Spring Deadline: May 12, 2023 Fall Deadline: September 8, 2023

*Please note, this program has moved to a spring and fall cycle and will no longer accept applications on a rolling basis*

Interested in applying for a grant? Join us Monday, April 3rd from 9:30-10:30 am for an hour long interactive session to:

• Learn more about the goals of this grant program
• Walk through the guidelines and applications with GWCF staff
• Learn more about the evaluation criteria and decision making process
• Ask specific questions you might have
• Learn more about how GWCF can support you through the process

Join Us

The Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program is designed to support a specific piece of your organizational evolution that is focused on advancing your structure, systems and/or processes to be more inclusive and impactful. We believe these small investments in capacity building are critical to advancing your ability to fulfill your mission, deliver critical services and lead as equitable employers.

The grant program is interested in supporting organizations engaging in projects in the following areas:

• Inclusive Board Development & Governance
  
  • Board training, Inclusive recruitment efforts, Executive support and coaching
    

• Building Internal Capacity & Equitable Systems
  • Organizational assessments, Finance & HR upgrades, Operations streamlining, System purchases to allow for growth, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access Support

• Navigating Change
  • Succession planning, Executive transitions, Major updates to mission and strategic planning support, Merger exploration

The grant program is not able to support the following:

• Salaries for new or existing positions
  
• Routine operational costs
• Capital Improvements

Evaluation Priorities (How Your Application Will Be Reviewed):

• Alignment to larger organizational strategy & how this project helps to move this work forward
• Urgency, there is some level of risk for your organization if this work doesn't happen
• Demonstrable equitable outcomes, how your organization will be stronger as a result of this work

Eligibility, Scope and Limitations

• Grant size is up to $10,000
• Worcester County based 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored programs doing 100% of work to support residents of Worcester County
• Request for contracted work should include supporting documents such as RFP, contact and/or scope of service
• Grant should be expended within 18 months of disbursement
• Follow up conversation with GWCF staff at conclusion of your work