- Where does the RealNetworks Foundation make grants?
The Foundation makes Community Enhancement Grants that are geographically restricted to eligible organizations in cities where employees of RealNetworks live and work. Currently, this includes:
- Seattle, WA (Puget Sound Region)
- Reston, VA (Metro D.C.)
- New York, NY
- Does the RealNetworks Foundation make grants outside of cities where employees of RealNetworks live and work?
No. Currently, the Foundation makes only Community Enhancement Grants which are geographically-restricted.
- How many grant cycles are there each year and what are the deadlines?
The Foundation has two grant cycles per year with closing dates in the Spring and the Fall.
Spring Grant Cycle
The deadline for submitting a Community Enhancement Grant application for consideration as part of the 2012 Grant Cycle is April 12, 2012. (5:00 PM PDT)
Fall Grant Cycle
The deadline for submitting an application for consideration as part of the 2012 Grant Cycle is October 11, 2012. (5:00PM PST)
- How much should we request?
Typically, Community Enhancement Grants will be made for a maximum of $10,000.
In general, the Foundation does not fund requests that are more than ten percent (10%) of the total program budget.
- May we submit more than one application for consideration at a time?
No. The Foundation will accept only one grant application per organization during a given funding cycle.
- Who reviews the grant applications for the RealNetworks Foundation?
Teams of RealNetworks employees serve on Grant Review Teams. These teams evaluate grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Foundation's Board of Directors. The Foundation Board makes all grant decisions.
- When will applicants be notified of the grant decisions?
The Foundation is committed to reviewing and evaluating grant applications in a thorough and timely manner. Typically, grant decisions are made about 15 weeks after the closing date. Fall Cycle applicants are generally notified by mid-February. Spring Cycle applicants are generally notified by mid-August.
- Our organization doesn't have paid staff. Can we still apply for a grant?
No. Applicant organizations must have at least one, full-time, paid staff manager to be eligible for a competitive grant from the Foundation.
- Do I have to complete the entire application in one online session?
You may complete a portion of the application, save your information and return to the web site at a later time to finish and submit your application. (When you are ready to officially submit your application, please press the "Submit" button. Once you submit your application, you will not be able to edit or change it. Please print a copy of your application for your records.)
- How do I access an incomplete application that I saved, but have not submitted?
Before you begin the application, you will be required to register. When you return to complete the application, you will log into the system using the account number assigned to your organization and the User ID and Password that you created. Then, click on the incomplete application that you'd like to edit. (Applicants must retain their account number, User ID and password to access an application in process and grantees must likewise retain the information to submit their six month Progress Report.)
- Who may I contact if I have questions or need help with the online application?
The Foundation contracts with J.K. Group to administer its online grant application. Please contact the administrator at 1-866-604-5477 or via email at realgrants@easymatch.com if you have questions or need assistance with the online application. Please note that the EasyMatch help line is open Monday - Friday until 6:00 PM ET.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application on a business day prior to the deadline to ensure that assistance is available should you have questions.
- Who should I notify if my agency's contact information changes?
You are responsible for ensuring that your organization's contact information is accurate and current. If there is a change in leadership or contact information, please notify the Foundation's program administrator at EasyMatch in writing by sending an email to realgrants@easymatch.com.