General Participatory Grantmaking Program

Geographic Scope: The entire Bronx, NY

Award Amounts:

• Standard grants: Up to $50,000 (typically for two-year funding cycles)
• Micro-grants and emergency grants: Available for rapid-response funding

Grant Frequency: Major funding decisions announced twice a year (Spring/Fall)

Strategic Funding Priorities (Four Pillars):

1. Digital Equity – Ensuring access to technology and digital literacy
2. Economic Security – Supporting pathways to financial stability and opportunity
3. Health – Promoting wellness, access to care, and healthy communities
4. Equity & Justice – Advancing fairness, civic engagement, and systemic reform

Funding Pathways:

• Participatory grantmaking through public, private, and emergency resources
• Open or targeted Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
• Emergency and micro-grants for rapid-response funding
• Public funding partnerships
• Trust-based, unrestricted funding

Who BxCF Funds

• Bronx-Based Organizations: Must serve the borough directly and address local needs
• Nonprofit Status: Must be registered 501(c)(3) entities or operate with eligible fiscal sponsor
• Organizational Capacity:
  • Minimum annual operating budget: $500,000
  • Operating for at least two fiscal years

What BxCF Does NOT Fund:

• Event sponsorships
• Fundraising campaigns
• Scholarship programs
• One-time appeals
• Programs outside the Bronx

Application Process:

• Applications submitted via open or targeted RFPs
• Reviewed with guidance from Participatory Grantmaking Committee (PGC)
• Committee composed of community members and subject-matter experts
• Decision-making based on:
  • Eligibility and organizational capacity
  • Alignment with strategic funding priorities
  • Community input and lived experience
  • Nondiscriminatory basis (regardless of religion, gender, ethnic origin, race, sexual orientation)

Trust-Based Funding Approach:

• Emphasis on holistic impact and organizational resilience
• Flexible, unrestricted grants
• Focus on overall organizational effectiveness
• Support for core functions and financial health
• Data collection emphasizing:
  • Holistic impact beyond restricted programs
  • Organizational capacity and resilience
  • Innovation and adaptation capability
  • Strategic goal progress
  • Relationship building and transparency

Participatory Grantmaking Committee (PGC):

• Composed of diverse Bronx-based community members and leaders
• Members share equal power in review and decision-making
• Informed by lived experience and local knowledge
• Commitment to confidentiality and conflict of interest disclosure
• Cannot review proposals from organizations with which they are affiliated

BxCF Guiding Principles:

• Centering Community Voice: Decisions informed by lived experience and local knowledge
• Advancing Racial Equity: Funding addresses systemic barriers and promotes fairness
• Transparency & Accountability: Data-driven decisions and public reporting
• Sustainable Impact: Prioritize scalable and resilient solutions
• Collaborative Partnerships: Work alongside Bronx organizations and residents

Foundation Background:

• First and only community foundation dedicated solely to serving the entire Bronx
• Over $10 million in grants awarded since founding
• Supports grassroots organizations, nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals
• Mission: Eradicate inequity and build sustainable futures for all Bronxites
• Vision: Build community power and generational wealth across the Bronx

Contact Information:

• Email: grants@thebronx.org
• Phone: 917-447-2216
• Address: 557 Grand Concourse, Suite 3, #125, Bronx, New York 10451
• Press: press@thebronx.org

Application Process

General Submission Requirements:

1. Applications submitted via online portal/RFP process
2. Email or physically mailed applications typically not accepted
3. One application per organization
4. Complete applications required for review
5. Prepare applications separately before submission

Review Timeline:

• Varies by funding cycle
• Major decisions announced twice yearly (Spring/Fall)
• RFP timelines provided when cycles open

Review Process:

1. Applications screened for compliance with eligibility and application requirements
2. Objective and nondiscriminatory basis evaluation
3. Participatory Grantmaking Committee (PGC) provides guidance and recommendations
4. PGC members contribute lived experience, local knowledge, and subject-matter insight

Questions:

• Contact: grants@thebronx.org
• Question deadlines vary by funding cycle

Application Materials:

• Specific requirements provided with each RFP
• Check website for current open cycles