The Activation Fund provides support for discrete, one-year projects designed to help community organizations move to the next level of capacity and effectiveness. This may involve one or more of the following:
GUIDELINES & APPLICATION PROCESS
The 2025 Activation Fund grant opportunity is now open and the deadline for submission of Phase I materials is Friday, February 28, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Please download and carefully review the Activation Fund Guidelines & FAQ’s and see below for details.
In general, grants are limited to a 12-month duration for projects that will not require ongoing fundraising efforts for continuation beyond the end of the grant period. Request amounts should range between $60,000 – $125,000. Examples of the types of funding requests considered include but are not limited to: one-time training or professional development; pilot programs or demonstration projects; program planning/start-up costs; and discrete capital projects/equipment or technology purchases. For a list of projects selected for funding in previous grant cycles, please click here.
Interested organizations are encouraged to attend an information session to learn about the application timeline and process in 2025. Virtual Information Sessions will be held on Monday, January 27, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. and Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. with time set aside for Q&A with attendees during these sessions and afterwards during posted office hours. Please complete the Info Session Registration Form to sign up for an information session. A recording will be available upon request. Please contact Foundation staff in advance if language assistance or other accessibility accommodations are needed.
Organizations should prioritize needs internally and submit only one request per grant cycle. While there is no required waiting period between application submissions, the Foundation aims to support as many different organizations as possible; therefore, preference may be given to organizations that have not received Foundation funding within the last 12 months.
2025 ACTIVATION FUND KEY DATES
| February 28, 2025 | Phase I materials due including Cover Sheet and brief Concept Paper |
| April 11, 2025 | Applicants notified of Board’s decisions to invite Phase II applications |
| May 15, 2025 | Phase II application materials due (by invitation) |
| June 27, 2025 | Applicants notified of the Board’s funding decisions |
| July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | 2025 Activation Fund Grant Period |
STEPS TO APPLY
The Activation Fund has a two-step application process. At each phase, the required materials should be sent via email to [email protected] by the posted deadlines. Organizations that submit a concept paper in Phase I will be notified by Foundation staff if invited to submit a Phase II application.
Phase I: Interested applicants may download and submit the Phase I AF Cover Sheet linked below, along with a One-Page Concept Paper (11 pt. font, 1-inch margins) outlining the proposed project and grant amount requested, and a list of Board members with community affiliations or a list of senior leaders/staff (for government/quasi-government agencies). Concept papers should include the following:
• Brief summary of the organization’s mission, core programs/services, and geographic service area
• Description of the project and anticipated impact on organizational capacity (e.g., numbers served)
• Estimated project costs (if known), grant request amount, and other sources of support (if any)
Phase I AF Concept Paper Cover Sheet
Phase II: Invited applicants may download and submit the Phase II AF Cover Sheet, Phase II AF Application Form and AF Project Budget Form linked below along with the attachments listed on the cover sheet. Required financials include the IRS Form 990 or financial statements (audited, if available) for the most recent fiscal year. Groups applying with a fiscal sponsor are asked to download and submit the Fiscal Sponsor Commitment Form with your other materials.
Phase II AF Cover Sheet
Phase II AF Application Form
Phase II AF Application Guide
AF Project Budget Form
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Applications are reviewed by Foundation staff and Directors and decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Key factors for consideration may be downloaded below.
AF Key Factors for Consideration
Successful applicants typically possess these characteristics:
• Strong staff and board leadership committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Representation of the population of focus in decision-making
• Track record of sustainable operations (or a fiscal sponsor with financial stability)
• Proven program effectiveness
• Measurable goals and objectives
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ACTIVATION FUND
Ms. Jennie Blake, Vice President for Programs
Phone: (508) 438-0009 x 6
Email: [email protected]