The Dell Foundation will provide limited open grants year-round to programs and services that fall outside the timeline and scope of the Empowering Youth grant program. Open grants will be for financial, volunteer or in-kind support, limited to $5,000 or less and serve populations in Dell's principal US locations. Open Grant proposals are limited to one submission per calendar year.
To apply, click here: Open Grant Application 
. Please note – Microsoft Word applications are no longer accepted. Please apply using the online grant application via the link provided. Thank you.
Timing
Open grant applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis:
| Applications submitted: | Notification by: |
 |
| February through April | June 15 |
| May through July | September 15 |
| August through October | December 15 |
| November through January | March 15 |
Criteria: - Organization must be in one of the following counties to qualify for an Open Grant:
- In Idaho: Twin Falls County
- In Illinois: Lake County and Cook County
- In New Hampshire: Hillsborough County
- In North Carolina: Forsyth County and Guilford County
- In Ohio: Butler County or Hamilton County
- In Oklahoma: Oklahoma County
- In Tennessee: Wilson County and Davidson County
- In Texas: Travis County and Williamson County
- Must be registered nonprofit organizations. Priority given to agencies that are registered 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service.
- Must be for direct programs and services to youth ages newborn to high school seniors.
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Foundation giving does not extend to individuals, academic or research projects, civic, religious or political institutions, school fundraisers, marketing opportunities or sports events and organizations.
The Dell Foundation looks for one or more of the following conditions in an application:
Catalyst - Foundation support would be vital or catalytic to a proposed project's success.
- Collaboration - A collaborative network exists that multiplies the impact of the grant.
- Sustainability - The proposed project is likely to continue and expand after the grant period.
- Innovation - The proposal is innovative and efficient in the use of funds.
- Avoids redundancy - Administrative expenses are reduced by sharing resources with other agencies and groups.
- Outcome oriented - The project is well planned and has well-defined measurable outcomes.
- Relevancy - The project reflects and meets a basic community need.
- Diversity - Services are culturally sensitive and barrier free.
- Immediacy - Funding is directed to those most in need.
- Prevention orientation - Integration with educational programs.
- Efficient - Effective, innovative use of technological infrastructure.
- Community collaboration - Affects more than one county of geographic scope.
- Quality standards - Adherence to the better business bureau's Charitable Standards.