grants...

To apply for a grant from the Community Foundation, please complete this form and return to grants@chescocf.org.

To see a list of grant proposals currently on file at the Community Foundation, please click here. Please note that this list is updated throughout the year as new proposals are received.
 

Grant information and guidelines
The Community Foundation holds over 300 charitable funds in trust for individuals, families, corporations and nonprofits.  In general, application is made to the Community Foundation as a whole for consideration by each of our separate donor advised funds.  We have a small pool of unrestricted funding at the Foundation, but over 95 % of the grant dollars issued by the Foundation are granted through the generosity of the donor advised funds.

 The Community Foundation sends each fund advisor a list of possible grant applications each quarter.  They may opt to fund any of the proposed grant requests.   Funding is more of an art than a science.  It depends on a donor's personal preference for a request given their field of interest and geographic preference. A grant application will stay active for 12-18 months.  Our average grant size is about $1,500-$3,000.  Of course, some donors can provide more. While most of our grants are for general operating support, a donor is "connected" through identification with a particular project or program.

We would encourage you to submit an application to the Community Foundation, remembering that funding depends on the various donor preferences.  Electronic applications are preferred, so please download our grant application, fill it out, and email it back to grants@chescocf.org.

 Please contact us if you have any questions. Email grants@chescocf.org or call 610-696-8211.

Proposals submitted by Chester County nonprofits will be considered for 2 types of grants:

1) DONOR ADVISED & FIELD OF INTEREST FUNDS:
Proposals received at any time throughout the year are eligible for funding consideration from the Foundation’s Donor Advised Funds and Field of Interest Funds. The Chester County Community Foundation holds in trust over 300 funds established by individuals, families and corporations. Grant proposals are shared with Fund Advisors to assist them in making grant decisions related to the funds they have entrusted to the Community Foundation. Grants made from donor advised funds may be made to charitable organizations from various fields of interest including arts and culture; humanities; education; community improvement; environment; health; and human services. These grant awards typically range from $1,000 to $20,000. Grant decisions are made intermittently throughout the year.

2) FUND FOR CHESTER COUNTY: STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE:
Proposals received by September 15 of each year will be eligible for funding consideration from the Foundation’s unrestricted grant making fund, the Fund for Chester County: Strengthening Communities Initiative. These highly competitive, small grant awards typically range from $1,000 to $2,000. Preference will be given to small and mid-size nonprofits, with budgets under $500,000, that provide services to Chester County residents that strengthen the social, cultural, health, educational and/or economic character of a community. An emphasis of the initiative is to illuminate the work of emerging nonprofits. The nonprofit must be located in Chester County to receive a grant from this fund. Distribution of grants will occur by late February.

A proposal is considered “complete” when the Chester County Community Foundation has received the Grant Proposal Summary Sheet, Grant Proposal Narrative, and Attachments. Completed proposals may be submitted via U.S. postal service or e-mail. E-mail is strongly encouraged.

Applicants to the Fund for Chester County: Strengthening Communities Initiative:
• Must be charitable, tax exempt organizations with 501(c) (3) certification
• Must be located in and support charitable activities in Chester County

The Fund for Chester County: Strengthening Communities Initiative will not fund:
• Individuals
• Organizations that do not provide services in Chester County

Please send completed applications, preferably as email attachments, to :
Beth Harper Briglia, Vice President of Donor Services and Grantmaking
Chester County Community Foundation
28 West Market Street
West Chester, PA 19382
info@chescocf.org

Services for grantmakers

The Community Foundation frequently receives queries from other foundations regarding the worthiness of prospective grant recipients in Chester County, and the development of effective grantmaking programs.  Our central location in West Chester enables us to serve as a convener for collaborations on important issues.

We can help collaboratives to generate significant funds to meet local needs.  CCCF can create and manage grantmaking programs for corporations.  And, when foundations or trusts have outlived their time, we can accept their assets and revitalize their programs for increased effectiveness.

Another excellent source for grant information is Delaware Valley Grantmakers. Visit www.dvg.org.