Community Grant

Making Program


Overview | Grant Guidelines | Equal Opportunity Statement | Grants Given

 


GRANT GUIDELINES


Program Areas and Grant Preferences

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES: The Foundation seeks to sponsor activities that strengthen families and help build sustainable neighborhood environments that care about family development and the safety of our children.

  • Grants will be considered for programs and projects that develop the strengths of families and young people and in so doing increase the potential for children and families to thrive in our neighborhoods. We encourage projects that promote safe neighborhoods, healthy home environments, support positive behavioral changes and encourage family communication and involvement in the community.
  • Applicants must address the community need for the proposed program or activity and demonstrate a broad base impact, enumerating the sustainable merits of their project or program to improve neighborhood environments for children and families.

CIVIC PROGRESS: The Foundation seeks to support programs and organizations that propose practical approaches to resolve current community problems and promote a sustainable community. We wish to promote neighbors vested in a shared commitment to their common home, projects that are likely to make a clear difference in the quality of life of a substantial number of area residents, and activities that are collaborative models of service, voluntarism and community leadership development.

  • Grants will be considered for programs and organizations that promote expanded knowledge and examination of humanitarian issues, and propose solutions that improve the quality of life in our area.
  • Applicants must address how their project or program addresses the issue they seek to resolve, how a successful outcome will promote a just, equitable and sustainable society, and demonstrate the community's need and urgency for the expanded capacity being proposed.

CULTURE AND ARTS: The Foundation seeks to support programs and organizations that enhance our cultural understanding and provide experiences that improve our sense of community. Included specifically are arts organizations providing music, drama and art which serve to inspire creativity and enrich the mind, and which ultimately enhance cultural activities in northern Virginia.

  • Grants will be considered for new and existing organizations which strengthen the sense of community in our area through cultural programs that broaden accessibility for area residents to participate.
  • Applicants must address the unique qualities (artistic or otherwise) and merit of the projects or program, and demonstrate the community demand or need for the proposed activity.
  • If applying for a grant from the Frederick L. Spencer, Jr. Memorial Fund your grant request must be restricted to support "music, drama or activities."

EDUCATION: The Foundation seeks to support education programs and projects that ensure all students gain access to an education of the highest quality which prepares them for success in today's knowledge-based economy. Specifically included are programs that advance literacy.

  • Grants will be considered for projects and programs that expand educational capacity, adhere to high standards, are innovative and strengthen learning for a full range of students. Projects should be mindful of improving conditions and learning opportunities for youth at risk, children with learning needs and any student who is in a disadvantaged learning situation.
  • Applicants must address how their proposal elevates educational capacity and provision, how the need was identified, and the range of students impacted.

ENVIRONMENT AND PRESERVATION: The Foundation seeks to support organizations and activities that enhance our way of life through good stewardship of the air, land and water that sustain our community, and support the welfare of all life, both human and animal. Specifically included is the intent to support good stewardship of our abundant historical legacy in Loudoun and Fauquier counties.

  • Recognizing that our daily lives are enriched through our historical legacy in Loudoun and Fauquier counties, grants will be considered for projects that incorporate respect for our historical legacy, engender a healthy environment for people and animals, and promote practices that have a sustainable positive impact on the community.
  • Applicants must address how the merits of their proposal enhance stewardship of the environment, demonstrate the community need, and define the positive impact on the community with respect to humans and/or animals.
  • If applying for a grant from the Peter M. Howard Memorial Fund your grant request must be restricted to support "the preservation of historic properties and open space."

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES: The Foundation seeks to support organizations and projects that improve conditions and opportunities for those who are poor and/or disadvantaged, especially for vulnerable populations such as our youth, seniors and those living in poverty. Of particular interest is effective healthcare and housing programs and related support activities that expand basic services for residents in our community.

  • Grants will be considered for programs and organizations that emphasize improving self-sufficiency for residents who require assistance in day to day living with special attention to the infirm, disabled, youth, seniors, and those living in poverty. Projects should have potential to make a significant impact on the quality of life.
  • Applicants must address the quality and sustainable merit(s) of the service and/or healthcare program proposed to improve living conditions, and demonstrate community demand or need for the proposal.

Grant Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, an applicant must:

  1. Be a public charity, with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), or a public entity described in sections 170 and 2055 of the Code, such as school districts and municipalities.
  2. Provide services within Loudoun and Fauquier counties Virginia. In certain cases, proposal from organizations serving the larger region of northern Virginia may be considered.
  3. Be organized and operated so that there is no illegal discrimination on the basis of race, religion gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability.

Grant Availability
In the early years of the Foundation, UNRESTRICTED GRANT PROGRAM AREAS MAY BE ROTATED if funding is not adequate to make grants in each program area annually.

Please note that there is a separate grant process and grant guidelines if you are interested in applying to our Student Philanthropy Project. ($5000 in Youth Grants) For information please click on:
S. Murray Rust and Mary H. C. Rust Student Philanthropy Project

Funding areas accepting grant applications are posted to the PCF website: www.piedmontcf.org New annual funding availability is posted during the fourth quarter of every year. You may also call the Foundation office (540-687-5223) to check the status of the PCF grant making areas.

Current Grants available: 4th quarter 2008
  • The Frederick L. Spencer, Jr. Memorial Fund: (1) $600 grant restricted to support "music, drama or activities in the area of Culture and Arts."
  • Peter M. Howard Memorial Fund: (1) $600 grant restricted "to support preservation of historic properties and open space". Follow grant guidelines in the area of Environment and Preservation.
  • Community Fund: (1) $500 grant. Follow the grant guidelines in the area of Children and Families.


How to apply

If you have a grant proposal for a “funds available” program area, and meet the eligibility requirements, please follow the procedures listed below.
Please prepare a one-page letter as a Preliminary Application (see below).

The letter must be submitted by the chief executive officer and chairman of the governing board.

Preliminary Application Letters must be submitted by December 31st. (One copy only)


Information to be included in a Preliminary Application:

-The name, address and phone number of the fiscal organization applying
-The name, daytime phone number, and title of the contact person.
-The organization’s mission statement.
-A brief description of the project, why it’s important, anticipated results, and total project budget.
-The amount requested from the Piedmont Community Foundation.
-A copy of the current Internal Revenue Service determination letter confirming your organization’s status as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3), and a public charity or equivalent information if your organization is a public entity.

Application deadlines: Preliminary Applications must be submitted by December 31st. (One copy only.) Faxed and emailed copies of applications are not accepted.

Following submission of your Preliminary Application letter you will be notified whether you are encouraged to submit a full application.
If a full application is invited, you will be sent the necessary application materials.

The Foundation makes grants on an equal opportunity basis adhering to the values and principles enumerated in our nondiscrimination statement.
Grant applicants are required to hold similar standards and provide a written statement documenting their agreement.

Final Applications must be submitted by April 1.

Grant notifications are sent in April.
Grant distributions begin simultaneously.

 

Please submit all preliminary applications and final applications to:

The Piedmont Community Foundation
Mail: P.O. Box 402
Middleburg, VA 20118
Physical Office: 101 N. Jay St., Middleburg, VA


We welcome inquires about the PCF grant making program. Please call, write, or e-mail if you have any questions or need clarification of these guidelines.
540.687.5223
Fax 540.687.8164
Email: kkrei@verizon.net


 

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