The Washington County Community Foundation (WCCF) is currently accepting applications for capacity-building grant requests. 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: areas of arts & humanities, community improvement, education, environment & animal welfare, health & fitness, human needs, and religion & faith-based.
“The continued growth of the WCCF enabled us to reassess and redesign our two annual competitive grant cycles. As we considered the redesign, we wanted to be more proactive with our grants, we wanted to increase the impact of our grants, and we wanted to help strengthen our non-profits because we know that strong non-profits are best positioned to provide quality programs,” remarked Betsie Trew, WCCF President & CEO. “We had learned from past grantees that prior capacity building grants had truly helped to strengthen those non-profits and for some enabled them to continue operating during the pandemic. We view a capacity building grant as an investment in the non-profit which leads to stronger non-profit organizations, and we’re ready to make some strategic investments in our non-profits to make them stronger.”
Requests may be submitted in either of two cycles, with deadlines of August 1, 2021 or October 1, 2021. Grant awards in these two cycles will range from $5,000 to $50,000, and will total $250,000. All grant requests must be submitted electronically via 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 a 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.
Questions may be directed to the Foundation at 724-222-6330 or allocations@wccf.net.