BP Thacker

BP Thacker

The Empowerment Foundation founded in 1998 is a private, charitable foundation engaged in work that enhances education through technology with a focus to support disadvantaged communities. The Foundation was established by Bhagwan P. Thacker, philanthropist, and owner of DSSI, LLC a global provider of procurement services. Based in Southfield, Michigan, DSSI also has offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Louisville, Kentucky, and Bratislava, Slovakia.

In all its dealings with the public, it is the Foundation’s intent to be accessible, objective, cordial, and professional. The policy of the Foundation is to issue grants only to organizations which are (i) exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”); (ii) described in Code Section 501(c)(3); and (iii) not classified as a private foundation described in Code Section 509(a). We will also fund FCRA-compliant organizations in India. Grants are not made to individuals.

I. The Foundation’s Board meets regularly throughout the year, and final decisions and payouts are made year-round.

II. A grant applicant will not receive more than one grant within a calendar year.

III. An invitation for an organization to move forward to a full application proves clear interest in a given program/ project/ or organization, however, is not a guarantee for funding.

IV. Foundation support is not restricted to those organizations in support of or promoting the beliefs of a particular creed or denomination.

V. The Foundation traditionally focuses its funding on organizations operating within India specifically the State of Gujarat. The Foundation will, however, give some consideration to organizations located in Detroit Michigan as well as throughout the United States that represent the listed areas of focus.

WHAT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS DOES THE FOUNDATION SUPPORT?

The Foundation distributes grants only to qualified public entities or organizations exempt from tax under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code and FCRA-complaint organizations in India.  

WHAT TYPES OF PROGRAMS DOES THE FOUNDATION SUPPORT? 

The Foundation is guided by its funding priorities. The funding areas of interest are education, technology, health and family, and individual reliance. 

WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL GUIDELINES FOR A GRANT REQUEST? 

As a guideline, The Foundation typically will not fund more than 25 percent of a project’s budget or more than 10 percent of an organization’s total annual operating budget.

WHAT ARE THE DEADLINES FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS? 

The Foundation accepts grant applications throughout the year. However, it is a good idea to submit an application at least six months before the funding is needed.

WHAT TYPES OF GRANTS DOES THE FOUNDATION FUND? 

The Foundation will fund general operating expenses, requests for specific programs or projects, and capital requests.

WHAT WILL THE FOUNDATION NOT FUND? 

The Foundation does not make grants to underwrite fundraising events, professional conferences, symposiums, performances, competition expenses, or to fund endowments.

The Foundation does not support lobbying of any kind. The Foundation does not support other private foundations or commercial businesses.

The Foundation does not make loans or grants to individuals.

WHAT GEOGRAPHIC REGION DOES THE FOUNDATION FUND IN? 

The Foundation makes grants to organizations in Michigan with a special interest in the Detroit area and adjoining counties. Most of our grants go to agencies that work in underserved communities in this region.

The Foundation also supports organizations doing work in India with a specific interest in the town of Anjar where Mr. Thacker was raised extending to the district of Kachchh and the State of Gujarat.  

IS A LETTER OF INQUIRY REQUIRED BEFORE SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL? 

A letter of inquiry is not required, but one may be sent if there is uncertainty about a grant request being a match for The Foundation.

ARE GRANT REQUESTS REQUIRED TO BE IN A PARTICULAR FORM? 

All grant requests must be submitted in the format provided on the website. 

CAN A MEETING BE SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE GRANT REQUEST? 

The process begins by reviewing an application or letter of inquiry. If we determine that a meeting or site visit would be beneficial, you will be contacted.

HOW OFTEN ARE GRANT REQUESTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD? 

The Foundation accepts requests throughout the year and reviews grants monthly.

HOW WILL I KNOW IF AN APPLICATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED OR REJECTED? 

All applicants will receive written communication regarding the disposition of their application. Grant requests are typically processed within three to four months after an application has been received.

IF THE FOUNDATION APPROVES A GRANT REQUEST, WHEN CAN PAYMENT BE EXPECTED? 

Upon approval, The Foundation will send a grant award letter and a grant contract, which must be signed and returned. The grant will not be paid until The Foundation receives the contract.

IF A GRANT REQUEST IS DECLINED WHEN CAN ANOTHER GRANT REQUEST BE SUBMITTED? 

Although a new grant request can be submitted earlier, the board will not consider a new request until 12 months after the decision to decline the previous grant request.

IF A GRANT REQUEST IS ACCEPTED, CAN ANOTHER GRANT REQUEST BE SUBMITTED? 

Although a new grant request can be submitted earlier, the board will not consider a new request until 12 months after the decision to approve the previous grant request AND The Foundation has received the final report.

IF A GRANT REQUEST IS APPROVED WILL I NEED TO REPORT ON THE GRANT? 

Organizations funded by The Foundation must provide a full report of previous grant expenditures and outcomes of the grant.

Specific details on the grant reports can be found here under grant reporting.  

I AM A NEW ORGANIZATION AND DON’T HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION REQUESTED. CAN I STILL APPLY? 

New organizations may submit a grant request. Include the most current information available in the application. Once the grant application is reviewed by a Foundation staff member, you will be contacted if additional information is required.

SHOULD AN ORGANIZATION WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE FOUNDATION BEFORE APPLYING TO OTHER FOUNDATIONS? 

An organization should not wait. It is a good idea to submit applications to multiple funding sources as doing so will improve the chances of raising funds.