Grants for Nonprofits - Private

The RSI Foundation Grant Program, administered through the Community Foundation of New Jersey, is designed to carry forward a long-standing tradition of community investment established by RSI Bank prior to its 2022 merger with Columbia Bank. This grantmaking initiative reflects a deep commitment to the communities historically served by RSI Bank and operates in close coordination with Columbia Bank Foundation and other philanthropic partners. Together, these aligned entities ensure that funding is directed toward initiatives that produce measurable, meaningful, and localized impact. The program’s philanthropic mission emphasizes community resilience, equity, and the strengthening of neighborhood well-being. The Foundation’s strategic priorities are concentrated in two central focus areas. First, it seeks to partner with and uplift marginalized populations—those who face barriers to meeting their basic needs due to economic, physical, mental, or social constraints. Second, it aims to improve neighborhood quality of life by supporting initiatives that foster health, happiness, and holistic well-being for community members. This dual focus reflects the Foundation’s theory of change: when communities address the unmet needs of their most vulnerable populations while simultaneously enhancing the shared community environment, they cultivate stronger, more equitable, and more resilient neighborhoods. The program’s target beneficiaries include both organizations working directly with individuals experiencing various forms of marginalization and initiatives that aim to strengthen community infrastructure and quality of life. The Foundation is particularly focused on funding work that delivers measurable benefits in Rahway, New Jersey, and surrounding communities within Union and Middlesex Counties. Projects supported through this grant must demonstrate direct relevance to these geographic and thematic priorities, ensuring that every dollar invested contributes to tangible improvements in local well-being and community vitality. To achieve its intended impact, the RSI Foundation employs clear and rigorous evaluation criteria for applicants. Organizations must identify and address a specific community need, present achievable and well-structured programs with defined goals, timelines, and budgets, and demonstrate a capacity to produce measurable outcomes. Grant amounts typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, with the total annual program budget between $10,000 and $100,000. This funding structure allows the Foundation to support both smaller grassroots initiatives and larger community-serving projects, maximizing the breadth of its local impact. Expected outcomes from funded initiatives include increased access to essential resources for marginalized populations, improved community health and wellness indicators, and strengthened neighborhood infrastructure and cohesion. By emphasizing measurable results and sustainable change, the RSI Foundation seeks to ensure that its grant investments translate into lasting benefits for the communities it serves. These outcomes align with the Foundation’s overarching goal of fostering neighborhoods that are not only more equitable but also more capable of thriving in the long term. Ultimately, the RSI Foundation Grant Program exemplifies place-based philanthropy rooted in community trust and strategic collaboration. By focusing on marginalized populations and community well-being, and by holding grantees accountable for clear and measurable outcomes, the Foundation positions itself as a catalyst for sustainable, locally driven change. This approach ensures that the legacy of RSI Bank continues as a living, evolving force for good—enriching communities, empowering organizations, and building more resilient futures for the residents of Rahway and its neighboring areas.

The Emerging Philanthropist Program (EPP) by The Foundation for Enhancing Communities aims to engage Central Pennsylvania's emerging business and community leaders in philanthropic endeavors within Harrisburg. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering a new generation of philanthropists, providing resources and educational opportunities to developing leaders who are actively engaged in giving back to their community. The target beneficiaries are Harrisburg's developing leaders and the community organizations they support. The impact goal is to strengthen the philanthropic ecosystem in Harrisburg by empowering these emerging leaders to contribute meaningfully. EPP focuses on providing a $5,000 grant to a chosen organization, emphasizing that it will not fund 100% of any project, thus encouraging diverse funding sources and collaborative efforts. Priorities for funding include projects that can take place between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, and demonstrate a clear benefit to the Harrisburg community. The program explicitly outlines what cannot be funded, such as advertising, capital campaigns, direct lobbying, individuals, national/statewide umbrella organizations without local presence, new staff positions without sustainability plans, religious organizations for religious purposes, and retroactive projects. This focus ensures that the grant supports local, impactful, and sustainable initiatives. The expected outcome is the successful implementation of a community project by a chosen organization, supported by the $5,000 grant. Measurable results would include the project's completion within the grant year and its tangible benefits to the Harrisburg community, as well as the continued engagement and development of the emerging philanthropists involved in the program. While the foundation's broader strategic priorities and theory of change are not explicitly detailed, the EPP exemplifies a strategy of cultivating local leadership and investment to enhance community well-being and build a robust philanthropic future.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions for projects that enhance humanities education for K-12 teachers in Oklahoma public schools.

