We invest in relevant and timely activities that use a cooperative approach to community building. Successful proposals will describe the essential work you do in the community, how it involves others in the community who need to be a part of truly successful problem-solving and long-term planning for our community’s future.

We invite creativity and imagination in the preparation of grant requests. We hope the application process is an exploration on how to build a community where everyone thrives. Funding for the competitive grants program comes from the Community Foundation’s endowments, donations, and gifts from designated and donor advised funds.

We place the highest priority on ideas that fuel inspiring, actionable, relevant programs which:

• Reflect and promote the diversity of the communities we serve
• Advance equity and inclusion
• Leverage resources
• Cultivate neighborliness
• Link demonstrated needs with opportunities in our community
• Address and help resolve important existing or emerging community issues
• Support creative projects that offer the greatest opportunity for positive and significant change
• Facilitate cooperation and collaboration among organizations
• Lift community voices

Ineligible applicants and activities include:

• Organizations that discriminate based on gender, religion, sexual orientation or identity, ethnicity, national origin or physical ability
• Religious activities (grants will not be made for religious purposes but may be made to faith-based organizations for the non-religious programs offered to the broader community)
• Incomplete, unrealistic, or unclear applications
• Political campaigns
• Sponsorships, tickets for benefits, recurring events or annual fundraising campaigns
• Endowment funds
• Debt retirement
• Funding for individuals or for-profit organizations

Unless otherwise noted in the grant round you are applying for, eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations with a valid letter from the IRS recognizing its 501(c)3 status, Native American Tribes, religious and educational institutions, and projects with an approved fiscal sponsor. City or County Government requests for non-essential, quality of life, community enhancement projects not typically funded through tax dollars may be eligible.

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