With our 2016 Spring Grant Cycle coming up soon, we wanted to provide potential applicants with some ways to make their applications stand out. The following are some of the things our Grants Committee looks for when making funding decisions:

1. Tell us about a specific program or project that you’re hoping to implement or to continue to implement. We like to be able to track the results of our grants and see how they’re making a direct impact on our community. Therefore, we typically prefer to fund programs and projects of an organization rather than requests for general operating or capital support.

2. Show us how supporting your program or project will benefit the people of Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk. While we strive to serve all of Southeast Virginia, our main focus is on the cities of Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Suffolk. This does not mean that we will not fund organizations located in other parts of the region or organizations that serve other parts of the region in addition to these cities. However, we will want to know how much your program or project targets the people in our main focus areas.

3. Address current problems and offer solutions. Staying aware of issues within our community is very important to us, and we are eager to support nonprofits that are trying to solve them. We want to see that you’re aware of these pressing issues and are working towards a resolution.

4. Reach a broad section of the community. As a community foundation, we monitor all areas of community life and identify resources to shape it. Tell us what your program or project will do to improve areas such as arts & culture, civic & economic development, education, and health & human services.

5. Be creative! The best way to keep up with our ever-evolving community and its ever-changing needs is to demonstrate innovation.

Applications for our 2016 Spring Grant Cycle are due on January 1st. Learn how to apply.