The Our Community Foundation is accepting applications for the Competitive Grant Program.
Donor Name: Our Community Foundation
State: Alabama
County: Blount County (AL), Jefferson County (AL), Saint Clair County (AL), Shelby County (AL), Walker County (AL)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/16/2024
Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000
Grant Duration: 3 Years
Details:
Priority Areas
- Thriving Communities
- Equity and Inclusion
- Regional Cooperation
- Economic Opportunity for All
- Overcoming Persistent Poverty
Funding Purpose
If eligible, applicants may request a grant in one of the following three categories:
- Strategic Purpose: These grants can help establish a new program, improve or expand an existing program, increase organizational capacity, meet a new capital need (building, equipment, etc.), and/or launch a policy/systems change effort. Requests should not exceed 25% of the proposed project budget.
- General Operating for Emerging Organizations: Organizations with documented revenue under $25,000 (based on previous fiscal year) may request a general operating support grant in this category. General operating support is defined as funding to maintain current programs and/or operations.
- General Operating Support: Organizations with documented revenue between $25,000 -$100,000 (based on previous fiscal year) may request a general operating support grant in this category.
Funding Information
- There is no maximum request amount, but in recent years awarded grants have ranged from$5,000 to $100,000 with an average amount of $35,000. The applicant’s request and project budget should be reasonable in relation to the applicant’s prior revenue, budget, and activities.
- For Strategic Purpose grants, requests should not exceed 25% of the budget for the proposed project. Potential or secured support for the remaining 75% of the budget should be identified.
- Organizations requesting a grant of $75,000 or greater MUST have an annual or semi-annual independent audit.
Grant Period
Strategic grants may be requested over a one-, two-, or three-year period based on the scale and schedule of the proposal. General operating grants are limited to one-year terms.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be currently designated a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by the IRS OR be a 501(c)(3) exempt religious institution OR be a government entity. Private non-operating foundations are not eligible. Applicants may use a fiscal sponsor only if there is a meaningful mission fit and an existing, working relationship between the two organizations.
- Applicants must serve Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair and/or Walker counties in Alabama.
- Large organizations with many branches or departments (e.g. colleges, universities, YMCA, public libraries) must submit requests from the president’s office or the development office.
- An applicant with a current open grant from the Community Foundation may apply but MUST be up to date on all reports and should have a very compelling or timely reason for requesting a new grant.
For more information, visit Our Community Foundation.
