Mini-grants
Mini-grants are one-time discretionary grants in the amount of $500 to $3,000 made to nonprofits in the Greater Worcester Community Foundation service area for: pilot projects, organizational improvement, restructuring, and equipment purchases. A total pool of $50,000 has been set aside for mini-grants this year.
Areas of Interest
- Pilot projects – to test a new idea or adapt a proven program to a new situation; to discover whether an approach is viable.
- Organizational improvements – for board or staff education, program evaluation, shared training resources or collaborative planning efforts with other organizations.
- Restructuring – to explore or implement a major organizational change or strategic alliance arrangement with other entities, such as: outsourcing back office functions, administrative consolidation, shared staffing, joint purchasing, mergers, or transfer of programs. Note: a work plan from your selected planning consultant is required.
- Equipment – small-scale purchases that meet a critical organizational priority, or for technology enhancements based on a strategic plan.
Eligibility and Restrictions
- Must be a nonprofit organization based in Worcester County
- Request may not exceed $3,000 and total project should be $15,000 or less
- Grant may not be used for expenses already incurred
- One mini-grant award per calendar year (except if the organization is a sponsoring partner in a collaborative project)
- Public schools or other public agencies will typically not receive mini-grants, although they may be involved as partners in funded efforts.
- Mini-grants are not awarded to individuals or to start-up nonprofits.
Deadline
No deadline. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Decisions are made within 30 days.
Application Forms & Instructions
Access to our on-line application system can be found here.
You are advised to contact a program officer to discuss your request before sending it in.
Contact: Pam Kane
Telephone: (508) 755-0980