CFMC Competitive Grant Cycle

The CFMC Competitive Grant Cycle invites 501(c)(3) organizations to apply for funding for the year 2026. Two application cycles are available, in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, focusing on general operating support and impactful community programs. The foundation emphasizes grants that address community needs, enhance organizational capacity, and foster collaboration. Eligible organizations must address documented community concerns and align with the foundation's areas of need, including health, education, and social services.

NOTE: Organizations considering an application must attend one (1) of the two (2) information sessions Information sessions are offered via Zoom. Register here.
CFMC will accept requests for calendar year 2026 funding during two (2) application cycles, Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
Fall Cycle – Request Type
General Operating Support for 501 (c) 3 organizationsPrograms or Projects serving a broad group, demographic, or region within any of our areas of need/impact as listed below.Requests to all Field of Interest Funds (read short descriptions of funds here), including the:Mary Janvrin and Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals, and Nature (Janvrin Fund) Sari A. Rosenbaum Fund for Women & Girls (including programs serving women, girls, and individuals identifying as female)St. Luke’s Home Fund for Veterans & SeniorsAnimals: Respect & Friendship Fund (ARF!)Killingworth Community FundDeep River Cares Fund
Spring Cycle – Request Type
General Operating Support for 501 (c) 3 organizationsPrograms or Projects serving a broad group, demographic, or region within any of our areas of need/impact as listed below.Requests to all Field of Interest Funds (read short descriptions of funds here), including the:Mary Janvrin and Natalie Janvrin Wiggins Fund for Birds, Other Animals, and Nature (Janvrin Fund) Sari A. Rosenbaum Fund for Women & Girls (including programs serving women, girls, and individuals identifying as female)St. Luke’s Home Fund for Veterans & SeniorsAnimals: Respect & Friendship Fund (ARF!)Killingworth Community FundDeep River Cares Fund
What the Community Foundation Funds
The Community Foundation is particularly looking for grants that add value to, and have a positive impact on, the health and vitality of the Middlesex County community. Grant applications should address a need within the interest areas and demonstrate impact on the organization, project, community or persons served.
Address a documented need or concern of the focus area;Recognize and build on a community’s or organization’s strengths and assets;Build the capacity of community organizations and/or programs that help individuals to help themselvesFoster cooperative approaches to community issues through collaborations based on shared visions and mutual responsibility Serve as a catalyst for attracting other funding resources, such as matching gifts; andBuild infrastructure within the organization in order to meet its mission.
Areas of Need / Impact
Areas of Need/Impact have been established by donors and the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors. Grants are available across the various areas which include:
Community Enrichment (Arts / Culture / History)Community Health (Health / Medical / Hospital Care)Economic Security / Economic Opportunity Economic DevelopmentEducation (Community Wide / Schools)Environment/Animal Welfare and ProtectionPublic / Social Benefit (Civic Improvement/Social Service)RecreationWomen and GirlsAt-risk Boys & Young MenSeniors and Veterans

Eligibility

Grants are awarded to 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organizations and 170(c)(1) governmental agencies serving the various communities of Middlesex County.Grants will be awarded to organizations that provide positive impact on the community within the areas of need/impact identified below and will be a minimum of $500.Grant awards cannot be used retroactively to pay costs for programs or services that have occurred in the past.Applications from previous grantees are welcome; continued funding will be considered, but is not guaranteed.

Ineligibility

Normally, the Community Foundation will not award grants toOrganizations that, in their constitution, bylaws or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation or identification, political affiliation, or religious belief;Programs or materials that would normally be included in the regular operating budget for schools;Municipal/government agencies for programs or materials that would normally be part of their regular operating budget;Fund debt reduction or debt retirement;Capital Improvement Projects and Building Programs;Endowments, reserve funds, capital campaigns, or annual fund drives;Fundraising event sponsorships or creation of fundraising event collateral materials;Religious or political purposes;For the purpose of re-granting;Activities, projects, or programs that will be completed before funding becomes available (in general, no retroactive funding);Staff positions for which long-term funding has not been established or planned; orIndividuals.