General Participatory Grantmaking Program

General Participatory Grantmaking Program

Funder: The Bronx Community Foundation (BxCF)

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

Eligibility Requirements:

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