Infrastructure Grants

The CHIditarod Foundation is actively accepting grant applications to support local non-profit organizations dedicated to combating hunger. Their mission is deeply aligned with fostering innovative solutions and strengthening community resources to address food insecurity. The foundation provides two distinct funding opportunities: The CHIditarod Program Development Grant and The CHIditarod Infrastructure Investment Grant, both designed to empower organizations working towards a hunger-free community. The grants target non-profits operating in Northern Illinois that are recognized as 501(c)(3) organizations or have fiscal sponsorship from one. These organizations should be in good standing with the Illinois Secretary of State and registered with the Illinois Attorney General. The ultimate impact goal is to create a more food-secure environment within these communities. The foundation prioritizes programs that focus on a range of critical areas. These include innovative educational opportunities, building strong partnerships with other organizations and policy-relevant leaders engaged in local issues, and initiatives centered around health, nutrition, or creative work on various aspects of food. A key focus is on innovation that addresses challenges related to food access and availability, ensuring that creative and effective solutions are brought to the forefront. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the foundation's strategic priorities implicitly aim for improved food access, enhanced nutritional outcomes, and strengthened community capacity to address hunger. By supporting program development and infrastructure, the CHIditarod Foundation operates on a theory of change that by investing in innovative and collaborative local efforts, significant strides can be made in eradicating hunger and fostering sustainable solutions within Northern Illinois.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is soliciting proposals to reduce whale mortality from fishing gear entanglement in Southern California. This grant directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations by addressing a critical threat to cetacean populations. The program aims to provide compensatory restoration for injuries to cetaceans caused by the Refugio Beach Oil Spill (RBOS), thereby mitigating past environmental damage and fostering healthier marine ecosystems. The primary beneficiaries of this program are cetaceans in Southern California, particularly those susceptible to entanglement in fishing gear. The impact goals are to increase the capacity of the entanglement response network, improve documentation and disentanglement efforts, and broadly support activities that reduce serious injuries or mortalities from entanglements. This initiative contributes to the foundation's strategic priority of healthy oceans and coasts by safeguarding marine mammals. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its goals. These include directly enhancing entanglement response in Southern California, and potentially beyond if it benefits local cetaceans, coordinating with federal, state, and local resource agencies to improve the overall West Coast Marine Mammal Entanglement Response Program, and training and developing volunteer response capacity. Furthermore, proposals should outline how activities will contribute to the development of the overall capacity and infrastructure of the program. Expected outcomes include a more robust and efficient entanglement response network, a reduction in the number of entangled cetaceans, improved survival rates of entangled animals through effective disentanglement, and enhanced coordination among relevant agencies. Measurable results would likely involve metrics such as the number of successful disentanglements, the increase in trained responders, and the documented reduction in entanglement-related mortalities. An estimated $250,000 will be available for a Phase 1 project award, anticipated to last 1-2 years, with a priority geographic focus on the coastlines off Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

The County of Burlington's Affordable Housing Grant Program aims to promote the construction of new, 100 percent affordable housing projects, as well as affordable housing units within mixed-income residential developments. A key objective is also the creation of affordable housing units designed to assist communities in need, including families experiencing homelessness or housing instability and those affected by domestic violence. This program aligns with a mission to address critical housing needs and support vulnerable populations within Burlington County. The program specifically targets experienced affordable housing developers. The ultimate beneficiaries are families experiencing homelessness or housing instability, and individuals responding to incidents of domestic violence, as well as broader communities in need of affordable housing options. The impact goals are centered on increasing the availability of safe, stable, and affordable housing, thereby improving the living conditions and overall well-being of these target groups. The program's priorities and focuses include supporting projects that are eligible for various federal housing programs such as the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF), Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, and several HUD-administered programs (Public Housing Capital Fund, Section 202, Section 811, PBRA). Additionally, projects eligible under the USDA's Multifamily Preservation & Revitalization program are also prioritized. Non-Profit Organizations are specifically eligible to apply, indicating a focus on organizations with a mission-driven approach to community development. The expected outcomes include a significant increase in the number of affordable housing units in Burlington County, directly benefiting the targeted communities. Measurable results would involve tracking the number of new affordable housing projects constructed, the number of affordable units created within mixed-income developments, and the number of individuals and families housed who were previously experiencing homelessness, housing instability, or domestic violence. The strategic priority is to leverage federal housing program eligibility to maximize the impact of local grant funds, thereby enhancing the overall affordable housing landscape in the county. The theory of change suggests that by providing grants to experienced developers, the county can efficiently stimulate the development of much-needed affordable housing, leading to improved community stability and reduced housing insecurity.

