Proposals for funding from our Community Grants Program are reviewed biannually, in the spring and fall. The first step of the process for applying is to submit a Letter of Interest.
Letters of Interest must include:
- A brief project description including how this project furthers your agency’s mission.
- What the anticipated and measurable impacts of the project are including the number of people who might benefit, the specific benefits to the community at large, or both.
- The total project cost and the specific amount requested.
- The signature of the Executive Director or President and the name and contact information for the primary person responsible for the proposal.
We request that letters be no longer than 2-pages in length and submitted electronically to [email protected].
Letters of Interest must be received by 4:00 p.m. on March 1st (for the spring round) or September 1st (for the fall round) to be considered.
Please note: After submitting your “Letter of Interest,” applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of your application. If you do not receive confirmation, please contact the NCCF.
Organizations who have been invited to submit full applications will be notified after Grants Committee review.
(Please refer to NCCF website for complete grantmaking program timetable and guidelines for submitting full proposals.)
Priorities
In determining the merits and priority of an application, we will give particular consideration to:
- The degree of how the proposed project will potentially benefit the community.
- The capability of the organization and its personnel to achieve the desired results.
- Special consideration will be given to projects that include meaningful collaborations.
- Special consideration will be given to projects that can leverage additional funds, community resources, or both.
Guidelines
Grant proposals must efficiently and effectively address identified community needs or encourage new opportunities.
- Grant proposals must benefit the northern Chautauqua community.
- Applicant (or applicant’s fiscal sponsor) must be a 501(c)(3) organization or an appropriate not-for-profit. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
- NCCF competitive grants range from $500 to $15,000.
- On a limited basis, we will consider grant support for two (2) years. In such instances, second-year funding will be contingent upon successful program outcomes from the previous year.
- Organizations may receive only one NCCF competitive grant per year.
- Applicants are required to be up to date with all post grant evaluation reports and requirements in order to be considered for additional funding consideration.
Areas generally not funded include:
- overhead and administrative expenses
- annual fundraising campaigns
- salaries or stipends not directly related to the specific proposal
We will only consider grants to religious organizations if the project is open to and benefits the community at large, and does not proselytize.
Thank you for your interest in collaborating with the NCCF and for sharing our vision of a healthy and prosperous community.