Deadline: 02-Jul-21
The Waco Foundation is currently accepting proposals for the Critical Needs Grant Program to provide short-term, situation-specific funding for nonprofits experiencing operating challenges due to unforeseen emergencies or urgent needs.
With a relatively small amount of funding, these loans or grants help an organization manage an unbudgeted, unforeseen, and time-sensitive opportunity or emergency that will enhance or preserve the ability of the organization to meet its mission.
Priority will be given to organizations filling key community support roles including youth serving organizations, cultural/arts organizations, animal welfare agencies. All agencies will need to demonstrate need.
Priorities
The Critical Needs Funding Program enables Waco Foundation to support urgent, unanticipated needs that directly impact a nonprofit’s operations or a major aspect of its work. Funds may be used to help address one or more of the following circumstances:
- A temporary increase in the need for services resulting from an emergency.
- The need for general operating expenses resulting from a significant and unexpected loss of regular or committed funding (budget shortfall/deficit).
- The need for interim funding/bridging capital (while an organization awaits government funding/repayment)
- The consolidation, downsizing or termination of programs in a responsible manner; and/or the stabilization of a program or aspects of the operation that if left unaddressed, would have a severe negative effect on the population served by the organization.
- The acquisition of essential equipment, technology, or resources, for which there is no other source of funding, and without which the work of the organization would be severely compromised. (e.g. equipment necessary due to new regulations/requirements, technology & supplies needed for remote work)
- Emergencies (e.g. fire, gas explosion, flood or disease outbreak, natural disaster or other unpredictable occurrences) that directly impact an agency and whose relief or recovery response requires capital expenditures.
- An accidental or unexpected occurrence that causes an organization’s facilities to be inaccessible or programs inoperable until resolved. This may include emergency repairs to a building’s structure or its mechanical systems (heating/cooling, water service, etc.) which are not covered by insurance.
- Replacing an item or piece of equipment lost due to theft , operational failure or damage, that is required to operate core programs/could threaten an organization’s ability to provide programming or services.
- Deficit funding or debt retirement (under special circumstances)
- Other needs not herein defined that could not have been anticipated, and for which there is no other source of funding.
Funding Information
- Small – grants of up to $5,000
- Medium sized – grants of up to $25,000
Eligibility Criteria
- 501(c)(3) organization physically located in and serving the Waco-McLennan County area are eligible for consideration.
- Under certain circumstances, the Foundation may consider loans or grants to public sector agencies.
- It should be noted, however, that these funds only support unbudgeted, unforeseen events that will, or has, significantly interrupted essential services.
- Expenses that fall under the purview of standard agency/government responsibility are not eligible for consideration.
For more information, visit https://www.wacofoundation.org/Community-Impact/Nonprofits-and-Grantmaking/Grantmaking