The Women's Fund of Porter County, an initiative of the Porter County Community Foundation, provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving women and children within Porter County, Indiana. Its core mission is to foster collective giving and address the critical needs of women and children in the community. This aligns with the Foundation's broader goal of improving lives and strengthening the region through philanthropic efforts. By focusing on programs with positive outcomes for this specific demographic, the Fund ensures its grants directly contribute to the well-being and advancement of a significant portion of the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are women and children residing in Porter County. The primary impact goal is to improve their lives through various programs and initiatives. While the specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the fund emphasizes supporting programs that "demonstrate positive outcomes." This implies an expectation that funded projects will have tangible and observable positive changes in the lives of women and children, such as improved access to resources, enhanced safety, educational attainment, or better health outcomes. The Women's Fund's priorities and focuses are clearly defined by what they will and will not fund. They prioritize projects that directly address issues facing women and/or children. This includes a broad range of potential areas, as long as they contribute to the overarching goal of improving their lives. Conversely, they explicitly exclude scholarship programs (including daycare and program participation fees), annual appeals, membership contributions, event sponsorships, sectarian or religious programs, political organizations, endowment campaigns, debt reduction campaigns, individuals, already completed programs or contracted equipment, and travel for various groups. These exclusions highlight a strategic focus on direct programmatic support over other forms of funding. The foundation's strategic priorities, as indicated by the Women's Fund, center on supporting impactful, well-organized nonprofit organizations that can demonstrate positive outcomes. Their theory of change appears to be that by collectively pooling resources and strategically investing in programs that target the specific needs of women and children, they can create significant, positive, and lasting change within the Porter County community. The eligibility criteria, which require recipient organizations to be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, also speaks to their commitment to working with established and accountable entities to achieve their philanthropic goals.

The Jefferson Foundation provides grants for charitable and educational activities focused on promoting individual and community health and well-being. Their mission is directly aligned with increasing the health and well-being of Jefferson County residents through various initiatives. The grants are designed to support activities in program support, capacity building, and capital projects, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community development and health improvement. The target beneficiaries are residents of Jefferson County, MO, with an emphasis on supporting qualified public charities and government units that serve this population. The overarching impact goal is to enhance the health and well-being of these residents by addressing critical areas such as academic scholarships, basic needs (food, shelter, rent/mortgage, utilities), dental services, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and treatment, and mental health counseling. Other key areas include exercise and healthy lifestyle education, foster care and adoption services, health-related education, homelessness and domestic violence shelters, medical equipment, obesity, physical and mental disabilities, prescription assistance, preventative health care, safe housing, and transportation assistance. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly focused on community health, with a theory of change that by funding targeted programs and services, they can create a healthier and more stable community. They prioritize direct services and support within the county, ensuring that the grants have a tangible impact on the lives of residents. This is evident in their specific grant topics and the geographical restriction to Jefferson County. Expected outcomes include improved access to essential services for residents, increased capacity for local organizations, and the successful implementation of capital projects that serve the community. Measurable results would stem from the effectiveness of programs in addressing the identified grant topics, such as a reduction in drug and alcohol abuse, improved access to dental care, or increased participation in healthy lifestyle education. The foundation's requirement for progress and final grant reports suggests a commitment to tracking these outcomes and ensuring accountability.

The Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program Cooperative Agreements, a joint effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Marketing Services (AMS), and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), aims to bolster the middle-of-the-food-supply-chain and fortify local and regional food systems. The core mission of this program aligns with creating new revenue streams for Michigan producers and enhancing the overall resilience of the food supply chain. MDARD will facilitate this by issuing subawards, primarily in the form of Infrastructure Grants, to businesses operating within the middle of the supply chain. This strategic approach is designed to foster more diverse local and regional market options and generate greater economic opportunities for communities, ultimately allowing them to retain a larger share of the value chain dollar. The RFSI program is specifically targeting agricultural producers or processors, groups of agricultural producers and processors, nonprofit organizations, local government entities, tribal governments, and institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals involved in middle-of-the-supply-chain activities. The overarching impact goals include establishing a robust food systems infrastructure that supports competitive and profitable market access for domestic farm products. Additionally, the program seeks to support the development of value-added products for consumers, promote fair prices and wages, create safe job opportunities that retain profits in rural communities, and increase diversity in processing options across business models, geography, and accessibility for underserved communities. USDA has established clear priorities for RFSI program funding, focusing on Infrastructure Grant activities. These priorities include expanding capacity for processing, aggregation, and distribution of agricultural products to create more and better markets for producers. Modernizing manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems is another key focus, alongside enhancing worker safety through new technologies or investments in equipment and facility improvements. Improving the capacity of entities to comply with federal, state, and local food safety requirements, and improving operations through training opportunities are also critical. The program further prioritizes supporting the construction of new facilities, modernizing or expanding existing facilities, constructing wastewater management structures, modernizing processing and manufacturing equipment, and developing or installing equipment that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases water use efficiency, improves air/water quality, or meets USDA’s climate action goals. Expected outcomes and measurable results from this program include a strengthened and more resilient middle-of-the-food-supply-chain in Michigan, evidenced by increased processing, aggregation, and distribution capacities. The program anticipates creating more diverse local and regional market options, leading to increased economic opportunities and a greater retention of value chain dollars within Michigan communities. Successful proposals will demonstrate an ability to develop value-added products, ensure fair labor practices, and contribute to the diversification of processing options. With Michigan awarded over $10 million, the program offers two types of grants: Equipment Only Grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 for smaller projects and Infrastructure Grants with a maximum award of $475,000 for more substantial investments. The program's strategic priorities and theory of change are rooted in the belief that targeted investments in food systems infrastructure will directly lead to enhanced market access for producers, improved economic vitality for communities, and a more sustainable and equitable food supply chain for Michigan.

The Grow grant program, offered by the Grassroots Fund, is designed to support groups with existing project implementation experience in their communities. The program aligns with the Grassroots Fund's broad interpretation of "environment," funding a wide range of activities focused on local, grassroots work. The mission is to deepen community work by fostering vision development, increasing participation, identifying new stakeholders, and incorporating diverse voices and lived experiences into decision-making processes. Target beneficiaries for the Grow grant program are community-based, local initiatives, specifically those operating in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont. The program emphasizes supporting groups that represent a broad range of community voices and are not currently being reached by other funders. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen community-led efforts and ensure that decision-making processes are inclusive and reflective of various perspectives. The program prioritizes volunteer-driven groups or those with no more than two full-time paid staff (80 hours/week combined) and an approximate annual operating budget under $100,000. These priorities underscore the fund's strategic focus on supporting smaller, community-rooted organizations that may have limited access to other funding sources. The Grassroots Fund's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering local groups to drive community development and foster more equitable and participatory processes. Expected outcomes include communities with further developed visions, reduced barriers to participation, engagement of new stakeholders, and increased integration of diverse voices and lived experiences in core decision-making. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond these outcomes, the emphasis on "deepening their work" and "bringing more voices" suggests qualitative and potentially quantitative shifts in community engagement and project effectiveness. The grant size ranges from $1,000 to $4,000, providing crucial financial support to these initiatives. It's important to note that the fund does not support individuals, national or international work, lobbying, partisan political activity, land/building acquisition, studies without follow-up, publication of books/reports, micro/re-granting programs, or retroactive expenses. This clear outline of what is not supported further defines the strategic priorities of the Grassroots Fund, ensuring that grants are directed towards community-level, action-oriented initiatives that align with their mission of fostering grassroots environmental and social change.

