Eighty Four, PA – The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) is currently accepting applications for capacity-building grant requests ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Capacity-building is defined as any activity that increases the non-profit’s operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity. Examples include but are not limited to: equipment or material purchases, capital campaigns nearing completion of the campaign, facility upgrades, strategic plans, succession plans, marketing plans or marketing materials, improvements to accounting and financial systems, constituent management software, websites with content management systems, and program design or program expansion.
To be eligible to apply, the applicant must be an incorporated non-profit organization that provides charitable services in Washington County in one or more of the following areas: arts & humanities, community improvement & economic development, education, environment & animal welfare, health & fitness, human needs, and religion & faith-based.
A recent influx of discretionary support has enabled the Foundation to enhance its competitive grants program through more significant awards and increased flexibility. Additionally, the WCCF Board of Trustees recently approved the expansion of the Foundation’s community improvement funding area to include economic development.
“There is no doubt that there are many economic development programs in the community that would be worthy of the Foundation's support. With our continued growth, the WCCF is now poised to make a meaningful contribution to smaller-scale community-based economic development projects,” remarked WCCF President & CEO Betsie Trew. “We look forward to learning about the many economic development initiatives that are shaping the future of our local economy, particularly those that address blight removal, increased entrepreneurism, improved low-income housing, job creation, and workforce development.”
Requests may be submitted until October 1, 2021 through the Foundation’s website at www.wccf.net. Applicants will be required to provide a clear, concise and compelling project narrative regarding (1) the need for the project and describing who/what will benefit from the project (2) the goals to be achieved (3) the measurable outcomes expected, and (4) details of how the project will be executed. Applicants will also be required to provide a comprehensive project budget that details all expected revenues and expenses for the project, not just for the amount being requested from the WCCF. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Foundation at 724-222-6330 prior to submitting an application.
In total, the Foundation plans to award a minimum of $250,000 through its 2021 Capacity-Building Grant Cycles. The complete list of grant recipients will be announced in the fourth quarter.
Questions may be directed to the Foundation at 724-222-6330 or allocations@wccf.net.