The Community Foundation's Mini-Grants program provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $200,000. The grants are intended to support programming, operations, or ongoing projects, with awards of up to $5,000. However, event or festival sponsorships and other time-sensitive initiatives are not eligible for funding. Grant requests are compiled and presented to donors for review and potential funding through a Funding Opportunities Catalog published annually.

The purpose of the Mini-Grants program is to support small nonprofits by addressing their specific operational or programmatic needs. The program encourages applicants to articulate clearly the impact the funds will have on their organization or those they serve. Applicants are advised to use detailed and measurable descriptions of their proposed use of funds to increase the likelihood of donor selection. The focus is on demonstrating a tangible and specific benefit to the community.

Eligible organizations must provide a valid Federal Tax ID number for verification and adhere to the program's requirements. To improve the chances of securing funding, applicants are urged to avoid vague statements and instead quantify the impact of their projects, specifying details such as the number of individuals served, frequency of service, and duration. This approach helps donors understand the precise value and scope of their contribution.

The application period for the 2025 Mini-Grants program runs from December 9, 2024, to February 5, 2025. All requests will be included in the Funding Opportunities Catalog, which is presented to donors multiple times throughout the year. Applicants will be notified promptly if their project receives partial or full funding. All requests, funded or not, will be concluded by December 31, 2025.

Key evaluation criteria include clarity, specificity, and the measurable impact of the grant request. The program emphasizes the importance of crafting concise and compelling narratives that stand out among the 35-40 applications typically reviewed by donors. This ensures that projects with clear benefits and quantifiable outcomes are prioritized for funding.

Organizations interested in applying should prepare their proposals with a focus on providing precise and impactful information. The ability to clearly demonstrate the difference the funds will make to the organization or community will be a critical factor in securing a Mini-Grant.