Application Forms and Instructions

We require one complete set of the following items. Please do not staple.

1. Application Cover Sheet
(Tip: This is a Microsoft Word document. To save for further editing, printing or archiving, download the document, then "Save As".)

2. Narrative
Using no more than four pages -- single spaced, 12 point typeface, and one-sided-- answer these questions:

  1. What is the purpose of your organization and what have been its major accomplishments in the last three years?
  2. With regard to the program being funded, what are the specific plans to achieve results and what was your basis for adopting the proposed strategy?
  3. What are the indicators that you are/or will be making a difference in the community?
  4. If this program is already underway, what changes have you made to improve it?

3. Program Budget Summary

4. Organization Budget Summary
A note about “indirect costs”: Greater Worcester Community Foundation does not dictate a maximum allowable percentage for indirect costs (also known as overhead). We understand that overhead costs are legitimate and necessary to run the operations. You are encouraged to reflect the true costs of your programs in budgets and financial statements.

5. Financial Trend Reports - choose one:

Arts and culture organizations and programs must complete a Cultural Data Project profile for the three most recent fiscal years. Be sure to submit the Greater Worcester Community Foundation Funder Report.

Create a CDP Profile

  1. Go to www.massculturaldata.org. If your organization is new to CDP, click on "New User Registration".
  2. Create a data profile for each of the TWO most recently completed fiscal years; start with the earliest year.
  3. Enter data using your board-approved financial audit/review or year-end financial statements.
    1. If your organization is not audited/reviewed, enter data based on board-approved year-end financial statements.
    2. If your organization is an arts program/department within a larger institution, enter data based on internal financial statements of the arts program/department and indicate that you have a parent organization in Section 1.
    3. DO NOT enter project budgets, budgets for future years or data from incomplete or not-yet-approved audits/reviews/financial statements.
  4. When data entry is complete, click on "Submit/Error Check". Address any errors that may be noted.

Print a CDP Profile

  1. On "MY CDP", go to the "Funders Reports" section. Select the fiscal year for the report and click "GO". Click the link for Greater Worcester Community Foundation Funder Report.
  2. Generate the Funder Report and print it.
  3. Review your Funder Report and if you need to make changes, call the CDP Help Desk.
  4. Mail the Funder Report with your application materials to Greater Worcester Community Foundation.

Please note as part of the effort to ensure the accuracy of your data, the CDP Help Desk reviews data profiles and may contact you with suggested revisions. It is your responsibility to respond to the CDP Help Desk and to make necessary changes to your data profile. This process will not interfere with your ability to run reports or apply for grants.

Contact the CDP Help Desk if you have questions, 877-627-7237 (toll-free). Desk Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday. Complete instructions for getting started with CDP and online training are available.

All other organizations and programs must complete a 3-year financial trend report form (XLS, 29KB), summarizing changes in contributions and board giving*, operating expenses, total assets, and participation.

*We are interested in the level of support provided by community members and the rate of giving by your own board. If board giving is less than 100%, please explain what is being done to increase it.

6. Attachments:

  1. Board List (do not double-side the page) providing name, town of residence, professional affiliations, and indicate the officers (president or chair, treasurer, clerk, and others if you have them).   
  2. Progress Report – Enclose the most recent report for any grant received from the GWCF within the past year. NOTE: Progress reports must be filed on all previous grants in order for your application to be considered.  
  3. Letters of Agreement with collaborators as applicable.
  4. Relevant supporting materials are optional; please limit to three items.
  5. A copy of the Federal 501(c)(3) tax exemption letter, for you or the fiscal sponsor.
  6. Audited financial statements for two most recent years as required: Organizations with more than $500,000 in gross support and revenue must submit an audit. Organizations with $200,000 in revenue are required to submit an independent certified public accountant review report, as required by Massachusetts General Law and described by the office of the Attorney General. Smaller organizations must submit the most recent Form 990.

Application Deadlines

Complete proposal packets must be received in our office by 5:00 pm on the published deadline dates (or the next business day if a weekend or public holiday).

Contact

Lois Smith lsmith@greaterworcester.org
Pamela Kane pkane@greaterworcester.org
Telephone (508) 755-0980

Mail to

Greater Worcester Community Foundation
370 Main Street, Suite 650
Worcester, MA 01608-1738

After your Application is Received

All applications that are complete, eligible, and received by the deadline will be given full consideration by the advisory committee. A program officer will be assigned and will contact you during the review process.  Applications that are incomplete will be returned and not reviewed. All applicants will be sent a letter of approval or denial at the conclusion of the review process.