Community Action Grants FAQs
Who can apply for grants from the Community Foundation?
Any 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization in our service area is eligible for consideration. We serve Brooke, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler and Wetzel counties in West Virginia and Belmont and Jefferson counties in Ohio.
What is the average size of a grant award from the Community Foundation?
It is rare for the Community Foundation to make a gift in an amount larger than $10,000; our typical award is somewhere between $1,500 and $5,000.
What kinds of organizations have received funding from the Community Foundation in the recent past?
Follow the link on the Grants menu to a list of some of our recent grantees.
Are there restrictions to what the foundation will fund?
CFOV generally does not make grants to support: Annual appeals or fundraising campaigns, Organizations outside of our service area, Endowment campaigns, Sectarian religious purposes, Loans or loan pay-offs, General operating or maintenance grants for established organizations
What elements might make an application from my organization successful?
Following the instructions included in the application packet are of paramount importance. Keeping your application materials as simple as possible is also recommended. Failure to include a project/program budget will eliminate your application from consideration. When in doubt, feel free to contact the Foundation for technical assistance in application completion.
If my organization has previously received a grant from the Community Foundation, is it possible to receive additional funding at a later date?
Yes – prior funding does not preclude future consideration. However, failure to adhere to the very simple grant contract that the Foundation requires, especially failing to file the required grant report, will make future funding unlikely.
Does the Community Foundation provide grants to individuals?
No – with the exception of scholarship awards (which are made to the individual and his or her educational institution jointly), no grants or distributions to individuals can be made.
Can the Community Foundation help me in seeking funding for my organization even outside its own grant programs?
The Community Foundation is a resource for the nonprofit organizations in its service area. You are welcome to contact the Foundation and/or schedule an appointment to discuss your organization and its funding needs.