The Bitsie Clark Fund for Artists (The Bitsie Fund), housed at the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, aims to support individual artists in pursuing new work and achieving specific creative and career goals. This aligns with the Foundation's broader mission to foster a thriving community by supporting local talent and development. The fund's focus is on individual artist development, rather than community development, signifying a strategic priority to invest directly in the artistic growth of residents within the Foundation's service area in Greater New Haven. In 2024, The Bitsie Fund will award two $5,000 grants, one specifically for a Black artist and another open to all eligible artists. This targeting reflects a commitment to equitable support within the artistic community and addresses potential disparities. The grant's impact goals are centered on enabling artists to tackle major artistic development goals, take risks on new directions in their work, or advance their careers. The expected outcomes include a more vibrant artistic community with empowered individual artists. The fund prioritizes individual artists at a significant point in their personal development, encouraging both established artists with a substantial body of recent work and those emerging in their field to apply. This inclusive approach to eligibility ensures a broad reach within the artist community. The focus is on supporting a wide array of creative disciplines including dance, music, theater, visual arts, design, craft, literary arts, voice, poetry, playwriting, composition, and film. Measurable results would be evidenced by artists successfully utilizing the funds for approved uses such as purchasing materials, compensating for time spent developing projects, hiring others, covering performance or touring costs, travel for proposals, renting studio space, and production expenses. Ultimately, the Bitsie Fund's theory of change posits that by directly supporting individual artists in these ways, it will contribute to their personal and professional growth, thereby enriching the cultural landscape of Greater New Haven.

The City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development (DPD) offers grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing projects. This initiative aligns with the city's broader mission to strengthen local business corridors and enhance neighborhood vitality, particularly through the Chicago Recovery Plan. The program aims to invest in catalytic developments that build upon DPD's existing investments, supporting a resilient and thriving urban environment. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include community developers, business owners, entrepreneurs, and property owners within Chicago. While applicants from all areas of Chicago are eligible, priority is given to projects located in historically disinvested areas or those with limited private investment. The impact goals are to foster economic growth, enhance community safety initiatives, and leverage local talents, capacities, and institutions to contribute to neighborhood strength. The program prioritizes capital improvement projects, including pre-development, construction, or renovation costs. Mixed-use projects are eligible, though residential-only developments are not. A key focus is on catalytic projects that demonstrate a strong local impact and have clear momentum, with an expectation to break ground within six months of grant acceptance. Site control is preferred but not strictly required. Expected outcomes include the successful completion of vital community projects, increased economic activity in targeted areas, and the creation of more vibrant and resilient neighborhoods. Measurable results would involve the number of projects funded, the scale of investment leveraged, and the tangible improvements in business corridors and community infrastructure. The city's strategic priority is to address historical disinvestment and ensure equitable development across Chicago, utilizing funding sources such as the Chicago Recovery Plan Community Development (Large Grants), Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (Large Grants), and Tax Increment Financing to achieve these goals.

The Bunbury Fund, supported by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, aims to bolster the capacity of non-profit organizations in central New Jersey, particularly Mercer County, enabling them to effectively pursue their missions and achieve sustainable organizational maturity. The foundation's core mission revolves around "capacity building," which is defined as work that enhances an organization's ability to deliver its mission with increased confidence. This strategic alignment ensures that grants directly contribute to the long-term effectiveness and stability of recipient organizations. The fund targets non-profit organizations that operate and provide services within the geographic region covered by the Princeton Area Community Foundation. This includes Mercer County, Eastern Bucks County (PA), Northern Burlington County (NJ), Southern Hunterdon County (NJ), Southern Middlesex County (NJ), and Southern Somerset County (NJ). The primary impact goal is to strengthen the ability of these non-profits to "do their best work" by empowering them with the necessary resources and strategies. The fund encourages projects that prioritize anti-racism strategies and embed racial equity at the core of their work, signifying a commitment to inclusive and equitable community development. The Bunbury Fund offers various grant types with specific focuses. One-year capacity-building grants, up to $50,000, support areas such as board governance, leadership succession planning, strategic partnerships, scenario planning, systems upgrades, racial equity and inclusion practices, human resources, and technology improvements. Multi-year capacity-building grants, up to $150,000 over three years, are designed for comprehensive, phased projects that require extended development for organizational effectiveness. Additionally, planning grants of up to $10,000 are available to help organizations evaluate the resources needed for more extensive capacity-building initiatives, acting as an initial step in assessing viability. The expected outcomes include enhanced organizational effectiveness, improved service delivery, and a greater ability for non-profits to achieve their missions with confidence. Measurable results would stem from the specific capacity-building areas addressed by the grants, such as improved governance structures, stronger leadership, more efficient systems, and the successful implementation of racial equity strategies. The foundation's strategic priority is to empower non-profits through capacity building, operating on the theory of change that by strengthening the internal capabilities of these organizations, they will be better equipped to serve their communities and create lasting, positive impact, particularly through the lens of racial equity.