This grant provides funding to organizations that support children and young people by addressing their basic needs, promoting health care access, and fostering community support, with a focus on prevention and early intervention.

The Community Foundation of Frederick County is offering grants to support agriculture in Frederick County, Maryland. These grants are specifically for nonprofit organizations that provide agriculture education, support the renovation, construction, and/or maintenance of buildings promoting agricultural activities, and/or promote agriculture as an industry and way of life. This aligns with the Foundation's mission to foster community well-being by investing in local initiatives. The available funding for this grant cycle totals $45,000, with individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $100,000. The target beneficiaries for this program include existing nonprofit 501c3 organizations, existing government/quasi-governmental agencies applying for extraordinary projects not funded by tax revenue, faith-based organizations requesting funding for non-sectarian activities, and civic groups that are not 501c3 organizations requesting funding for a community cause. The impact goals are to strengthen agricultural education, improve infrastructure for agricultural activities, and elevate the profile of agriculture within the community. The program prioritizes initiatives that directly contribute to the vitality of the agricultural sector in Frederick County. This includes educational programs that inform the public about agriculture, projects that enhance facilities used for agricultural promotion, and efforts to celebrate and sustain agriculture as a core industry and lifestyle. The expected outcomes are an increase in agricultural literacy, improved resources for agricultural activities, and a stronger community appreciation for the agricultural sector. While specific measurable results are not detailed, successful projects would likely demonstrate an increase in participation in agricultural education programs, an improvement in the condition or accessibility of agricultural facilities, and enhanced public engagement with agricultural events and initiatives. The Foundation's strategic priorities, as evidenced by this grant, include supporting local economic drivers and cultural heritage. By investing in agriculture, the Foundation operates on a theory of change that by strengthening key community pillars, overall community health and prosperity are enhanced. This grant specifically aims to contribute to a thriving agricultural community, which in turn supports local businesses, preserves local heritage, and provides educational opportunities for residents.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities for youth summer programs that promote education and social interaction, or for senior citizen programs that encourage entertainment and cognitive engagement in the Lockwood area.

Lake Shore Savings Bank invites applications biannually for projects and programs that offer innovative and efficient solutions to community needs, with an emphasis on supporting underserved citizens and testing new approaches to community problem-solving. Special projects by educational or religious institutions that benefit the wider community will be considered. Organizations must demonstrate fiscal responsibility, management capability, and the ability to deliver the proposed services or programs. Eligibility is limited to organizations benefiting Chautauqua and Erie County, New York. Notifications and payments following in July and January, respectively. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Spring deadline: June 1st

The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation's 2024 Legacy Grant program is designed to honor Mrs. Sewall's enduring interests and philanthropic legacy. The foundation's mission alignment is rooted in supporting a select group of organizations with whom Mrs. Sewall had personal relationships and affinity, and who continue to advance the work she funded during her lifetime. This reflects a strategic priority to sustain and perpetuate the impact of her personal philanthropy, acting as a direct extension of her lifelong commitment. The primary target beneficiaries for this grant are organizations that align with Mrs. Sewall's historical funding priorities. These include 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt organizations, public schools, public agencies working for the State of Maine, and Indian tribal governments (and their political subdivisions) recognized by the Department of the Interior. The impact goal is to ensure the continued vitality and effectiveness of these established partnerships, allowing them to further their work in areas important to Mrs. Sewall. The program's priorities and focuses are centered on maintaining the integrity of Mrs. Sewall's philanthropic vision. The grant specifically seeks to support organizations that demonstrate a continued commitment to the types of initiatives she championed. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the continuation of existing work, the expected outcomes revolve around sustaining the impact of these organizations over the grant duration, which can be 12, 24, or 36 months. The theory of change implicit in this program is that by providing consistent, multi-year funding to trusted partners, the foundation can ensure the long-term success and stability of programs that align with its founder's values. The foundation's strategic priorities are to honor its founder's legacy by supporting organizations that were meaningful to her, ensuring that her lifetime of philanthropy continues to resonate within the community. The Legacy Grant embodies this by providing stable support, allowing these organizations to focus on their core missions. This approach emphasizes continuity and relationship-building as key drivers for achieving sustained impact and honoring the philanthropic vision of Elmina B. Sewall.

