GWCF: Nonprofit Effectiveness Grant Program (Formerly Mini-Grant Program)
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
Focus Areas & Funding Uses
Fields of Work
- Nonprofits
- Capacity building
- Professional development
Categories
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