically range from $1,000 to $25,000.

  The final grant amount and disbursement schedule are determined by the Sawyer Foundation based on the proposed project, available funding, and other relevant considerations.

• What can Sawyer Foundation grant funds be used for?

  Grant funds must support eligible clean water projects that use hollow fiber membrane filtration technology.

  Funds may support project implementation and essential program costs, including travel, local stipends, training materials, supplies, follow-up activities, monitoring, and data collection.

  Grant funds may not be used to purchase water filters.

• Can grant funds be used for salaries or administrative costs?

  Funds should primarily support project implementation and operations. Limited administrative expenses may be included when they are directly related to the implementation and management of the funded project.

Project Implementation & Reporting

• What are the reporting requirements for Sawyer Foundation grants?

  Grant recipients are required to submit a Completion Report within 60 days of project completion using the Sawyer Foundation’s reporting template.

  The report includes information about project activities, outcomes, spending, key lessons learned, and 2–3 high-quality photos, with permission for Foundation use.

  Grantees are also expected to maintain basic financial records, participate in quarterly virtual check-ins with the Foundation team, and respond to follow-up communications as needed.

  Additional reporting requirements may apply depending on the project.

• Is there a required timeline for project completion?

  Projects should generally be completed within two years of receiving funding. Extensions may be granted under special circumstances and should be discussed with the Sawyer Foundation as early as possible.

• Do funded projects need to follow specific implementation guidelines?

  Yes. Funded projects should follow recognized best practices for hollow fiber membrane filter distribution, training, and follow-up to support long-term project success.

  When Sawyer water filters are used, Sawyer’s Best Practices document may serve as a helpful model.

• What happens if a funded project does not go as planned?

  If significant challenges arise, grantees should communicate promptly with the Sawyer Foundation. The Foundation will work with the grantee to discuss appropriate adjustments or alternative solutions.

Additional Questions

• Are there additional resources or support available?

  Yes. Organizations interested in partnering with the Sawyer Foundation are invited to participate in the Foundation’s quarterly webinars, which provide practical resources and strategies for strengthening organizational effectiveness, fundraising, donor engagement, storytelling, and the impact of clean water projects.