The 2024 Community Grant Program will open April 1 for Arts & Creativity, Basic Needs and Economic Opportunity projects, and April 15 for Health & Wellbeing and Youth & Families.

The Community Grant Program is our signature program, awarding close to $2 million annually across five strategic focus areas with both discrete project/programming and general operating support.

The program is designed to be responsive and flexible and utilizes many trust-based philanthropic principles. We strive for this approach to take less total time for applicants, be more interactive, and provide a different method for storytelling.

Timeline

Focus Areas

Requests should be to support a project/program that is both highly aligned in at least one of the strategies listed in our focus areas and the project/program or organization should be able to meaningfully address work being done in the lenses listed.

1. Health & Wellbeing - Strengthening the systems that ensure those from historically excluded populations have equitable access to healthcare.
2. Arts & Creativity - Building and supporting a diverse and strong arts & culture ecosystem where all belong.
3. Youth & Families - Ensuring families have what they need to thrive and that young people have access to critical supports and meaningful experiences.
4. Basic Needs - Working to ensure all residents of our community have food and shelter.
5. Economic Opportunity - English Language Learning programs and Job Training & Financial Literacy programs.

For more details about focus areas and lenses, please view the grant guidelines.

Eligibility & Scope

Eligibility

Types of Organizations

• 501c3 nonprofits, or any entity operating under a fiscal sponsorship of a 501c3.
• Collaboratives and coalitions with a fiscal sponsor and identified project lead.
• Houses of worship running community-serving programs that are not faith based and do not proselytize.
• Large multiservice institutions applying for well-aligned discrete projects.

Geographic Location & Service Area

• Based in Worcester County and serve primarily its residents.
• Not based in Worcester County but have a meaningful physical presence.
• Providing an unduplicated service in Worcester County and can demonstrate
  they have authentic partnerships and relationships with local stakeholders.

Scope & Requirements

• Grant range is $2,500 - $25,000.
• Partial grants can be awarded.
• Support can be for a pilot, programmatic expansion, and/or support for ongoing program.
• Organizations should be in good financial standing with an intact governance structure

Selection Criteria

Projects will be assessed in the following areas:

• Feasibility: the budget and proposed work match and are doable within our grant range.
• The level of access and barrier reduction for residents of Worcester County that is created.
• How much of a creative or innovative solution to a pressing community need(s) the project or program is.
• Measurable and manageable goals and outcomes that are aligned with one or more of our expressed focus areas.
• Organizational commitment in the areas of equity, community voice and systems disruption.
• Are sound organizations with strong financial and governance functions.

What we are not able to support

• Businesses
• Government organizations or municipalities
• Individuals (scholarships, tuition, direct aid etc…)
• Projects occurring in classrooms during school time as part of the academic
  program/curriculum.
• Organizations requesting support for capital projects/campaigns.

How We Can Help

• Applicants are encouraged to reach out to Foundation program staff before submitting an application to discuss project details.
• Foundation staff are happy to offer coaching on your application.
• All applications receive a thorough and fair review and will be notified of your decision.
• You are encouraged to set up a feedback conversation with staff to learn more about your application review.

Be sure to check out our tips for applicants here.

Links

• Guidelines (PDF)
• Information Session Registration
• Application