The ARRL Foundation generally awards start up funding to organizations for new amateur radio related projects, and are rarely awarded for follow up projects. The funding awards range from $1,000 to $3,000, with most awards approximately $2000.
The focus of the grant program is to support Amateur Radio organizations with programs to educate, license and support Amateur Radio activities with emphasis on youth-based activities. The ARRL Foundation does not fund state/county or city-based emergency communications equipment vans or facilities. The ARRL Foundation fund on-going operations or expenses. It is rare for the Foundation to award a grant for more than one year or to renew a prior grant.
ARRL Foundation grants may be General Fund Grants, or may qualify under one of the following Special Programs:
Bill Orr, W6SAI Award for Technical Writing
WRTC Youth Grant
World Radiocommunications Grant
Scout Handbook Grant
The review process for grant proposals takes about 8 -- 10 weeks. Proposals are sent to a three member Grants Committee that makes a recommendation to the full Foundation Board. A majority vote of the full Board is required for grant approval. The Grants Committee may have questions or seek clarifications from applications. Responses to such inquiries are required in writing before the review process is finalized and the proposal is submitted for Board vote.
Proposals should be sent electronically and may be accompanied by brief supporting documents that are needed to clarify elements of the proposal.
There is no formal proposal period and proposals are reviewed as they are received during the year. Using the forms provided on the ARRL website, applicants should download the forms and submit a proposal electronically to the Foundation Secretary Mary M. Hobart, K1MMH at mhobart@arrl.org
Successful grantees are required to provide the ARRL Foundation with progress reports and final reports on completion of the project, detailing the results and impact of the project, and a final financial report. The ARRL Foundation should receive copies of any press releases or coverage, including photographs that may be used for a web story or in QST.
Questions about the grant-making process and contributions to the ARRL Foundation may be directed to Mary Hobart, K1MMH, ARRL Foundation Secretary by email at foundation@arrl.org or by phone at 860-594-0397.