The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa has established the Women's Fund Grant Program with the mission to support organizations and programs that benefit women and girls in Black Hawk County. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's broader goal of fostering long-term change and addressing critical issues within the community. The grant specifically targets issues that lead to systemic change for women and girls, aiming to create lasting positive impacts rather than just providing short-term aid. The primary beneficiaries of this program are women and girls residing in Black Hawk County, Iowa. The grant seeks to achieve significant impact by focusing on several key areas. These include enhancing leadership, cognitive, and knowledge skills through education and literacy programs; identifying and addressing healthcare issues specific to women and girls, encompassing mental, emotional, and physical health; providing concrete assistance for women and girls dealing with poverty and homelessness to help them secure housing and move out of poverty; and focusing on the safety of women and girls through violence prevention efforts in homes, schools, and communities. The Women's Fund Committee prioritizes grant requests based on several criteria to maximize its strategic impact. Top priority is given to requests that address barriers to racial equity and work to reverse systems of racism for women and girls in Black Hawk County. Additionally, the committee favors requests that address critical and urgent needs with solution-based approaches, demonstrate effective programming with significant direct impact, show innovative approaches to advancing women's and girls' growth and success, and leverage other funding or community support to amplify the grant's reach. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantitative targets within the provided text, the focus areas and funding priorities imply a commitment to creating tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls. The "long-term change" emphasis suggests a strategic theory of change centered on addressing root causes of inequality and vulnerability. By funding initiatives in education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and safety, the foundation aims to empower women and girls, improve their overall well-being, and contribute to a more equitable and supportive community environment in Black Hawk County.

The EPA South Florida Program provides competitive grants to address the immediate and emerging ecological pressures and threats to south Florida waters including fresh waters, estuaries, bays, and coral reef, central to south Floridas economic and ecological wellbeing. Aquatic ecosystems play a vital role supporting healthy and resilient estuaries, coastal, inland, and near-shore infrastructure by providing food, habitat, nutrient removal, water filtration, storm attenuation, carbon storage, shoreline stabilization, and other financial and tangible benefits.This NOFO solicits applications for the South Florida Program region that includes the 16-county area covered by the South Florida Water Management District as well as the Florida Keys, Florida Reef Tract, Caloosahatchee Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie Estuary, Florida Bay, and Biscayne Bay. Please refer to the map located in Appendix D of the NOFO.This NOFO supports the Special Studies/Research component for the South Florida Program. Special Studies are projects that provide information specific to management questions and concerns, inform policy, and provide understanding of south Florida aquatic ecosystems. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: supporting monitoring, research, or innovative restoration efforts for key species (e.g. coral, seagrass, sponges, mangroves, etc); research, investigation, and demonstration projects to mitigate harmful algal blooms; residential canal pollution reduction demonstration projects; innovative stormwater pollution reduction demonstration projects; water quality and benthic habitat monitoring; research and management strategies to address contaminants of emerging concern; identifying and understanding cause-effect relationships of pollutants in the environment; addressing specific management questions to protect sensitive ecosystems; applying innovative approaches, methods, or techniques to prevent, treat, and manage pollution from entering waterbodies; and investigating regional water quality impacts from pollution sources.

