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:
Requests for Activation Fund grants are typically considered annually. 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.
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.
GUIDELINES & APPLICATION PROCESS
The application timeline and grant period have been modified, and forms have been updated in 2024, so please download and carefully review the 2024 Activation Fund Guidelines & FAQ’s and see below for details. The deadline for submission of Phase I materials is Friday, March 1, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.
Interested organizations are encouraged to attend an information session to learn about the modified application timeline and process in 2024. Virtual Information Sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 23 at 2:00 p.m. and Thursday, February 8 at 10:00 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.
For a recording of the 2024 virtual information session or a copy of the presentation slides, please contact Daniel Germain at dgermain@thfcm.org.
2024 Activation Fund Key Dates
| March 1, 2024 | Phase I materials due including Cover Sheet, Concept Paper & Board list |
| April 12, 2024 | Applicants notified of Board’s decisions to invite Phase II applications |
| May 10, 2024 | Phase II application materials due (by invitation) |
| June 21, 2024 | Applicants notified of the Board’s funding decisions |
| July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 | 2024 Activation Fund Grant Period |
Steps to Apply (Updated in 2024)
The Activation Fund has a two-step application process. At each phase, the required materials should be sent via email to info@thfcm.org by the posted deadlines.
Phase I: A one-page concept paper outlining the proposed project and grant amount requested is due by Friday, March 1 at 5:00 p.m. Please download and complete the Phase I AF Cover Sheet linked below, which includes key questions to be addressed in the concept paper and instructions for submission. Applicants will be notified if invited to submit a Phase II application by April 12, 2024.
Phase I AF Concept Paper Cover Sheet
Phase II: Invited applicants are asked to download and submit Phase II AF Cover Sheet, Phase II AF Application Form and AF Project Budget Form below along with the attachments listed on the cover sheet by Friday, May 10, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. 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. Funding decisions will be made by June 21, 2024.
Phase II AF Cover Sheet
Phase II AF Application Form
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: jblake@thfcm.org