Competitive Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations and 170(c)(1) governmental units serving Middlesex County towns. Grant proposals should address a need within identified Focus Areas and demonstrate a positive impact on the organization, project, community or persons served.
While some variation is possible because of funds available for grant making, the Areas of Need / Impact are:
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Community Foundation competitive grants typically range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000, with the majority of grants in the $1,500 to $3,500 range. The Community Foundation does not explicitly prohibit previous grant recipients from applying for the same program in the current funding cycle; subsequent funding will be considered by the Grants Committee, but is not guaranteed.
Funding Priorities
The Community Foundation gives priority to grant proposals that:
- Address a documented need or concern within an interest area;
- Build the capacity of community organizations and/or programs that help individuals to help themselves;
- Foster cooperative approaches to community issues through collaborations based on shared visions and mutual responsibility;
- Serve as a catalyst for attracting other funding resources; and
- Build infrastructure within the organization in order to meet its mission.
Normally, the Community Foundation will not award grants to
- Organizations that, in their constitution, bylaws or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identification, political affiliation, or religious belief;
- New staff positions or hazard pay expenses (due to the COVID-19 pandemic);
- Programs or materials that would normally be included in the regular operating budget for municipal/government agencies or schools;
- Annual fundraising campaigns or event sponsorships;
- Initiatives that regrant CFMC funds to other organizations;
- Endowments, reserve funds, capital campaigns, or annual fund drives;
- Recouping lost revenue which occurred during the current or previous calendar year;
- Payment of debt or legal settlements or Repayment of SBA, PPP, or other COVID-19 related loans;
- Political or partisan purposes, campaigns, or lobbying activities;
- Projects that exclusively serve religious purposes, although religious organizations providing non-religious community services will be considered.
Grants will not be made to individuals.
Grant Acceptance Requirements
Organizations awarded grants must agree to and comply with the Community Foundation’s Nondiscrimination Policy and Grant Agreement Certification.
Grant Evaluations
A grant evaluation form must be submitted for all competitive grants awarded. Nonprofits considering submitting an application for the current grant cycle need to insure all prior grant evaluations have been submitted. Forms are available online.
The Competitive Grant Application Cycle opens annually in August and applications are due late September and again in late April. Grant Applications will be available on the Grants Program page.
Connecticut Mission of Mercy Two Day Free Dental Clinic
Questions?
If you
- need further information about the CFMC grant making process,
- are unsure of your grant evaluation status, or
- if your program or project is incomplete and you have questions regarding your grant evaluation,
email or call Thayer Talbott, Vice President & COO, or Mary Dutton, Programs & Communications Coordinator, at 860.347.0025.
