Community Grants

The CFMC Community Grants program is offered by the Community Foundation of Monroe County, a private philanthropic organization founded in 1978 to address unmet local needs. The foundation describes its role as connecting generous donors with local causes and serving as a steward of community resources through more than 100 funds. Its stated values include stewardship, local impact, partnerships, inclusion, and legacy, and its work focuses on helping Monroe County remain a place where everyone can thrive. The grant program supports local nonprofit organizations whose projects improve quality of life in Monroe County. The 2026 cycle is described as a competitive opportunity offering grants of up to $5,000. The program is supported by multiple donor-advised and field-of-interest funds, which indicates that award recommendations may draw from several charitable funds aligned with community priorities. Projects may focus on youth and seniors, preserving history and landmarks, protecting the environment, and strengthening community well-being. The source also describes the foundation’s broader community priorities as including education, health, poverty, and community development. No specific prohibited costs, indirect cost limits, match requirements, or detailed allowable cost rules are provided in the source material. Eligibility is described for local nonprofits. Based on the provided language, applicants should be nonprofit organizations serving Monroe County. The source does not provide details about fiscal sponsorship, faith-based eligibility, 501(c)(3) requirements, exclusions for political or sectarian activity, organizational size requirements, or whether organizations outside Monroe County may apply if the project benefits Monroe County. For 2026, the foundation has transitioned to an online grant portal. Applicants are invited to create an organizational profile to simplify the application process and manage grant reporting in one place. The source does not list required application attachments, narrative questions, budget forms, board materials, letters of support, or other required documentation. Applications for the 2026 grant cycle are accepted from March 1, 2026 through June 15, 2026. Grant recommendations are reviewed by a distribution committee made up of local community members who bring lived experience and local insight to the decision-making process. The source does not provide award notification timing, performance period, named contacts, email addresses, phone numbers, pre-application requirements, or recurrence details beyond identifying the 2026 grant cycle.

Align the project with improving quality of life in Monroe County and clearly connect it to stated priorities such as youth and seniors, history and landmarks, environment, or community well-being. Emphasize local impact because recommendations are reviewed by community members with local insight.