The Monmouth County Municipal Park Improvement Grant Program is designed to assist municipalities by providing additional funding for park improvements in municipal parks and open spaces. This program aligns with the broader mission of enhancing community well-being and access to recreational opportunities. Previously, the Municipal Open Space Grant Program was limited to $2 million annually and up to $250,000 per project. The new and expanded grant program is now funded at $6 million a year, with up to $500,000 available per project, significantly increasing its reach and potential impact. The program's scope has also expanded to include dredging projects for parks and recreation purposes, and the application process has been simplified and streamlined to encourage broader participation. The target beneficiaries of this program are Monmouth County municipalities, which are the only eligible applicants. While municipalities are the direct recipients, the ultimate beneficiaries are the residents and communities who will gain access to improved park facilities and recreational areas. The impact goals are centered around improving land for parks and recreation purposes. This includes the development of new recreational facilities, the expansion or enhancement of existing recreational opportunities, the preservation of historic resources within parks, and the implementation of new or innovative approaches to provide local access to open spaces and recreational activities. The program prioritizes projects that focus on these key areas. Additional priority is given to State-designated Urban Aid Communities and Overburdened Communities, ensuring that resources are directed to areas with the greatest need. The program’s strategic approach includes setting limits on the number of applications and the dollars awarded to ensure that funding can support a larger number of municipalities rather than a few large projects. This also encourages a cooperative project model, with a required local contribution and local funding of ineligible expenses serving as a tangible demonstration of local commitment. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an increase in the number and quality of recreational facilities, expanded access to open spaces, and better preservation of historic resources within parks. The allowance for dredging projects directly contributes to improving and expanding access to recreational bodies of water. All projects must be for park, recreation, open space, and historic preservation purposes, with a deed of open space easement or other covenant restricting the use of the project site to these purposes required as a condition of the award. This ensures the long-term dedication of these sites to public benefit, reflecting a theory of change that by investing in local park infrastructure, communities will see improved quality of life, increased public health through active recreation, and enhanced environmental and cultural stewardship.

The Hampton Roads Community Foundation is offering Community Grants for Health & Wellness to enhance the health of the region's residents. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to improve community well-being by addressing critical health disparities. The program focuses on the understanding that various factors, including genetics, education, individual behavior, environment, and access to quality healthcare, contribute to a person's overall health and wellness. The foundation's strategic approach is to support programs that tackle these multifaceted challenges, particularly for under-resourced populations. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are residents of South Hampton Roads, including specific counties and cities within Virginia, who face health disparities and challenges in accessing quality healthcare. The program targets individuals in Chesapeake, the Eastern Shore of Virginia (Accomack and Northampton counties), Franklin, Isle of Wight County, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach. The impact goal is to improve the health status of these populations by increasing access to essential health services and promoting healthy behaviors. The program prioritizes efforts that support participant access to primary, dental, and/or mental/behavioral health services, including substance/drug abuse treatment. A significant focus is also placed on sustained programs that encourage healthy behaviors known to reduce chronic diseases such as Type II diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease, especially in populations with high rates of health disparity. Preference will be given to programs that emphasize improving participants' health literacy, indicating a strategic focus on empowering individuals with knowledge to make informed health decisions. Expected outcomes include individuals with health disparities connecting with a medical home and receiving care/treatment that leads to an improved health status. For oral care programs, the outcome is that individuals complete a dental treatment plan. Improved behavioral health needs or conditions of clients are also a key outcome. Measurable results will include participants increasing their knowledge of chronic disease conditions and exhibiting healthy behaviors that lead to improved health, thereby contributing to the foundation's broader theory of change which posits that increased access, education, and behavioral changes will lead to a healthier community.

The Bliss, Gross, Horowitz Fund, established at the Rhode Island Foundation, is dedicated to supporting charitable Jewish community organizations that serve the greater Providence area. This fund aligns with the foundation's broader mission to enhance community well-being by specifically addressing the needs and fostering the culture of the Jewish community within the region. The grant program's overview emphasizes a commitment to strengthening Jewish life while also promoting connections and understanding with the wider Rhode Island population. The target beneficiaries for this grant are primarily Jewish community organizations located in and serving the greater Providence area, with an overarching goal to impact both the Jewish community and all Rhode Islanders. Impact goals include fostering connections between the Jewish community and other Rhode Islanders, deepening understanding of Jewish life and culture, providing essential human needs, and supporting the organizational development of Jewish institutions. Projects must be non-sectarian and reach beyond an institution's core constituency, highlighting a focus on broad community benefit. The program prioritizes projects that develop connections between the Jewish community and all Rhode Islanders through community service, those that deepen understanding of Jewish life and culture through scholarship and historic preservation, initiatives that provide basic human needs (food, clothing, housing, prescription assistance), and efforts supporting organizational development such as strategic planning, board development, and program evaluation. Capacity building requests require a scope of work. Capital requests are explicitly not considered, focusing resources on programmatic and organizational development. Expected outcomes include clearly stated goals, objectives, and measurable results from funded proposals. The foundation anticipates that successful organizations will demonstrate the capacity to implement their proposals effectively and outline clear sustainability plans. Ultimately, the grants aim to result in stronger Jewish institutions, increased community understanding, improved provision of basic human needs, and more vibrant connections between the Jewish community and the broader Rhode Island population. The foundation's strategic priorities for this fund revolve around fostering community connections, preserving cultural heritage, addressing fundamental human needs, and enhancing the operational capabilities of Jewish organizations. Its theory of change appears to be that by investing in these key areas, it can strengthen the Jewish community in Providence, facilitate greater integration and understanding with the wider population, and ensure the long-term vitality and impact of Jewish institutions in the region. The emphasis on non-sectarian projects that reach beyond a core constituency further underscores a commitment to inclusive community building.

