NiSource Charitable Foundation Fund for Merrimack Valley

_NOTE: Applicants will be asked to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) ONLY.

About ECCF

Essex County Community Foundation inspires philanthropy that strengthens the communities of Essex County by managing charitable assets, strengthening and supporting nonprofits, and engaging in strategic community leadership initiatives.

NiSource Charitable Foundation Fund for Merrimack Valley

To demonstrate a collaborative and sustainable investment in the region, in 2020 NiSource established the NiSource Charitable Foundation Fund for Merrimack Valley (“the Fund”), a Field of Interest Fund at Essex County Community Foundation (ECCF).

This responsive grantmaking program invites nonprofits to apply for grants between $25,000-200,000 in support of the core areas of Basic Needs & Hardship Assistance, Economic & Workforce Development, Safety, STEM and Energy Education and Environmental Stewardship. While the core five areas above remain the focus, the Advisors wish to highlight economic inclusion, racial and gender equity and environmental justice.

Core areas are:

• Basic Needs & Hardship Assistance: Food, Shelter, Social Determinants of Health Service and Mental Health
• Economic & Workforce Development: Retention and Attraction of Job Opportunities; Energy Infrastructure; Community Vitality
• Environmental Stewardship: Protection and Restoration of Natural Resources, Energy Conservation and Environmental Education
• Safety: Emergency Assistance & Disaster Preparedness, First Aid, Safety Education & Energy Safety
• STEM and Energy Education: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Energy Education

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Applications are welcome from:
  • 501(c)(3) organizations\*
  • Collaborations of two or more 501(c)(3) organizations
  • Municipalities of City of Lawrence, Town of Andover and Town of North Andover are allowed as sub-partner or collaborator, but not as lead applicant.
• Applicants may now apply for general operating support OR for new or ongoing programs as in years past.
• Applicants may now apply for multi-year funding of up to three years.
  • The grant between $25,000-200,000 would be spread over the period of time.
• Grant reviewers also look for the following:
  • Clearly defined objectives that will positively impact the people and places of the three communities
  • The potential impact of the proposed work on the population served
  • Quality of programming
  • Management staff with considerable administrative experience
  • Fiscally sound programs/organizations with balanced budgets

Ineligibility

• Grants will not be awarded:
  • Directly to individuals
  • For sectarian or religious purposes.
  • NiSource Charitable Foundation Fund for Merrimack Valley is limited to non-sectarian programming for residents of all religious and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Programs sponsored by religious organizations are eligible, if service is open to all and the program is free of mandatory religious instruction, worship, or other sectarian activities.
  • For political purposes
  • For debt or deficit reduction
  • For capital campaigns such as buildings, land acquisition, vehicles or endowment
  • Supporting academic research