I. Foundation Purpose

To operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, for the benefit of the residents of the McLean Planning District of Fairfax County in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

II. Grants Criteria

1. Most projects funded by the Foundation should (1) be of a permanent or semi-permanent benefit to the McLean community at large, and (2) contribute to the community spirit or to a "sense of place" for McLean residents; grants should therefore fund the acquisition of tangible assets, or the initiation or expansion of activities for which continued funding in future years, from sources other than the Foundation, is reasonably assured.
2. Most Foundation grants should be designed to encourage the generation of funds from other sources, and should be designated as "seed money" to initiate new programs, or "challenge" grants.
3. Although preference should be given to grant applications from organizations maintaining a physical presence within the McLean Planning District, other Northern Virginia organizations shall be eligible for grants if (1) they have a history of providing substantial educational or charitable benefits to residents of McLean, and (2) the Foundation funds requested are to be used for that purpose.
4. There shall be no obligation on the part of the Foundation, nor expectation on the part of any applicant or grantee, for the Foundation to provide any additional project funding other than the original grant.
5. Foundation monies shall be expended in ways complementary to the work of other community groups, or in cooperation with them. In no event should Foundation projects duplicate or, by displacing, discourage the work of other community groups.
6. Applicants for any Foundation grant shall furnish evidence of community need and substantial support for any proposed project.
7. No grants are to inure to the benefit of any individuals or small groups, except as payments for services performed for the community at large, or such nominal amounts as would be needed for awards in community betterment competitions sponsored or co-sponsored by the Foundation.
8. Grants shall be limited to those that are in conformance with the Foundation's status under the Internal Revenue Code as a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) corporation.
9. Except for the requirement that projects be for the benefit of residents of the McLean Planning District, the Foundation shall administer funds available to it on a non-discriminatory basis, and in full compliance with applicable State and Federal regulations.
10. The Foundation may impose conditions on the grant to ensure that the funds are spent in a proper and timely manner.
11. The Foundation may on occasion choose to fund a project (normally in an amount not exceeding $1,000) which does not satisfy entirely the Foundation's criteria but is generally supportive of the Foundation's purposes and is especially worthy.
12. six months (or another date, depending on circumstances) after the date of the Grant Agreement, the Grantee shall furnish to the Foundation satisfactory evidence that the Grantee has acquired and paid for the items to be funded by the grant.
13. Unless exceptional circumstances are demonstrated, grant applications will be considered twice per year; those received by October 1st and those received by February 1st.