Deadline: 19-Oct-20
Applications are now open for the Erie Community Foundation’s Helping Today Grants Program to improve the quality of life for all in region by helping to ensure a vital nonprofit sector.
The Foundation is committed to responding to the many serious impacts of the pandemic on the non-profit sector and the community. As such, funding priority will be on Helping Today grant applications that are COVID-response/impact related and support the following grantmaking categories:
- Program Expansion/Enhancement: Improve capacity through specific programs/projects delivering measured outcomes benefiting the community.
- Planning, Public Policy Advocacy: Advance a nonprofit’s mission through increased collaboration and organized attentiveness to civic priorities.
- Communications/Marketing: Expand outreach, develop a brand and directly connect with donors and volunteers as an organizational strategy.
- Technology: Upgrade technology that increases the nonprofit’s capacity to serve the community and meet its mission. Examples include: replacing hardware, software and network resources.
- Capital, Facilities or System’s Needs: Improve, repair or maintain a nonprofit’s facilities. Examples include: construction projects, equipment or systems for improved access or safety.
- Vehicle Purchase: Assist with purchasing a mission-critical vehicle.
Funding Information
- Helping Today grants are generally capped at $30,000 or less and limited to one year in duration.
Grant Making Process Checklist
- Review the Foundation’s 2020 Grant Guidelines to confirm eligibility.
- Schedule a pre-application meeting with Community Impact team member.
- Log onto the Foundation’s website, www.ErieCommunityFoundation.org.
- Use the Grant Application access code received at the pre-application meeting to complete and submit the appropriate grant application. (A read-only PDF Helping Today application is accessible on the website without a code.)
- Meet the deadline.
- Await final funding decisions by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees (quarterly for Helping Today grants).
- If awarded funding, review, sign and return a grant agreement to the Foundation.
- Await grant check that will be released on the grant agreement date.
- Provide regular evaluations. Failure to submit reports jeopardizes future funding.
Eligibility Criteria
- The Erie Community Foundation awards grants to nonprofits defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Eligible nonprofits must be located within Erie County or demonstrate service to a sizable population within Erie County.
- Generally, eligible nonprofits may receive funding once per grant cycle in a 12-month period.
- If an applicant does not have its own 501(c)3 tax exempt status from the IRS, it may apply for a grant using a 501(c)3 organization as its fiscal sponsor, provided the grant furthers the sponsor’s own tax exempt purpose.
For more information, visit https://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/grants/apply-for-a-grant/helping-today