Elfin Forest Community Foundation

Apply

Ask the community’s checkbook to back the work.

One form. Two tracks: a regular project grant for residents or landowners of Elfin Forest and Harmony Grove, or a matching grant if you are a local 501(c). The Foundation funds both from gifts made to us — we do not raise money on behalf of other nonprofits.

Prefer paper for the rules? Print a one-page summary. The application itself is this form — not nine photocopies in the mail.

Elfin Forest Community Foundation — Grant rules

Project grant rules

  • Spring opens February 1, due April 15, 5 p.m., awards about May 15. Fall opens August 1, due October 15, 5 p.m., awards about November 15.
  • Applicants must be residents or landowners of Elfin Forest or Harmony Grove. The request must be not-for-profit and for the public good.
  • Widest community impact, rural character, new applicants, and matching cash or donated labor all help.
  • We generally fund materials and procurement, not labor, except in unique cases.
  • Finish within 12 months. Within 30 days of completion: a written synopsis and at least three photographs for Foundation communications.
  • Attach a detailed budget, location materials, donated labor/materials, a timeline, and — if a nonprofit — officers plus IRS determination. Residents applying as individuals or ad hoc groups also name three resident supporters. A local 501(c) in good standing does not.
  • Priorities are set by the community. The Foundation is the mechanism.
  • Awards depend on available trust income and donations that cycle. Typical project grants have ranged from about $1,000 to $9,000.

Matching grant — pilot

  • Spring opens February 1, due April 15, 5 p.m., awards about May 15. Fall opens August 1, due October 15, 5 p.m., awards about November 15.
  • For a local 501(c) organization in good standing. You run your own fundraising; the Foundation does not solicit or collect gifts on your behalf. Neighbors who want to fund the match give to EFCF.
  • Present your fundraising goal — what you aim to raise, from whom, and over what window. The Foundation uses that to set the match. Do not request a match dollar figure; we decide the award from the goal and the verified gifts.
  • Suggested campaign window: Giving Tuesday through December 31.
  • Match is typically 1:1, up to a cap set each year. Foundation-wide matching budget is targeted at up to $50,000 Foundation-wide. Individual donor amounts counting toward the match may be capped so a few large checks cannot dominate.
  • Required: IRS determination, project description, a fundraising plan aimed at many community donors (not one underwriter), governance documents, and a plan to verify donations. Three resident supporters are not required of a local 501(c) in good standing.
  • Funds are released only after donation verification. A post-grant report is required, including the number of unique local donors.
Choose a track

Project grant rules

  • Spring opens February 1, due April 15, 5 p.m., awards about May 15. Fall opens August 1, due October 15, 5 p.m., awards about November 15.
  • Applicants must be residents or landowners of Elfin Forest or Harmony Grove. The request must be not-for-profit and for the public good.
  • Widest community impact, rural character, new applicants, and matching cash or donated labor all help.
  • We generally fund materials and procurement, not labor, except in unique cases.
  • Finish within 12 months. Within 30 days of completion: a written synopsis and at least three photographs for Foundation communications.
  • Attach a detailed budget, location materials, donated labor/materials, a timeline, and — if a nonprofit — officers plus IRS determination. Residents applying as individuals or ad hoc groups also name three resident supporters. A local 501(c) in good standing does not.
  • Priorities are set by the community. The Foundation is the mechanism.
  • Awards depend on available trust income and donations that cycle. Typical project grants have ranged from about $1,000 to $9,000.
Applicant
Project
Three resident supporters

Preferably people directly affected. Name plus email or phone for each. Not required if you are a local 501(c) in good standing.

Attachments

PDF, JPG, or PNG. Budget, location photos or drawings, donated labor/materials, and — if you are a nonprofit — officer list and IRS determination letter. Keep the whole packet under 9 MB so the files travel with the email.