More advice about timing issues straight from the horse’s mouth:
Deadlines
“If the staff receive preliminary proposals a month before the deadline, they can sometimes provide feedback in time for applicants to make changes and still meet the deadline.”
Project Period
“Projects extending over more than one year are normally not considered. In general, support is provided for seed money and for special projects. The sponsor is generally unwilling to assume responsibility for the long-term support of any organization or activity.”
– Ahmanson Foundation
Re-submission Interval
“Note this interval is much longer that required by most funders, but may reflect a new trend for coping with the volume of applications: “Because the Foundations give grants nationwide, there normally should be an interval of 4-5 years from the time an award is made until a new proposal is submitted.”
– Arthur Vining Davis Foundation