What is the JustFund Common Application™?
This article provides guidance on how to complete the JustFund Common Application™.
If you’re a funder who wants to learn more, start here. If you’re a potential applicant exploring JustFund’s benefits, start here.
JustFund is the nation's first – and only – common grant application platform designed to move more money to communities that are chronically underfunded and historically excluded.
Instead of completing a brand new application for each funding opportunity, applicants save dozens of hours by using one common application accepted by all funders on JustFund. Funders are permitted to ask three separate questions or requests attachments, so applicants only have to answer those supplemental requests when applying.
Important Information about the JustFund Common Application™
- You can update your profile at any time. Once your profile is published, it will be visible to all funders on JustFund, increasing the reach of your work to new funders and networks.
- Your organization's profile will be submitted as part of your application to a funding opportunity. The basic information section of your profile, including mission statement, organization description, and team description, will be dated at the time of submission. Any updates to the basic information section will not show on applications submitted before editing these fields.
- Changes made to the profile filters will reflect on any submitted application, even if the application was submitted prior to updating the profile filters fields.
- Once your common application profile is published, applicants can search for eligible funding opportunities using the Funding Opportunities tab on the dashboard.
Tips for Completing the JustFund Common Application™
Saving your common application profile
To save your application, all required fields must be completed. If you are still finalizing responses to the required sections (basic information, mission statement, organization description, team description, and financial information), we recommend adding placeholder information so that you can save your progress.
Entering your organization's address
Step 1: Use the dropdown menu to choose your organization’s country.
Step 2: Type your organization's street address in the street address field; entering your organization's address will generate a list of possible matches.
Step 3: Select your organization's address when it appears in the menu list; this will enable the corresponding state, city, and zip code to auto-populate in the state/territory, city, and zip code/post code fields.
Note: Organizations based in the U.S. do not need to manually add a state. Adding the street address will auto-populate the state.
Adding your organization’s mission statement
In a few sentences, your mission statement should describe your organization’s current approach and how you’re different from other organizations. A mission statement is different from a vision statement which is aspirational and highlights what your organization hopes to achieve in the long-term. Find more tips on writing a mission statement on our Applicant Hub.
Adding your organization description
Funders want to understand the problem you are solving. A compelling narrative will elicit an emotional connection with funders. This can be done using a beneficiary’s testimonial or the founder’s personal reasons for starting the organization. Find more tips on our Applicant Hub.
Adding your organization’s team description
Use this field to introduce funders to your organization's key staff members, volunteers or partners. This section should affirm your organization's ability to carry out the project or initiative outlined in your common application. Describe staff members' professional experience, include personal experiences that align with your organization's mission, and outline the nature of your partnerships with other organizations. Find more tips on our Applicant Hub.
Completing the grantmaking field
Select 'yes' if your organization receives grant dollars to redistribute to grantees. Then enter your organization's annual grantmaking budget, including expenses, the average grant amount, and the number of grants issued per year. You can also name the type of grant, funding category, and priorities in this section. If your organization does not engage in regranting activities or you are uncertain, select 'no' or 'not sure.'
Adding your organization’s annual budget information
We recommend adding your organization's annual operational budget in the annual budget field. The operational budget encompasses all expenses and income for the organization within one fiscal year, including general administrative costs, salaries, program revenue and expenses, and income from grants and donations.
We've created a one-number annual budget template to help you determine your organization's budget figure. The one-number budget is an organization’s operating budget for one fiscal year. It is calculated by subtracting grants and other assistance to domestic organizations, governments, and individuals, grants made to foreign entities and individuals, and benefits to members from the total functional expenses. This formula is based on the IRS' nonprofit annual report, Form 990.
Completing funding request information
You are required to include the grant amount you are requesting, but the financial need field is optional. We recommend using this part of the application to further explain your organization’s priorities, strategies, and long-term goals that would be supported by grant funds. Find more tips on our Applicant Hub.
Providing supplemental information
Funders may ask up to three additional questions and request up to three attachments per grant cycle. While you will not have to complete a common application for every funding opportunity, please ensure you respond to specific requests for additional information by each funder.
Note: Please ensure your profile is up-to-date when applying to a funding opportunity.
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