The Kenneth A. Scott Charitable Trust's grant program aims to enhance the quality of life for companion animals and native wildlife. This mission aligns with the foundation's core belief in supporting innovative projects that go beyond basic care, providing long-term benefits for animals today and in the future. The trust focuses on helping organizations deliver an enhanced quality of life for homeless and abused companion animals. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include homeless and abused companion animals, native wildlife, and owned companion animals in under-resourced urban/rural areas or those owned by socially vulnerable populations. Impact goals include increasing successful adoptions, improving staff and volunteer care delivery, promoting humane education, enhancing access to medical care, and controlling pet and feral animal populations through spay/neuter initiatives. The program prioritizes several key areas: animal adoption, behavior training, and fostering; continuing education and training for staff and volunteers; humane and wildlife education; medical care, rehabilitation, and wellness care for animals; pet and feral animal population control through spay/neuter; equipment directly benefiting animals; and other animal care initiatives that celebrate the human-animal bond. Preferred projects include non-capital means of expanding shelter capacity, opportunities for staff and volunteer development, school and community programs addressing humane care, and assistance for owned pets from under-resourced households. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased successful adoptions, improved delivery of care by staff and volunteers, enhanced community understanding of animal welfare, better access to medical care for vulnerable animal populations, and a reduction in unwanted pet populations. The foundation's strategic priorities are centered on supporting initiatives that lead to a high quality of life for individual animals and significant improvements for large numbers of animals. Their theory of change is that by funding innovative projects and supporting eligible organizations, they can foster better humane care, improve animal well-being, and address critical issues such as overpopulation and lack of access to care, ultimately creating a more compassionate environment for animals.

This grant provides matching funds to commercial property owners and businesses in specific zoning districts of Libertyville, Illinois, to improve the appearance and condition of their buildings and sites.

