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The Greater Mercer Grants Program
Greater Mercer Grants Guidelines The Greater Mercer Grants Program is a competitive program for projects benefiting residents of Mercer County, New Jersey, and the immediately adjoining areas of surrounding counties. Grant applications are accepted twice annually from tax-exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and from neighborhood associations. Grants are awarded three months later. Please check our website www.pacf.org for upcoming grant application deadlines. Applications must be delivered by 5:00 p.m to the Princeton Area Community Foundation, 15 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, or postmarked on or before the proposal deadline. Please do not fax or e-mail applications. What We Fund Addressing the Needs of Low-Income Individuals and Families (Category 1) Grants up to $15,000 are made to nonprofit organizations only. Funds will be awarded to 501(c)3 nonprofits whose applications demonstrate they are capable of helping low-income individuals and/or families. Projects may be directed at one or more areas, such as economic self-sufficiency, education, health, housing, nutrition, safety, supportive services, or youth development, among others. Projects with the greatest potential to make a sustained difference in people’s lives have the best chance of being funded. Community Organizing in Low-Income Neighborhoods (Category 2) Grants of $500 to $20,000 are made to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, neighborhood associations, and groups of residents forming a neighborhood association to work on a project. Projects may address such issues as safety, health, housing, neighborhood improvement and beautification, recreation, and neighborhood-based social opportunities. Priority will be given to projects that bring people together multiple times over an extended period of time. Building Community Within and Among Municipalities (Category 3) Grants generally range from $10,000 to $35,000, but may be as much as $50,000, made to nonprofit organizations only. Money will be awarded to 501(c)3 nonprofits to form community-wide efforts that address a shared problem or take advantage of a shared opportunity, among multiple municipalities or within a single borough, city, or township. The Community Foundation works to increase philanthropy in Greater Mercer County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. Our interest includes helping donors support their favorite issues and nonprofit organizations, as well as helping Mercer-area residents from all walks of life build relationships with each other to address common concerns and take advantage of opportunities that benefit many people. We seek to increase the number and strength of social networks in the region. Research has shown the value of social connections and the ways they motivate people to do things for each other. Communities with strong bonds have higher educational achievement, better performing governments, faster economic growth, less crime, and less violence. People who live in these communities report being happier and healthier, and they enjoy a longer life expectancy. In communities with strong bonds, it is easier to mobilize people to tackle problems and undertake activities that benefit everyone. The Community Foundation identifies projects that develop these social networks and bring them to bear on problems and opportunities in such areas as planning, economic development, civic engagement, service sharing, service delivery, philanthropy, volunteerism, care of the environment, and participatory arts. Projects in these areas are eligible for support. So are activities that bring people together to examine barriers to relating to each other, such as study circles. Ongoing activities, as opposed to one-time events, receive priority. Renewal Funding Current grantees are welcome to submit applications. Organizations that have received prior-year funding, or funding for consecutive years, are not guaranteed continued support for the same project. What We Do Not Fund:
Eligibility Criteria For Nonprofit Organizations Nonprofit organizations that have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible. They must be registered with the State of New Jersey as a charity, unless they are religious organizations, or schools that file their curricula with the Department of Education and are exempt from the provisions of the New Jersey Charitable Registration and Investigation Act. (For more information on New Jersey charitable registration, go to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs web site at www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charhlp.htm.) For Neighborhood Associations Neighborhood associations, and groups of residents who will form a neighborhood association for the purpose of working together on a neighborhood project, may be required to have or to acquire a tax identification number and to have a bank account on behalf of the association into which grant funds can be deposited and managed. Application Restrictions Nonprofits may submit one application per calendar year in each category, for a maximum of three. Neighborhood associations or groups of residents who will form a neighborhood association may apply only once annually for a “Community Organizing in Low-Income Neighborhoods” grant. Non-Discrimination The Community Foundation values projects that promote inclusiveness and that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or any other characteristics protected by law. Selection Criteria for All Categories
Additional Selection Criteria for “Building Community” Grants (Category 3)
Assistance with Preparing Applications The Community Foundation offers Grant Information Sessions at its office, located at 15 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, New Jersey. These sessions walk participants through the grant guidelines and application forms, and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Attendance is not required to apply for a grant. Follow-up Questions and Site Visits Follow-up questions from the Community Foundation and site visits by members of its staff and volunteer Grants Committee are a routine part of the application process. How Grants Are Announced The Community Foundation first notifies all applicants of its decisions by mail, then issues a press release to area media that identifies the organizations and projects awarded grants. Grantees are encouraged to publicize their awards themselves through press releases, newsletters, web sites, and annual reports, and to acknowledge Community Foundation support. Use of Grant Money Grant money must be used exclusively for the purposes and activities specified in the grant application. Grantees should notify the Community Foundation as soon as possible if their needs or circumstances change. Reporting Requirements Grantees are required to submit brief six-month and end-of-grant narrative and budget reports on their projects. The Community Foundation provides reporting forms in advance of the due dates. Applications can be found here. Please do not fax or e-mail applications. 15 Princess Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 tel: 609.219.1800 fax: 609.219.1850 |
