Deadline: 13-Aug-21
Applications are invited for Erie Community Foundation’s Helping Today Grants to improve the quality of life for all in the region by ensuring a vital nonprofit sector.
Priorities
Helping Today grant applications offering a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive priority. Within this priority, grants may be awarded for:
- 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.
- The Foundation doubled its budget for this program from $500,000 to $1,000,000 a year.
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.
- The fiscal sponsor submits the grant and all evaluation reports to the Foundation, is legally responsible to ensure grant funds are used properly, maintains financial records pertaining to the grant and retains complete discretion and control as to the use of funds.
- A fiscal sponsor agreement must be sent to the Foundation for review before any grant application is submitted.
For more information, visit https://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/grants