The Community Wildfire Risk Reduction for the Built Environment grant, offered by the Oregon State Fire Marshal, aims to enhance wildfire defensible space across Oregon. This initiative is designed to fund wildfire mitigation projects undertaken by structural fire protection agencies, counties, and cities. The overarching goal is to increase the safety and resilience of communities against wildfire threats within the built environment. The grant prioritizes projects that focus on two main categories: Defensible Space Projects and Community Protection Projects. Defensible Space Projects target wildfire mitigation and protection within 100 feet of buildings, allocating approximately 70% of available funds. Examples include incentive programs for private landowners, direct contracts for fire-resistant landscaping around various buildings, and community cleanup or chipper programs. Community Protection Projects extend beyond the immediate vicinity of critical infrastructure to create community-wide fire breaks and other mitigation efforts, such as fuel mitigation on municipal or county properties and the creation of greenways. The target beneficiaries of this grant are structural fire protection agencies, counties, and cities within Oregon, which will then implement projects benefiting private landowners, residents, and the broader community by increasing their protection from wildfires. The grant seeks to achieve measurable outcomes, including a reduction in wildfire risk, an increase in defensible space around buildings, and the establishment of community-wide fire breaks. Projects are expected to directly contribute to enhanced wildfire safety and community resilience. Eligible costs include plant and tree fuel reduction, equipment like chippers, and contractors or non-profit organizations for wildfire fuel reduction and defensible space work. Education, communication, and outreach directly supporting the projects are also allowable, along with a limited allocation for project coordination and indirect costs. The Oregon State Fire Marshal's grant program will prioritize applications based on fire-risk, social vulnerability index, and the clarity of the proposed project, ensuring that funding is directed to areas where it can have the most significant impact.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is offering a grant program aimed at supporting the construction of affordable housing near transit. This initiative aligns with the department's mission of building communities and addressing housing needs within the state. The program makes $12.5 million in state funds available through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) issued by the Multifamily Housing Unit (MHU). The program's evolution, particularly with changes from the 2024 Legislature, underscores a strategic adaptation to expand eligibility and ensure more projects can benefit from the funding. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are applicants involved in affordable housing projects, specifically those that applied to certain past funding rounds (HFU-2021-02, HFU-2021.05, HFU-2021-06, MHU-2022-02, MHU-2022-04, MHU-2023-01, MHU-2023-02, MHU-2023-03). The impact goal is to increase the availability of affordable housing, particularly in transit-oriented development (TOD) areas. The initial allocation strategy involved Cohort 1 for streamlined applications to "lookback" projects and Cohort 2 for supplemental applications from eligible 2023 applicants. A key priority and focus of this grant program is to fund projects that contribute to affordable housing near transit. Legislative changes in 2024 further refined these priorities by reducing the minimum number of units required and expanding the definition of TOD, thereby broadening the scope of eligible projects. This strategic shift demonstrates the department's commitment to making the grant more accessible and effective in addressing the state's housing challenges. The NOFA is specifically released for Cohort 1 and 2 applicants, indicating a targeted approach to support existing projects or those with prior engagement with the department's funding rounds. The expected outcomes of this grant program include the successful construction or development of affordable housing units near transit hubs across Washington State. Measurable results would involve the number of projects funded, the total number of affordable housing units created or preserved, and the geographic distribution of these projects. The maximum TOD award per project is $5 million, which provides significant financial support to achieve these outcomes. The department's theory of change appears to be that by strategically investing in affordable housing near transit, they can foster more sustainable and accessible communities, reduce commuting burdens, and enhance the quality of life for residents.

The Denver Business Journal's 2024 Fast 50 Awards program aims to recognize and celebrate the fastest-growing private companies in the Denver metropolitan region. This initiative aligns with the implicit mission of the Denver Business Journal to support and highlight local business success, fostering economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit within the community. The awards serve as a platform to honor companies that demonstrate significant financial achievement and contribute to the region's vibrant business landscape. The primary target beneficiaries of this awards program are privately held, for-profit companies headquartered in the 7-county metro Denver region (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, or Jefferson counties). The program's impact goal is to publicly acknowledge and reward these companies for their substantial revenue growth, thereby inspiring continued economic development and providing valuable recognition that can enhance their market presence and attract further investment or talent. The program's core focus and priority is to identify companies based on their percentage of growth in annual revenue over the past three fiscal years (2021 to 2023). Specific eligibility criteria include having a 3-year financial history with revenue gains from 2022 to 2023, an average of at least $1 million in revenue during the three most recent years, and no less than $200,000 in revenue in 2021. Companies must also be independently owned without a parent company and approve the publishing of their financial information. The expected outcomes of the Fast 50 Awards include increased visibility for the recognized companies, enhanced local business pride, and a benchmark for other businesses striving for growth. Measurable results will be the publication of the "Fast 50" list in a special section of the Denver Business Journal on October 20, 2023, and a special awards celebration on October 24, 2024, where finalists and winners will be honored. The verification of reported gross revenues by an independent accounting firm ensures the credibility and accuracy of these results. While the Denver Business Journal's strategic priorities are not explicitly detailed as a "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change," it can be inferred that their strategy revolves around promoting local commerce, offering valuable insights, and creating networking opportunities for the business community. The Fast 50 Awards program serves as a key mechanism within this strategy, operating on the theory that publicly celebrating business success will stimulate further economic activity and engagement within the Denver metro area. The requirement for a C-level executive to attend the event on October 24, 2024, further emphasizes the importance of executive-level participation and recognition.