When to Apply
Our strategic grantmaking takes place on a Fall cycle. Unless otherwise noted, grant applications may be submitted in the fall for funding that covers a full year.
Fall Grant Cycle
During the upcoming grant cycle, we will offer two pools of applicants, both providing General Operating Support (GOS) funding. Both are open to organizations that have previously received funding from FCCF.
Pool 1: Strategic Partner Grants
This funding pool is designed for organizations that are highly aligned with our mission and have an established history with our organization through funding and partnership.
Key features:
- Invitation-only application process
- No Letter of Intent (LOI) required
- Submission deadline of September 30
- Grant awards of up to $50,000
Pool 2: Community Impact Grants
This funding pool is intended to provide more flexible support through a streamlined process.
Key features:
- Submission deadline of December 31
- No Letter of Intent (LOI) required
- Grant awards of up to $10,000–$15,000
Rolling Grant Opportunities
The Fairfield County Food Security Fund is accepting grant applications until all available funds have been expended. Learn more & apply.
The Fund for Women & Girls Small Grants Program also accepts applications on a rolling basis.
What to Apply For
Various types of strategic grants are available to Fairfield County nonprofits.
General Operating seeks to support highly effective organizations that are critical to the achievement of one or more of our key result areas, center systems-change work that addresses the root causes of inequity, and have a proven track record of effectiveness and impact. Reporting will focus on the organization’s overall impact and effectiveness. We recommend that organizations previously funded by the Foundation apply for general operating support. Only those organizations that are highly aligned with FCCF’s systems-change priority should apply for general operating support. The grant sizes will range up to $50,000.
Fairfield County’s Community Foundation offers capacity-building grants of up to $10,000 for mission-aligned organizations investing in their strength and sustainability. These grants are intended to support organizational effectiveness, such as leadership development, strategic planning, technology improvements, and impact measurement. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as long as funding is available. Organizations can apply for Capacity Building support even if they have another open grant with Fairfield County’s Community Foundation. Learn more & apply.
For organizations that are still growing and might not yet qualify for larger grants, our Fund for Women & Girls gives out smaller grants of up to $5,000. These grants support projects that focus on the intersecting needs of women, girls, and non-binary people who are affected by inequitable systems. Applications are accepted year-round, as long as money is still available, through a streamlined process. Learn more & apply.
Fairfield County Food Security grants seek to fill unmet needs in underserved communities by strengthening the collaborative efforts of nonprofits and grassroots organizations that are responding to increased demands and community needs. The Community Foundation will award organizations that best demonstrate the potential to make meaningful, measurable changes in our community by centering equity and transforming the systems and structures at the root of inequities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, until available funded are expended. Learn more & apply.
How to Apply
Most of our strategic grants follow the below four-step process.
(Note: our Fund for Women & Girls Small Grants and Equity Incubator Grants follow a streamlined process.)
1.) Log in or set up an account.
We handle all communications for strategic grants through an online Grants and Programs Portal. First-time users need to set up an account to get started. Need help? Watch this tutorial.
2.) Complete an eligibility screening.
After logging in to the portal, you’ll go through a quick quiz to confirm you’re eligible to apply for a strategic grant. If the quiz determines that you meet the requirements, you will be shown a list of opportunities.
(Note: When you click through to learn more about opportunities, you may choose an option to export application questions as a PDF so that you may gather information at your convenience.) When you are ready, select your desired opportunity to be directed to a section where you can submit a letter of inquiry.
3.) If invited, submit a full application.
If your project meets our funding priorities, we will invite you to submit a full grant application through the grants portal. These invitations are made at the discretion of program directors, and do not in any way guarantee a grant award.
Have questions about our strategic grant process? Contact Sharon Jones, Grants Associate, at SJones@FCCFoundation.org or call (203) 750-3200.