The Louise R. Lester Foundation aims to foster positive change within communities and improve the lives of individuals through its philanthropic endeavors. The Foundation's mission is directly aligned with supporting nonprofit religious, scientific, literary, humanitarian, or educational organizations, serving as a critical resource for areas of need that are not adequately addressed by existing local charitable communities. This strategic alignment ensures that the Foundation's grants directly contribute to its overarching goal of effecting meaningful societal improvement. The primary beneficiaries of the Foundation's grants are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that fall within its specified areas of support. The Foundation explicitly states that it does not provide financial assistance to individuals, sports teams/events, or political candidates/organizations. The impact goal is to provide resources to underserved areas, thereby strengthening the capacity of nonprofit organizations to deliver essential services and programs. The Foundation's priorities and focus areas are geographically centered, specifically targeting the Roanoke Valley area of Virginia, the greater Henry County area of Virginia, and the Smith Mountain Lake region of Virginia. Other areas may be considered at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Beyond geography, the Foundation is keen on supporting organizations that demonstrate sound financial planning and solid management practices. This indicates a strategic priority on organizational sustainability and responsible stewardship of funds, reflecting a theory of change that effective management leads to greater impact. Expected outcomes include the enhancement of services provided by nonprofit organizations in the specified regions and the addressing of critical community needs. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided text, the emphasis on sound financial planning and management implies an expectation of efficient and impactful use of funds. The Foundation's strategic priorities are rooted in addressing unmet needs and supporting well-managed organizations, with the understanding that such support will lead to positive and lasting community improvements. The Foundation operates with the understanding that its limited funds mean not all requests can be fulfilled, emphasizing the competitive nature and the high standards for selection based on merit and alignment with its mission and priorities.

