Community Foundation of Abilene’s Discretionary Grant – Texas

Details:

Discretionary Grant cycle is available for Abilene 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to meet immediate community needs.

The Community Foundation of Abilene is a public foundation committed to improving the quality of life in their area. The Foundation is a pool of charitable funds whose earnings are used to benefit the Abilene community. This is done largely by making grants to nonprofit organizations.

What they Fund

Grants are awarded from the discretionary and field of interest funds of the CFA. The Community Foundation maintains full discretion over all grant making decisions. CFA will consider funding for operating expenses, special projects, innovative programs, equipment and building needs. Most grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Larger grants have been made on occasion. The chances of your agency’s proposal being funded are substantially increased if the program or project:

• Proposes practical solutions to community problems;
• Responds to changing or emerging community needs;
• Addresses prevention as well as assistance for a problem;
• Promotes cooperation among nonprofit agencies without duplicating efforts;
• Leverages or generates other funding or resources;
• Promotes volunteer participation and citizen involvement in the community;
• Promotes grants that enhance and encourage sustainability.

Consideration is also given to the capability of the agency and its personnel to achieve expected results, past stewardship of the agency, the adequacy and professionalism of the budget, and the support and cooperation of the agencies involved in similar projects.

Geographic Location

Funds are restricted to agencies located in and serving Abilene populations. Consideration will only be given to agencies serving Abilene and immediate surrounding areas. An agency is not required to have a location in Abilene, but it is preferred that there is a chapter or representative in Abilene.

Eligibility Criteria

The Community Foundation welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations in the Abilene, Texas area with an IRS tax exempt status. To be eligible to submit a grant proposal, an organization must be in compliance with any previous grant reporting requirements or conditions.

Some organizations have independent divisions that fall under the same 501 (c) 3. If there is a legitimate need, more than one division (operating under the same tax ID) may apply for a grant in the same cycle. For example, an organization serving as a fiscal agent for an agency or division requesting a grant may also apply for a grant in the same grant period.

Ineligible Requests

CFA generally will not make grants for:

• Activities which do not benefit the citizens of Abilene;
• Medical or scholarly research;
• Membership fees;
• Ticket sales for charitable fundraising efforts;
• Church related activities unless they involve the community as a whole;
• Travel for groups, such as school classes, clubs or sports teams;
• Deficit budget expenses or retroactive funding for current projects, programs or equipment;
• Capital debt reduction;
• Individuals, except through our educational scholarships;

For more information, visit Discretionary Grant.