how to apply for a community foundation grant

Community Grants – How to Apply

Cumberland Community Foundation is a nonprofit (501(c)(3)) charitable foundation established in 1980 by Dr. Lucile Hutaff with a gift of $576,840.  Today, Cumberland Community Foundation’s assets exceed $48 million in more than 400 grantmaking funds.  Many of these grantmaking funds support specific charitable causes chosen by the donors who establish them; ranging from scholarships to designated charities to very specific charitable programs.  Dr. Hutaff’s gift was a “Community Fund” – an unrestricted endowment that enables the Foundation’s board to support the best opportunities and greatest priorities in our community each year.

Community Grants are awarded annually through a competitive process.  Most grants are for single year programs, although multiyear grants may be considered.  Please see below for the link to 2011 Community Grant Guidelines for additional details on the application process and the form.

ELIGBILITY

Cumberland Community Foundation welcomes grant requests from nonprofit organizations that:

• are located in or provide services to Cumberland County; and
• are classified as nonprofit charitable organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code.

DEADLINES

The Letter of Intent & Data Form must be received by August 15 at 5:00 p.m.  The Grants Committee will consider all eligible requests and determine what organizations/projects will be invited to submit a Grant Application.  For organizations invited to apply the Grant Application must be received by September 30 at 5:00 p.m.

• We do not accept applications by e-mail.  They should be mailed or hand delivered.

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
• Late applications will not be considered. 
• Applications with bindings or clips or staples will not be considered. 

INTEREST AREAS AND PRIORITIES
The Foundation has defined the following six as Interest Areas (presented in alphabetical order) and desired Outcomes are suggested (as examples).  Note: Cumberland Community Foundation remains open to proposals that identify emerging needs, even where needs assessment indicators have not yet been identified.

• Arts, Culture, & Recreation -- Increase the usage of arts programs.
• Civic Engagement -- Build social capital and civic activity.  (A relationship or network of people and institutions with common values and a willingness to collaborate; therefore, enabling effective achievement of social and economic goals.)
• Economic Development & Community Advancement -- Attract new business and industry, increase the tax base, and raise wages. 
• Education -- Reduce achievement gaps and improve the academic achievement levels of all students.
• Environment & Sustainability -- Create an overall healthier and sustainable environment. 
• Health & Human Services -- Ensuring no one lacks basic needs and services.

TYPES OF INVESTMENTS

Cumberland Community Foundation makes three types of investments from Community Funds that address Interest Areas and Priorities.  The Foundation reserves the right to decide with the organization the type of investment.  All proposals must clearly state the expected measurable outcomes with evaluation strategies and data source (not just activity and process).

1. Improving Lives and Conditions (Program Grants) -- Investing in special programs and services created to respond to the needs of individual citizens, ultimately creating gains in the lives of all Cumberland County residents. 
2.  Investing in Organizations (Capacity Building Grants) – Investing in organizations that deliver services.  Groups where enhanced capacity and sustainability will create increased human gain are attractive candidates for this type of investment.  Awards may be used for general operating support, staff development, improving organizational structure, buildings and equipment, and strategic or other plans.
3. Advancing Innovation (Piloting or Replicating Models) -- Testing the ability of a new approach to outperform an existing practice.

RESTRICTIONS

No grants are made from our Community Funds to or for:

• Individuals
• National fundraising drives
• Tickets for benefits or fundraising events
• Political organizations or candidates for public office 
• Lobbying activities 
• Endowment funds (see the Lilly Endowment Challenge program)
• Scholarships (see Scholarship Program)
• Budget deficits / failure to raise adequate annual operating support  
• Membership dues
• Religious organizations for religious purposes (Community Grants do not support programs/projects with  religious content or purpose or buildings owned by religious organizations)*

*Note:  Donors frequently support these religious causes and others listed above with their Donor Advised Funds and Designated Funds.  This grant restriction applies only to Community Funds.

REVIEW TIMELINE

The review process takes approximately 12 weeks from submission of your Letter of Intent to the review of the Grant Application and a final decision.  The final step is approval by the Board of Directors of Cumberland Community Foundation.  Nonprofit agencies will be notified about the decision by letter, stating the outcome of their applications and, if successful, providing information about how to receive payment of the grant.  Funds will be available after January 1st.

Downloadable Forms:

2011 Community Grant Guidelines and Letter of Intent form - (word doc)  (PDF)

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