Greater Worcester Community Foundation Inc logo

GWCF: Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program (Formerly Mini-Grant Program)

Greater Worcester Community Foundation Inc

Funding Amount

Up to US $10,000

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • Your organization has not received a Nonprofit Effectiveness grant from GWCF within the past 18 months.

Geography

  • In Worcester County

Required status

  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored programs100% of your work must be in support of Worcester County residents.

Other requirements

  • The proposed work is set to begin at a date after payment is made.

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: (Reimbursement grants are not eligible)
  • Not eligible: The grant program is not able to support the following:Salaries for new or existing positions.
  • Not eligible: Operational Costs.
  • Not eligible: Capital Projects/Purchases.
  • Not eligible: Exceptions made for software and equipment that are part of a larger scope of work.
  • Not eligible: Capital Campaigns.
  • Not eligible: Pilot Projects (of a programmatic nature)Merger explorationsReimbursements/ Support for work already done

Overview

The GWCF Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program focuses on enhancing organizational capacity for 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Worcester County. This program supports projects in leadership development, navigating change, and internal infrastructure improvements. By investing in these areas, the program aims to empower organizations to fulfill their missions and serve their communities effectively. For more details, organizations can refer to the grant guidelines available online.

NOTE: Our Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant now has a rolling deadline, with grant decisions happening twice a month.
The Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program is a resource to support your internal organizational journey.
Areas of Support
Our Nonprofit Effectiveness grants support the following areas:
Building Internal Capacity: such as organizational audits and departmental infrastructure buildingNavigating Change: such as executive transitions and succession planning, and strategic plans that support major changes in mission.Inclusive Leadership Development and Support: such as governance and board support, executive coaching, DEIA education, and leadership training for mid-level staff.
For more details about areas of support, please view the grant guidelines.

Eligibility

501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored programs100% of your work must be in support of Worcester County residentsYour organization has not received a Nonprofit Effectiveness grant from GWCF within the past 18 monthsThe proposed work is set to begin at a date after payment is made. (Reimbursement grants are not eligible)

Ineligibility

The grant program is not able to support the following:Salaries for new or existing positionsOperational CostsCapital Projects/PurchasesExceptions made for software and equipment that are part of a larger scope of workCapital CampaignsPilot Projects (of a programmatic nature)Merger explorationsReimbursements/ Support for work already done

What Greater Worcester Community Foundation Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
286
Total given
$8.57M
Median grant
$16K
Range
$5,100–$565K
  • By dollars: Massachusetts 95%, Connecticut 1%, New York <1%. Top recipient cities: Worcester, MA; Boston, MA; Leominster, MA.
  • 0% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 33% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • Boys & Girls Club of Worcester · Worcester, MA

    Youth development

    $565K

  • Worcester Historical Museum (DBA Museum of Worcester) · Worcester, MA

    Arts, culture & humanities

    $415K

  • Rural Cemetery & Crematory · Worcester, MA

    Human services

    $264K

  • United Way of Central Massachusetts · Worcester, MA

    Philanthropy, voluntarism & grantmaking foundations

    $261K

  • Umass Memorial Health Care Inc · Worcester, MA

    Health care

    $203K

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Capacity building
  • Professional development

Categories

Browse similar grants by category

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