Community Initiatives Fund Grant

The Community Initiatives Fund Grant, managed by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, supports nonprofits in Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, and Somerset counties. Grants of up to $7,500 are awarded twice a year to projects that align with community needs. Eligible applicants must have a Federal Tax ID and 501(c)(3) status, or be a governmental body or church. The foundation encourages scalable projects that foster lasting community impact.

Community Foundation for the Alleghenies
We put our donors’ generosity to work through strategic grantmaking and connect individuals with opportunities to make an impact.
The Community Foundation supports the work of nonprofits through grants to organizations directly from our donors and competitive grantmaking in Bedford, Cambria, Indiana, and Somerset counties.
The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies' Distribution Committee awards grants twice annually. The maximum amount that an applicant may request from the Spring or Fall Grant Round is $7,500.
While the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies welcomes applications from any nonprofit organization whose proposed program reflects our mission, we encourage applicants to submit proposals for scalable projects (those with per unit costs) or for specific components of a larger project).

Eligibility

Applicants MUST have a Federal Tax ID Number and a 501(c)(3) IRS status or be a governmental body or church. (One exception: volunteer fire companies with a 501(c)(4) status are also eligible.)
Applicants must serve communities in or throughout the Bedford, Cambria, and/or Somerset County region. (Applicants serving Indiana County should apply ONLY during our Fall Grant Round.)

Ineligibility

Projects and expenses that will not be funded by the Community Foundation:
DebtActivities that occurred prior to the beginning date of the grantIndividualsReligious organizations for religious purposesGovernment entities for basic servicesProjects that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any veteran status.Indirect costs, general overhead expenses, and administrative costs particularly for large educational institutions and/or research institutions.
Grants may not be awarded retroactively for projects. If your project has already happened or will happen prior to when awards will be made, it is not eligible.