“I don’t think they realize that they can,” says Laurie A.Z. Bitter, CLU, CFP, when asked why some members don’t apply for MDRT Foundation grants, “and I don’t think they realize how efficient and easy the process is.”

The 27-year MDRT member from Elgin, Illinois, USA, recently secured a $2,500 Global Grant for the Ecker Center for Behavioral Health’s crisis stabilization program, which provides 24/7 on-site support for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Bitter, who traces her support of the organization to seeing a friend in high school struggle with mental illness, has served on Ecker’s boards and committees throughout the last 20-plus years and also helped them receive grants in 2012 and 2015.

Bitter and Jennifer Flory, Ecker’s marketing and development manager, answer a few questions to clarify the MDRT Foundation grant application process for members and organizations:

What should members know about the process of applying for a grant?

Bitter: Over the years, the process has been simplified. As a member of MDRT, I just wrote an endorsement letter for the organization explaining what they do, their impact in the community and how important it is. Then the charity submitted it with the grant application online. We started in August, and within six months the organization was notified that they had received a grant.

How was the experience using the online submission portal?

Flory: I prefer portals rather than submitting things via email or any other way because you’re able to see everything at a glance and download the content you’ve submitted to refer to later. It was pretty straightforward. The character limit, file size limit, all that stuff was helpful, so I didn’t have to go back and redo anything.

What interactions did you have with MDRT Foundation staff?

Flory: I submitted the application through the portal, and then I followed up with the email provided in the application a few weeks later because I had forgotten what the time line was. [The MDRT Foundation grants coordinator] got back to me and let me know when to expect a decision. We appreciate the opportunity and also the collaboration. The more people involved in helping each other in the community, the better.

What else should others know?

Bitter: No. 1, apply. You don’t have any chance of getting a grant if you don’t apply for it. Also, I didn’t realize that the application deadline was September 1, and I found out recently through a colleague that you can apply every other year. I particularly thank Fred O’Connor, ChFC, CFP, an 11-year MDRT member from Deerfield, Illinois, USA, and a huge supporter of the MDRT Foundation and its grants program, for encouraging me to put in for the grant.

You can help a charity apply for grant funding from the MDRT Foundation. Go to mdrtfoundation.org to learn more.