Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. On rare occasions, substantially larger grants have been approved and special fundraising efforts undertaken.

Programs that target Bahamian youth are of particular importance. This stems from the belief that meeting the emotional, educational and recreational needs of children and young adults is the most effective long-term method of preventing community problems.

The Committee has developed a list of "preferences" which act as guidelines:

* Specific programs over general ones
* Existing programs over start-ups
* Funding capital costs over operating costs
* Discourages gifts to other endowments, religious or government agencies.

Once a request passes the initial screening process, a comprehensive due diligence process commences focused on the following four areas:

* Organizational structure and reporting requirements;
* Fiscal strength, discipline and accountability;
* Specifics of the project/program under consideration;
* Relative importance of the project or program to the community.

This process may include:

* Face-to-face interviews
* Site visits
* Background and reference checks
* Review of financial statements and budgets
* Review of relevant program literature, etc.

Only at the conclusion of this detailed review will the Gifts and Grants Committee make its formal recommendation to the Boards of Directors. The Foundations require a formal reporting and evaluation procedure once a grant has been approved.

There is no grant application form. Anyone interested in submitting a request for consideration should send a letter detailing the exact nature of the project or program as well as any other information that will help the Committee expedite its review process to:

Chairman, Gifts and Grants Committee
Lyford Cay Foundation
P.O. Box N-7776
Nassau, Bahamas.

Application deadlines:

February 1 to be considered by March 30
April 1 to be considered by June 1
October 1 to be considered by November 30

Applicants are encouraged to apply early as requests are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.