Grant applications
are due at 5 PM on
Thursday, March 10, 2011.

The Eau Claire Community Foundation will
begin accepting grant applications on
Tuesday, January 3, 2011.

Download the Asset Purchase or
Improvement Grant Application.

Download the Program Grant Application.

The Eau Claire Community Foundation supports programs that enrich the quality of life of those who live and work in the Eau Claire area. The Foundation has awarded over $2 million in grants to over 140 non-profit organizations from 1997 to 2009.

The Foundation's Unrestricted Funds are distributed by making grants selected by a competitive process conducted by a volunteer review team. Organizations may submit their completed applications and the review team selects a number of grants to be approved by the Foundation's Board of Trustees. Applications may also be reviewed by Donor Advisors and may thereby be funded even if the competitive process does not result in a funded grant for the applicant. All applications submitted are kept on file for one year for such reviews. Donor Advised Funds are not subject to the same guidelines as Unrestricted Funds; the decisions about granting from those funds is done at the discretion of the individual Donor Advisors.

Organizations can also choose to have their fund held by the Eau Claire Community Foundation; these are called Agency Funds. Granting from these Agency Funds is accomplished by a direct request from the organization or on a schedule created when the Agency Fund is established. Occasionally organizations conducting capital campaigns establish a fund at the Foundation to hold the contributions that are made to the capital campaign.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A GRANT

Your organizations must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a grant:

 Be classified as a charitable organization under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or another qualified
   501(C)(3) organization must agree to serve as fiscal agent. A letter of agreement signed by both parties must
   accompany the proposal. Schools and government organizations may also be eligible.

 Be located in or provide services to residents within the Eau Claire area (some exceptions apply).

Your grant application will be evaluated based on the policies, funding objectives, and mission of the Eau Claire Community Foundation. Special emphasis is given to funding programs in the following categories: culture, education, environment, recreation, and social services.

The Foundation favors innovative proposals that:

 Originate from a local office of the organization, if there is one

 Have a target population that lives in the Eau Claire area

 Demonstrate strong volunteer involvement

 Promote collaboration and reduce duplication of services

 Strengthen the ability of our community to respond more effectively to needs

 Build on the strengths of the community

 Apply the Foundation’s resources optimally to meet an important community need

The Foundation generally does not fund applications for:

 Repetitive grants (i.e. requests for funding for the same purpose year after year)

 Grants for debt retirement, annual campaigns, lobbying, or emergency funding

 Direct grants to individuals

 Contributions to endowment funds

 Regular operating expenses (i.e. funds needed for day to day expenses of the organization such as rent, utilities, salaries)

 Sectarian (religious) programs, where participation in the program requires a membership or commitment to a certain belief

If you are interested in obtaining a grant, you are strongly encouraged to:

 Contact the Eau Claire Community Foundation Grants Coordinator before submitting your grant request.

 Submit a letter of intent at least one month prior to the application due date, briefly outlining your proposal.

 Attend a one-hour grant application class. Contact the Foundation office to learn when they will be scheduled.

Requirements for submitting your grant application include:

 Grant applications must be postmarked or delivered to the Eau Claire Community Foundation office by the due date.

 Grant applications must be delivered or mailed. Applications sent by fax or email are not accepted.

 Grant applications must be typed.

 Submit the original application and cover letter, plus fifteen (15) copies. All copies should be three-hole punched.

 One copy of the following attachments is required:

            1) Most recent audited financial statement or form 990 tax return
            2) List of Board of Directors
            3) A copy of current IRS determination letter indicating 501(c)(3), or 509(a) tax exempt status, or evidence
                the organization is not a private foundation as defined in Section 509(a). If not available, explain status.

For more information or to submit your grant application, contact:
Lorraine Henning, Eau Claire Community Foundation Grants Coordinator
          (715) 552-3801          306 S. Barstow Suite 104 Eau Claire, WI 54701

Grant will be announced at the end of May and checks distributed at the Eau Claire Community Foundation's Annual Meeting.