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TFEC Community Equity Grants
The Community Equity Fund, a fund of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities, exists to support organizations who are working to implement solutions to combat the impacts of systemic injustice and strengthen the voice of historically marginalized groups. The historical and current impacts of discrimination and injustice play powerful roles in sustaining obstacles to thriving communities. The impact of injustice has shaped many systems leading to inequitable access to services and resources. The fund will provide grants to organizations actively working to create change and increase access.
Grant Amount
Grants will average between $5,000 and $10,000
Applications Open: November 1
Applications Close: February 1
Apply NowFunding Priorities
The grant will provide funding for, but is not limited to, the following areas:
- Community Leadership and Development
- Addressing Resource Inequities (basic needs, wealth disparity)
- Racial and Cultural Education
- Dismantling, disrupting, or remedying forms of systemic injustice
Grant Eligibility
- This opportunity is available to nonprofit organizations serving the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry, and the Dillsburg Area of Northern York County.
- Applicants must either be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or have a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization act as a fiscal sponsor for the proposed project.
Grant Timeline
- November 1: Application available.
- February 1: All application materials must be submitted online.
- Applicants will be notified of their status by June 1.
- Proposed projects may take place at any time during the grant year beginning July 1 of the award year and ending June 30 of the following year. Only projects taking place during the stated grant year will be considered for this round of funding.
What We Do Not Fund
- Advertising*
- Capital campaigns
- Direct lobbying to influence legislation or funding appropriations*
- Individuals
- National and statewide umbrella organizations that cannot demonstrate a local presence
- New staff positions without a substantial plan for sustainability
- Religious organizations for religious purposes
- Retroactive projects
*Grant proposals that include these should describe the scope, purpose and guidelines.
Criteria for Evaluating Proposals
Below is a list of the criteria utilized by the Community Equity Fund Committee to evaluate applications.
- 10 Funding:
- Clearly defines where awarded funds will be applied and identifies additional funding sources
- 20 Narrative
- Need and target audience is clearly stated.
- Narrative provides a clear picture of all proposed actions and activities.
- Project/program dates and locations are clearly addressed and anticipated.
- 10 Project impact is clearly defined and measurable:
- Goals are measurable and anticipated outcomes are clearly defined.
- Has a clear evaluation plan
- 10 Diversity Equity and Inclusion:
- Project demonstrates how it will be inclusive/accessible to historically marginalized groups.
- The board, staff and/or volunteers reflect the community and the people being served.
- Strengthen the voice of historically marginalized groups
50 TOTAL POINTS AVAILABLE
Resources
- Application Tutorial: How to register and apply
- Draft Reviews: Applicants may request a draft review of their application up to 2 weeks prior to the deadline. To request a draft review, contact the Community Impact Team at grants@tfec.org.
If you have any questions regarding TFEC grant opportunities or your application, please contact the Community Impact Team at grants@tfec.org or 717-236-5040. Questions are welcome at any time
