C3F: Community Priorities Cycle

Community Priorities Grant Cycle

The Community Foundation helps people make a difference close to home by accepting contributions of all sizes. Each year, the Community Foundation makes grants to organizations, schools, and municipalities to make positive change in Charlevoix County.

What is the purpose of the Community Priorities Cycle?

The purpose of the Community Priorities Cycle is to offer all eligible nonprofit partners the opportunity to apply for projects and programs that address a variety of needs in Charlevoix County. Individuals, couples, families, and businesses who advise funds at the Community Foundation (donor advisors) may choose to make grants through the cycle as well.

What kinds of projects or programs are most likely to receive grant funding?

The Community Priorities Cycle aims to attract requests that are focused on the people of and places in Charlevoix County. Community Priorities grant proposals will additionally be evaluated on the following specific criteria:

• Organization’s impact and relevance in the community they serve
• Organizational capacity (leadership, staffing, planning, etc.), and solvency
• Degree to which funds will help strengthen the organization and/or the community the organization serves
• Comprehensiveness of proposal, including degree to which proposed activities are wellplanned and address the need(s) identified
• Duration of impact in the community served

The Community Priorities Cycle is open to supporting a wide variety of needs in Charlevoix County. Proposals from all eligible nonprofit partners are welcome in this cycle. Community Endowment funds are unrestricted dollars that are available in this cycle,  which can be granted to eligible organizations for any purpose.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Eligible applicants include:
  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations;
  • All units of government;
  • All educational institutions (preschool through college);
  • Organizations described above that serve Charlevoix County residents;
  • Organizations that do not discriminate in hiring of staff or the provision of services.
• Proposals from faith-based organizations must address community needs and
  • Have a clearly demonstrated public benefit;
  • Be fully accessible to all persons regardless of religious beliefs and lifestyle choices

Ineligibility

• The Community Foundation’s grant cycles generally do not fund
  • annual fundraising campaigns,
  • political campaigns,
  • loan payments or deficit spending,
  • grants to individuals,
  • sectarian projects, or
  • services normally supported by tax dollars.
• Proposals from faith-based organizations:
  • May NOT proselytize, (i.e. require anything in return for services provided.
  • Examples: attending services or prayer groups and/or volunteering, etc.)