With major support from Toyota Motor North America, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is excited to announce $200,000 in grant funding to support shovel-ready pollinator habitat enhancement projects on America’s Public Lands. Habitat enhancement projects should directly support the creation, restoration, remediation, improvement, and/or protection of habitats for important pollinator species such as butterflies, bees, bats, and more. The project should directly impact pollinators on at least 200 acres of public land. Additionally, projects should incorporate community outreach and engagement activities designed to educate and empower the public to help enhance pollinator habitats. Applicants can request a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $100,000 to be spent over a one-year period. Funding Priorities Habitat Enhancement Projects: Projects must implement on-the-ground activities designed to increase the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitats. Applicants must define a step-by-step plan including site preparation, size of the project area, and description of target pollinator(s). Due to the time needed for large-scale habitat restoration projects, NEEF will consider proposals that are already underway or that propose a distinct piece of an existing restoration project. Conservation and habitat restoration activities should be varied and science-based. If preparing a proposal that includes collecting seeds or cultivating native seedlings, applicants should describe the intended use of the seed or seedlings, and it should only represent one piece of the project. For new projects, they must be shovel-ready, meaning ready to implement the proposed project within 3 months of the award date. Community Engagement: All project proposals must provide opportunities for public engagement through education- or volunteer-focused events. Projects should aim to collaborate with a diverse group of community partners to achieve engagement and educational outcomes. Grantees will be required to report on the number of events implemented and the number of participants engaged during the grant period. Priority will be given to proposals that serve underrepresented audiences in the outdoors with an emphasis on serving communities marked disadvantaged by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool. Project Metrics To better gauge progress on individual grants and to ensure greater consistency of project data provided by multiple grantees, NEEF has provided a list of project metrics. All applicants must commit to collecting and reporting on key project metrics listed below. Acres Enhanced: Number of Acres Number of Acres Monarch Habitat Number of Individual Project Work Sites Monitored or Improved Biodiversity Enhanced: Number of Pollinator Species Promoted Number of Imperiled Species Protected Number of Native Plant Species Installed Number of Milkweed Plants Installed Community Members Engaged: Number of Individuals Engaged in Volunteer Activities Number of Individuals Engaged in Outreach Activities Number of Landowners Engaged Number of Toyota Employees Engaged Number of Individuals Directly Engaged from Underserved Communities View more detail about these metrics with our Biodiversity Grant Metrics Info-sheet. Application Process and Timeline The grant competition will be a two-part process. Those interested in applying must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) in the form of an online application. NEEF will then select and invite a small number of finalists to submit a full application for review. From that pool, NEEF will then choose its grantees. The timeline is as follows: LOI opens: February 1, 2024 LOI deadline: March 1, 2024, by 11:59 PM PST Finalists invited to submit Application: April 1, 2024 Application due: May 1, 2024, by 11:59 PM PST Grants awarded: June 10, 2024 Grant period: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025 Reporting deadlines: December 31, 2024 July 15, 2025 Eligibility Open to non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, state or federal government agencies, federally recognized tribes and local governments, and educational institutions.* Projects must be on public lands defined as any local, state, or federal government- or nonprofit-owned land that is accessible to the public for recreational use on a regular basis. Private for-profit firms and individuals are not eligible to apply. Grant funding may not be used to support political advocacy, fundraising, lobbying, litigation, terrorist activities, or Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations. NEEF will select one project out of the two to four finalists awarded who are within an hour’s drive of one of the following communities near Toyota Motor North America manufacturing and corporate sites: Long Beach, CA, Henderson, NV, Chandler, AZ, San Antonio, TX, Plano, TX, Troy, MO, Tupelo, MS, Huntsville, AL, Alpharetta, GA, Greensboro, NC, Georgetown, KY, Jackson, TN, Buffalo, WV, Evansville, IN, and Ann Arbor, MI. Projects across the country not within those markets are eligible for the remaining awards and are encouraged to apply. Must meet the funding criteria (below). Please visit our FAQ page for more eligibility information. * One organization can submit more than one LOI. LOI Criteria Number of acres impacted directly. Impacted acreage must have a direct conservation activity proposed including but not limited to invasive species removal, planting, seed drilling, prescribed burn, etc. Ecosystem services to nearby plots should not be included in the tally. Projects may be on separate plots of land to meet the 200-acre minimum, but the plots should be within the same migratory pathway and ideally within several miles of each other. Describe the conservation activities planned to improve the proposed acreage. Describe how the habitat enhancement project will benefit pollinator species and which pollinator species are expected to be impacted. Proposed projects must be technically sound and apply the best available science and accepted best management practices for enhancement of pollinator habitats and species specific to their ecological region. Briefly describe the applicants’ and/or partners’ expertise and previous experience with habitat management, restoration for pollinator species, and community education/volunteerism. NEEF encourages applicants to have a variety of partners to improve the project’s connection to the local community, ensure quality volunteer involvement, expand the impact of the project through landowner or land trust partnership, and/or improve credibility of the science-based habitat improvement. Summarize the education or volunteer involvement, the direct engagement of underrepresented audiences and underserved communities, and the overall impact on underserved communities. Demographics of staff and board Total request amount: Applicants can request a minimum of $50,000 and a maximum of $100,000 to be spent over a one-year period. Application Criteria Applicants invited to submit a full application will build on LOIs. Applications will be evaluated based on the extent to which they meet the following criteria: Describe how the habitat enhancement project will benefit pollinator species, and include a step-by-step plan for establishing, enhancing, and/or preserving habitat acres. NEEF encourages applicants to have a varied approach for a robust restoration of diverse habitat. Budget: Describe how funds will be used to meet project goals. A budget and a budget narrative are required. Describe how the applicant will provide educational or volunteer offerings that link the on-the-ground conservation work taking place on public lands to the surrounding community (e.g., educating property-owners about the impact of invasive species and encouraging removal of targeted species on private property surrounding the project site). Provide a detailed timeline of when programming/activities will take place during the grant year. The timeline should include community engagement events. Describe project partners and their involvement in the work. Provide Partner Letters of Support from those listed under the project team section of the LOI who will be responsible for implementing grant activities, if applicable. Describe the project team, including partner staff if responsible for implementing grant activities. Detail the roles and involvement of each organization cited in the LOI who will be directly responsible for reporting and activities related to conservation, education, and volunteer components of the grant. Describe the sustainability plan and ongoing maintenance. If applicable, list how the organization will share lessons learned or further the impact of the project on adjacent lands (i.e. landowner information sessions, published works, public education, conferences). Provide required financials which include: Conflict of interest policy A list of the Board of Directors Annual organizational budget Audit for prior fiscal year, or if an audit is not available, a balance sheet and Profit and Loss Statement for prior fiscal year Demographics of staff and board Expectations if Funded Participate in calls with NEEF and other grantees to share project updates, successes, challenges, and best practices. Collaborate with NEEF on evaluation strategies to ensure accurate and timely reports are submitted. Collaborate with NEEF’s Marketing & Communications team on press releases, stories, and other external communications related to funded projects. Commitment to collect and report on relevant key performance indicators (KPIs) listed in the “Program Metrics” section of this document. All applications must be submitted through our online system. If you have any questions or problems, please contact us at grantsadmin@neefusa.org. Please reference the Frequently Asked Questions and Glossary page before submitting your questions.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Alaska for projects that strengthen their internal operations and improve their effectiveness through capacity-building initiatives.

