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:
In general, grants are limited to a 12-month duration (October-September) for projects that will not require ongoing fundraising efforts for continuation beyond the end of the grant period. Awards are typically in the range of $60,000 – $120,000.
Organizations should prioritize needs internally and submit only one proposal per grant cycle. While there is no required waiting period between proposal submissions, the Foundation aims to support as many organizations as possible; therefore, preference is given to organizations that have not received Foundation funding within the last 12 months.
GUIDELINES & APPLICATION PROCESS
Please download and carefully review the 2023 AF Guidelines & FAQs here, which detail the funding goals and types of support considered, the application process (new in 2023), and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
The deadline for receipt of materials required to be considered for a 2023 Activation Fund grant is Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
| Feb. – March: | Consultations with Jennie Blake, Senior Program Officer |
| April 12: | Phase I application materials due |
| Mid-June: | Applicants notified of the Board’s decisions to invite full proposals |
| August 1: | Phase II application materials are due (for those invited to submit) |
| Late September: | Applicants notified of the Board’s funding decisions |
Steps to Apply (New Process in 2023)
After attending an information session, interested organizations are strongly encouraged to arrange a consultation with Jennie Blake, Senior Program Officer (jblake@hfcm.org) to discuss alignment of proposed project ideas with the Foundation’s funding approach prior to application submission. Consultations may be scheduled by appointment.
The Activation Fund has a two-step application process. At each phase, the required materials should be sent via email to info@hfcm.org by the posted deadlines.
Phase I: Organizations are asked to complete the Phase I Cover Sheet and Application Form and provide a target project budget and current Board list. The six questions in Section I of the application form are identical in Phase I and Phase II of the process. Phase I application materials, which include an application guide and a preview of additional application questions in Phase II, may be downloaded here:
Phase I AF Cover Sheet
Phase I AF Application Form & Guide
Phase II: If invited to submit, organizations will receive Phase II application forms from Foundation staff. Applicants will have the opportunity to update (pre-filled) responses provided in Phase I and provide additional project detail in Section II of the application. Required attachments include a completed Project Budget Form, current operating budget, and Form 990 or financial statements for the most recent fiscal year. To preview the Project Budget Form please click here:
AF Project Budget Form
Assessment Process
Grant requests are reviewed by Foundation staff and decisions are made by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Requests are assessed on multiple criteria, including concept fit with Activation Fund goals and funding guidelines, alignment with the Foundation’s mission and commitment to health equity, including impact on historically marginalized populations, and additional factors, such as demonstration of community need, organizational capacity, and clarity of goals identified. Key factors for consideration in decision-making and previews of required grant report forms (for funded applicants) may be downloaded here:
AF Key Factors for Consideration
AF Process Evaluation Form
AF Project Summary Report Form
Questions about the Activation Fund:
Ms. Jennie Blake, Senior Program Officer
Phone: (508) 438-0009 x 6
Email: jblake@hfcm.org