Beginning November 24, 2008, the Samueli Foundation will no longer be accepting Letters Of Inquiry (LOI) or unsolicited proposals.

The United States is in the midst of challenging economic times requiring everyone to rethink their responsibilities and priorities. The Samueli Foundation remains committed to continuing to provide a level of support that minimizes the severity of these conditions.

Like everyone, the Foundation has been impacted. Fortunately, the Foundation remains strong, and committed to its mission. To do so though requires that the Foundation concentrate its resources with its current grantees and partners ensuring their stability. This year the Samueli Foundation distributed over $18 million in grants. Next year’s funding will be mostly comprised of already committee funding to nonprofits through approved capital grants and multi-year operating and program grants.

During the past three years, the Samueli Foundation has increased both the amount and the total number of grants awarded each year.  Because of the substantial amount of grants already approved for next year, the strong desire to evaluate the effectiveness of the Foundation’s prior grant making, and a desire to reassess the state of the volatile economy, the Trustees have announced that the Foundation will not be reviewing Letters Of Inquiry or unsolicited proposals until further notice.

It is anticipated that as circumstances change, the Foundation will publish updated guidelines and any changes relevant to its grant making process on its web site. The Foundation recognizes the challenges that lie ahead, and believe that concentrating its resources on the great work already being provided by its partners is the best way to ensure that the safety net continues to be maintained.