This grant provides funding for projects that enhance community and economic growth in Huron County by supporting workforce development, vibrant community initiatives, and business development, among other areas of interest.

This funding opportunity supports small-scale research projects that explore the impact of race, ethnicity, and immigration status on social outcomes, aimed at fostering inclusion and diversity within communities.

Application forms are now available for the 2024 Barbara Csomay Be Bold Grants, which are awarded annually by the Iowa Conference United Women in Faith (UWFaith). Grants of up to $1,000 will be awarded to active local UWFaith units in Iowa that want to begin a new project involving multiple members to serve the community. Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to units that are planning to repeat a project or have an ongoing project involving multiple members. In addition, grants of up to $1,000 will be available for women in ministry—clergy and laywomen—to participate in an educational event or class. The money could be used for seminary, the School for Lay Ministry, Mission u, the Preaching Academy, etc. The grants are made possible by major funds from the estate of Barbara Csomay (SO-may), a longtime United Methodist Woman member from Kanawha, that were designated to Iowa Conference United Methodist Women (Now United Women in Faith). Csomay, a retired music teacher and band director, died in 2015. The grants' purpose is to energize units and engage them in their communities with new initiatives. Be Bold Grants will not be awarded to organizations that already receive money from Iowa Conference UWFaith Grants from Barbara Csomay funds for the United Women in Faith national mission institution in Iowa — Families Forward— will be considered annually, with the amount to be determined. Only applications from local United Women in Faith units will be considered. Contact Iowa Conference UWF president Gladys Alvarez (gkna2001@aol.com) or treasurer Helen Pollock (helen.pollock.138@gmail.com) with questions. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual deadline: May 1st

The Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program, active since 2005, is an initiative that provides trees to nonprofit charitable partners and government agencies across the United States. Its core mission aligns with environmental conservation and community enrichment, aiming to support the development and improvement of public parks and green spaces, preserve natural habitats, and facilitate reforestation efforts. The program reflects Apache Corporation's commitment to corporate social responsibility by investing in the ecological health of the communities where it operates. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including cities, counties, schools, parks, universities, youth associations, wildlife refuges, and various charitable service groups. Eligible applicants are charitable nonprofit organizations or municipal, state, or federal government agencies with 501(c)(3) tax exemption status in states where Apache Corporation has operations: Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Wyoming. The impact goals are centered on increasing tree cover, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering community engagement in environmental stewardship. Key priorities and focuses of the grant include providing native/indigenous tree species to the applicant's local geographical area, ensuring the sustainable growth of public green spaces, and supporting conservation efforts. The program does not provide direct funds to grantees; instead, Apache Corporation covers the cost of trees and freight delivery. Grant recipients are required to request a minimum of 50 one-gallon, three-gallon, or five-gallon trees, or 1,000 bare root seedlings, and must work directly with Apache’s partner arborist, ensuring expert guidance and appropriate tree selection. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the distribution of millions of trees annually, contributing to significant reforestation and habitat restoration. The program anticipates an increase in public green spaces, improved air quality, enhanced wildlife habitats, and greater community involvement in environmental initiatives. By partnering with a diverse range of organizations, Apache aims to create a ripple effect of positive environmental and social impact, aligning with a strategic priority to support long-term ecological health and community well-being.

