Small Town Challenge Fund Grant

Small Town Challenge Fund Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation for the Alleghenies
Amount: Up to US $25,000
Last Updated: March 11, 2026

Summary

The Small Town Challenge Fund, launched by the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, invites municipalities in Cambria and Indiana counties to apply for one of two $25,000 grants. This initiative aims to establish endowment funds that support long-term community projects. Eligible applicants can receive dollar-for-dollar matching funds for their fundraising efforts. The program encourages local investment and collaboration among municipalities, ultimately fostering sustainable growth and development in small towns.

Overview

Small Town Challenge Looking for a way to make a difference in your small town? The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies is excited to share a new match challenge funding opportunity. This year, municipalities in Cambria and Indiana counties can apply for an opportunity to win one of two $25,000 awards that will be used to start an endowment fund for their town. From the applications, two municipalities will be selected, and CFA will match their fundraising dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000—all to be added to their own endowment. The Small Town Challenge encourages local communities to invest in their own long-term perpetuity. HOW IT WORKS Applications are solicited and evaluated for two $25,000 awards. Decisions are made at the discretion of the Community Foundation. The award must be used to create an endowed fund at CFA, or be added to the endowment of an existing fund. Endowment funds operate by pooling donations to create a sustainable source of income for a community. The principal amount is invested, and a portion of the returns generated are used to support various initiatives. 2025 Small Town Challenge Fund Accepting Submissions from 04/01/2025 to 05/30/2025 The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies is accepting applications for an opportunity to win one of two $25,000 grant awards, which will be endowed into a CFA fund for that specific community. The community will have up to two years from the date they are notified of the award to match the $25,000 grant with new funds that will also be deposited into the endowment. Grantmaking from the fund will be eligible to begin one year from the date that the match is met. The amount available for distribution via grantmaking will be determined based on CFA's spending policy of 4.5% (estimated to be approximately $2,250 if the fund is valued at $50,000). A grant of $25,000 is the maximum amount that will be awarded to each small town's fund. If a small town does not raise $25,000 within two years, but they do raise the minimum amount of $10,000, CFA will still match dollar for dollar up to the amount raised, not to exceed $25,000.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Municipalities in Cambria and Indiana counties are eligible to apply. Specifically, this opportunity is open to cities, boroughs, and townships. Collaboration and/or partnerships between two or more municipalities are allowable.If you are applying as a municipality partnership, please designate one lead applicant municipality to create the applicant profile, and supply letters of support from all participating municipalities in your application.The Foundation may opt to include other counties in the future. Applicants may already have an existing CFA endowment, but the match funding must be new funding that has not already been raised.The winning Small Town Challenge Funds must agree to establish a CFA endowment fund, and name fund representatives with strong likelihood of long-term responsibility for oversight of grantmaking as well as additional fundraising.Each Small Town Challenge Fund must include at least one official employee, elected official, or designated representative from the municipality itself as a fund representative.

Ineligibility

Projects that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, color, creed, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any veteran status are ineligible.