Frequently Asked Questions — 2022 and Beyond

Note: Beginning in 2022, Meyer will transition away from the Annual Funding Opportunity as its primary vehicle for grantmaking. We will continue to update this FAQ with additional information.

Don't see your question answered here? Please let us know by sending an email to questions [at] mmt.org. 

What is this change all about?

Over the summer of 2021, Meyer's board of trustees – advancing our equity journey – unanimously approved putting racial justice at the center of what we do. Staff and trustees undertook a deep dive into our grantmaking approaches. We developed a strategy that will chart Meyer's course for the years ahead, a trajectory guided by the needs and wisdom of the communities we serve. We are incredibly excited to share more in the new year with our communities about that strategic framework and how it will strengthen our work and transform this place we call home. You can read more about our evolution in this blog post. 

Will Meyer pause grantmaking?

No. Meyer grantmaking will continue throughout 2022, awarding a total that is consistent with recent years. Although we are not pausing, we will be funding in different ways that no longer include our Annual Funding Opportunity as the primary grantmaking vehicle.

If you aren’t pausing, how will you do grantmaking this year?

Several ways. First, we will extend recent funding decisions by making continuation grants in early 2022 for most organizations whose current grants with Meyer are winding down. Second, we will continue our partnership in the Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Funder Collaborative, and Justice Oregon for Black Lives will continue as planned. Third, we will develop new community-centered grantmaking opportunities, likely to launch in late summer or fall, building on our experience with Justice Oregon in which Black community members were directly involved in shaping the funding goals and approach. Finally, as always, we will remain responsive when urgent funding needs or opportunities arise that are in strong alignment with Meyer’s strategy but fall outside other funding timelines.

How will I know if my organization's grant is being continued?

We will extend recent funding decisions by making continuation grants in early 2022 to most organizations whose current grants with Meyer are winding down. Meyer’s program team will be contacting grantee organizations in January and February, and all renewals will be confirmed by March. You can also reach out to your program contact person directly.

Will you go back to having an open call next year?

We do not expect to return to our Annual Funding Opportunity approach. We do anticipate having open application processes in the future, but we don’t know exactly what that will look like yet. We will work with community members and peers to co-create funding goals and approaches that will launch during 2022, likely the second half of the year.

How can I participate in Meyer’s community engagement process this year?

We'll be sharing more information on the process and timeline regularly over the coming months. One model of how we're already operating differently and intentionally is Meyer's Justice Oregon for Black Lives initiative, where Oregon's Black communities have been at the table with us to co-create goals and priorities and review grants together. Our intention is to make this way of working the norm as we move forward.

What issues will you fund in the future?

We are not walking away from education, housing, the environment or building communities. We expect to continue funding values-aligned work in those areas because we heard loud and clear from BIPOC communities that those are priorities. We may identify additional areas of focus as we work with community members this year to co-create new funding approaches. For example, based on community input, Justice Oregon for Black Lives has funding goals related to public safety, healing from trauma, and arts and culture.

Will you still have a portfolio structure?

We will continue funding work related to education, housing, the environment and resilient communities, but our structure will evolve through the year to one that better supports cross-issue approaches to strengthening transformative movements, shifting systems and supporting BIPOC communities.

Meyer's 10-year, $20 million Willamette River Initiative is a great example of how we have been moving for many years toward more integrated, holistic and strategic funding. The initiative was about the river, and it was also about people. The approach involved investing in learning, community-building, collaboration and inclusion between funders and grantee partners from the beginning. Funders worked in deep relationship with partners doing the work on the ground throughout the decadelong initiative.

Will I still have the same program contact person at Meyer?

Yes. While our structure is in transition, Meyer’s program staff members will continue to work with the same grantees and partners that they currently do.

Common Questions about Meyer's Application Process

How do I submit an application?

We used to accept grant applications through Meyer’s GrantIS application portal, but we are currently switching to GivingData. This help section will be replaced by GivingData help after the transition has been completed. Read more about our transition from GrantIS to GivingData.

Can we use a fiscal sponsor for our grant application?

Yes, Meyer allows 501(c)(3) public charity organizations to fiscally sponsor grant applications for other organizations that do not have that specific tax-exempt status. The fiscal sponsor organization will need to submit the grant application and if the grant is approved, will become the grantee and recipient of the grant award. Learn more about fiscal sponsorships.

Meyer’s guidelines provide a range of funding amounts. How do I know how much I should ask for?

The request amount should take into consideration the overall project size, project complexity, organization size and other funding sources. Please note that we only expect to make a modest number of grants at the top end of the funding ranges we have provided for each program. Each funding opportunity provides further guidance about request amounts. If you are unsure about what amount to request, you can contact us at questions [at] mmt.org or at 503-228-5512, and we will be happy to discuss.

Where can I find information about upcoming funding opportunities?

All opportunities will be posted on our Apply page, and shared in Meyer’s newsletters, which you can subscribe to here.

Eligibility + Alignment

My organization currently has an active grant with Meyer. Are we eligible to apply for additional grants?

Generally, organizations that received multi-year grant funding through one of Meyer's Annual Funding Opportunities will not be eligible to apply for another Annual Funding Opportunity grant—unless they receive prior approval from the portfolio’s director.   

We anticipate that approvals will be exceptions and will be made only in situations in which total Meyer funding during the grant period would not comprise a significant portion (~20%) of the organization's total operating budget and in which one or more of the following apply:

• the organization is applying on behalf of a collaborative or as a fiscal sponsor;
• the organization is applying to the Housing Opportunities portfolio for a capital grant project and has other funding secured for the project;
• there is an extraordinary and time-sensitive opportunity that clearly advances the portfolio's highest priorities; and/or
• the organization has significant and distinct programming that falls in a different Meyer portfolio than its current grant.  

Organizations receiving funds through one of Meyer’s Requests For Proposals are eligible to apply for a grant through an Annual Funding Opportunity, but are highly encouraged to contact their currently assigned Meyer program staff prior to applying.

My organization’s work aligns with more than one portfolio’s goals. How do I know which portfolio to apply under?

Applicants will be asked to select one portfolio and identify which of that portfolio’s goal their proposal aligns with best. Applicants may include information about alignment with one or more of the other portfolio goals in the proposal narrative. We anticipate that for most organizations, the strongest connection with one portfolio and goal will be clear. However, if after reviewing the details about our funding opportunities, you feel that your request fits equally well with more than one portfolio, please contact us at questions [at] mmt.orgtarget="_blank", and we will be happy to explore the best option with you.

Other questions

Do you have to be an environmental organization to apply for Healthy Environment funding, a housing organization to apply for Housing Opportunities funding, or an educational institution to apply for Equitable Education funding?

No. We encourage organizations whose work will further our portfolios’ goals to apply for funding, regardless of how they identify.

Getting in touch

What is the best way to keep up to date about funding opportunities?

To be sure you receive timely updates, please sign up for our newsletter.

Can I schedule an appointment to meet with Meyer staff ahead of a funding opportunity?

We are not able to schedule in-person one-on-one meetings with all potential applicants. However, if you want to talk about your proposal, please email questions [at] mmt.org or call us at 503-228-5512, and we will connect you with the right person.

What’s the best way to contact staff with questions?

Please send your general question to questions [at] mmt.org or call us at 503-228-5512, and we will connect you with the right person to assist you.