The Pigeon River Fund (PRF), managed by The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), aims to enhance the streams and rivers within Haywood, Buncombe, and Madison counties. This mission directly aligns with CFWNC's strategic priority of improving regional environmental health and quality of life. The fund primarily targets projects that provide direct benefits in areas such as improved surface water quality, enhanced fish and wildlife management and habitats, expanded public access to waterways, and increased citizen awareness regarding their roles in protecting these vital resources. This aligns with a theory of change that by investing in direct improvements and community engagement, the overall health and sustainability of local aquatic ecosystems will be uplifted. The PRF supports a range of projects with specific focuses and priorities. Higher priority is given to efforts that address water quality issues in streams or watersheds identified as priorities in county action plans, especially those promoting collaborative or coordinated projects with long-term benefits. Education and awareness initiatives, particularly those helping individuals understand their impact on the river basin's health, are also highly valued. Furthermore, the installation of water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) or other stream improvements that are part of a coordinated, multi-faceted effort and result in significant water quality improvement are considered high priority. Conversely, scattered projects, government agency operating support (especially staffing), and projects related to regulation enforcement are generally lower priority. The grant program seeks to achieve measurable results and expected outcomes. Projects are anticipated to lead to tangible improvements in surface water quality, as well as an increase in the health and diversity of fish and wildlife populations. Expanded public access to rivers and streams is another key outcome, fostering greater community engagement with these natural resources. Additionally, the program aims to increase citizens' awareness and understanding of water quality issues, empowering them to take more active roles in environmental protection. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $35,000 for one year, with some exceptions, and are contingent on the leveraging of other funds or in-kind resources to maximize impact. Eligible applicants include tax-exempt organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and governmental entities serving Buncombe, Haywood, or Madison counties. The grant requests are expected to demonstrate how they will address at least one of the four focus areas, contributing to the fund's overall impact goals. The emphasis on coordinated, long-term, and educational projects reflects CFWNC's strategic approach to fostering sustainable environmental improvements and building a more engaged and knowledgeable community in Western North Carolina.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations in Washington state to implement projects that improve access to culturally appropriate dental care, promote healthy food access, and encourage water consumption while reducing sugary beverage intake, particularly for underserved communities.

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The Paint Oklahoma Beautiful program, a Keep Oklahoma Beautiful initiative, is designed to empower community organizations and volunteers to rejuvenate unsightly buildings within their localities. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering community engagement, promoting civic pride, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Oklahoma's communities through the creative and resourceful renovation of structures. The target beneficiaries of this program are groups and organizations located in Oklahoma that are dedicated to improving their communities. The program aims to encourage volunteerism and provide resources for community-led beautification projects. Impact goals include fostering a sense of ownership among residents, improving the visual landscape of towns and cities, and creating more inviting public spaces. The program prioritizes projects that utilize the provided 5-gallon pails of paint for renovation, with an option for a primer stipend if needed. Eligible projects encompass a wide range of community structures, such as downtown buildings, schools, community centers, playground equipment, fences, and walls. For safety, projects must avoid heavy traffic areas, highways, and streets. The program focuses on encouraging broad participation, while also offering a contest for those who adhere strictly to the provided paint. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in the number of renovated community structures and a heightened sense of community spirit. Measurable results are demonstrated through the "Communities Primed for Change" contest, which awards prizes for first, second, and third place, with prizes of $1000, $750, and $500 respectively. This incentivizes participants to complete projects using only the provided paint and the structure included in their application, reinforcing the program's strategic priority of resource-efficient community improvement.

The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Development Fund, supported by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofits within the Chamber's five-county operational area. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by strategically investing in organizations that are vital to the community's progress in education, leadership, economic opportunity, and self-sufficiency. The fund specifically targets areas that address critical societal needs, ensuring that resources are directed towards impactful and sustainable change within the region. The program's core focus areas are Education and Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development. In education, the fund prioritizes innovative programs designed to help low-income and at-risk students succeed academically, prepare for higher education, or enter the workforce. Key impact goals include reaching a broad student population, fostering community resource collaboration, promoting curriculum innovation, and supporting scalable models. The expected outcomes are improved academic achievement, increased access to post-secondary education or employment, and the development of replicable successful educational initiatives. For Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development, the fund supports nonprofits that drive economic growth. This includes initiatives for small business development and expansion, commercial revitalization, job creation, work-entry programs, specialized skills training, and transportation solutions. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more robust local economy and creating pathways to self-sufficiency for community members. Measurable results would include an increase in new businesses, job placements, individuals completing skills training, and improved access to employment opportunities. The eligibility criteria for applicants reflect the foundation's strategic priorities, requiring tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3, public charity status under Section 509, and registration with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. This ensures that funds are distributed to credible and well-governed organizations. The geographic scope, encompassing numerous municipalities within the Chamber's area, highlights a theory of change that local, targeted investments in key sectors will lead to broad community development and improved quality of life across the region. The one-year grant duration encourages focused, impactful projects with clear objectives within that timeframe.