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370 Main Street
Suite 650
Worcester, MA 01608
(508) 755-0980

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Discretionary Grants
FAQs & Tips for Grant Seekers

Tips for Grant Seekers | Post-Grantmaking Activities | Progress Report       

 

What is Greater Worcester Community Foundation interested in funding?

The Foundation is dedicated to making our region a vibrant and healthy place for all people. We use the discretionary endowment funds entrusted to us by local donors to meet this goal. Grants are made across a wide range of focus areas. We are interested in funding all aspects of community life. Therefore, our grants are made for the public enjoyment of music, art, literature and history; for the natural environment and green spaces; for the health of children and adults. We want to make neighborhoods safe and pleasant and create homes for people. We help students do better in school and in the workforce. All of this is done through nonprofit organizations working in these areas.

What is the typical grant size?

Typical grant size from discretionary funds is $15,000 and under; the range is $5,000 to $30,000. Annual operating budgets of grantees range from under $250,000 to over $10 million. We are not usually the primary source of funding for any project. (To learn more about recent Foundation grants, please review our Annual Report or see Recent Grants).

What is your geographic territory?

The Foundation was created to serve all of the cities and towns in Worcester County. Your program must be located in or benefit residents of Worcester County. Your headquarters may be located elsewhere, but your program must serve the people of this region in order to be eligible for a grant.

Do you prefer new grants or renewals?

Both. The Foundation funds new ideas that need money to get started as well as time-tested efforts that need grants to keep them going. We are very interested in hearing from you if you have not been previously funded.

Should I call you first before submitting an application?

Yes, please call us first. We would like to hear from you in advance of your proposal, especially if you have never applied to us before or if there is something new to discuss with us. This conversation will allow you to learn more about us and how we operate, and for us to learn about your organization. Call (508) 755-0980 and ask to speak with a program officer.

How are funding decisions made?

Discretionary grants are made in two annual cycles (March 15 and September 15th deadlines). More than 100 proposals are reviewed in each. Our Distribution Committee is comprised of community volunteers who serve without compensation and for rotating terms. They review the Application Coversheet, Program Budget Summary, Narrative, and for renewal requests the Grant Progress Report. They discuss applications in a series of confidential meetings at the Foundation office and weigh the merits of each proposal. You will be assigned a program officer who will develop an understanding of your organization and its issues. The review process, from time of application to time of approval by the Board, takes no more than three months.

What are the Distribution Committee's criteria for approving a grant?

We are looking for positive impact and results in our community. What is important to us is detailed in the grant guidelines under "Priorities." In order to be successful, your proposal must satisfy these four questions:

• Is the proposed project a priority at this time for this community?
• Is the applicant organization capable of carrying it out? For instance, is there a reasonable plan and the talent needed to do this work?
• Is the work sustainable?
• Is this proposal an appropriate match for Greater Worcester Community Foundation funding?

What can I do to improve my organization's chances of receiving a grant?

Here are a few tips:

l Follow the instructions. Review the grant guidelines carefully and answer the questions being asked of you. Do not exceed the four-page limit on your narrative.

l Write clearly. Avoid jargon or too many acronyms. Keep it as brief as possible. Proofread your work.

l Provide us with the requested financial information. This includes a recently audited financial statement or its equivalent, a current organization operating budget and a detailed budget for the project. This applies to you regardless of agency size. The budgets must include both anticipated revenues and expenditures. Clarity about your finances will help us to better understand your organization.

l Don't be late. Mail your completed application packet in plenty of time so that it is received by the grant deadline. In order to keep the process moving in a timely manner, we have established deadlines and cut-off dates for receiving proposals. Anything received after the deadline is returned.

l The Foundation does not accept faxed or emailed applications since we require original signatures and financial information that does not transmit readily.

What happens after my organization receives a grant?

See post grant activities.

To download an application form, click on the appropriate funding source in Applying for a Grant.

If you are located outside our service area, visit the National Community Foundation Locator to find the community foundation serving your area.