Our Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant now has a rolling deadline, with grant decisions happening twice a month.

The Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program is a resource to support your internal organizational journey. It is designed to focus on a specific project or piece of your work in the areas of navigating change, leadership development, and growing your internal structures.

We believe these small investments in capacity building are critical to your ability to fulfill your mission, deliver critical services, and lead as equitable employers.

Areas of Support

Our Nonprofit Effectiveness grants support the following areas:

• Building Internal Capacity: such as organizational audits and departmental infrastructure building.
• Navigating Change: such as executive transitions and succession planning, and strategic plans that support major changes in mission.
• Inclusive Leadership Development and Support: such as governance and board support, executive coaching, DEIA education, and leadership training for mid-level staff.
• Support for Legal Costs: such as those associated with changes in federal law, legislation, or compliance requirements.
• Communications Support: such as crisis communication planning or communicating changes to constituents.
• Contingency Planning: such as planning work around changing business models and engaging with a consultant on strategic planning.

For more details about areas of support, please view the grant guidelines.

Eligibility

• 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored programs
• 100% of your work must be in support of Worcester County residents
• Your organization has not received a Nonprofit Effectiveness grant from GWCF within the past 18 months
• The proposed work is set to begin at a date after payment is made. (Reimbursement grants are not eligible)

Scope & Requirements

• Grants up to $10,000
• Projects that require contracted work need to include supporting RFP or contract
• Grant should be expended within 18 months of disbursement
• In lieu of a formal report, grantees will engage in a follow-up conversation with staff at the conclusion of the work

Selection Criteria

Projects will be assessed in the following areas:

• Alignment to larger organizational strategy and a clear demonstration of how this work will move you toward this
• Urgency - there is some level of risk if this work does not happen
• Equitable outcomes that are clearly defined. We want to see how you will move towards being a stronger and more inclusive organization as a result of this work

What We Are Not Able to Support

• Salaries for new or existing positions
• Operational Costs
• Capital Projects/Purchases
  • Exceptions made for software and equipment that are part of a larger scope of work
• Capital Campaigns
• Pilot Projects (of a programmatic nature)
• Merger explorations
• Reimbursements/ Support for work already done

How We Can Help

• Applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Foundation's Program team 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.

Links

• Guidelines (PDF)
• Application (DOC)