The Community Grants cycle runs from November through April and consists of the steps below, facilitated by a volunteer Community Grants Committee. The dollar amount of Community Grants is determined by the funds available and may vary each year.
1. Nominations – Impact 100 Redwood Circle members nominate organizations for Community Grants. Only nominated organizations may apply. Community grants are designated for nonprofits operating in the following focus areas, defined as:
Arts and Culture
Organizations whose mission includes one or more of the following aims:
- cultivate, enrich, and preserve the arts and arts participation, encompassing all creative disciplines and sites, such as dance, music, media arts, theater, visual arts, literary opportunities, and museums
- Explore and educate others in and about the arts, cultural heritage, and diversity
- Promote civic engagement in cultural endeavors
Environment/Parks/Sustainability/Recreation
Organizations whose mission includes one or more of the following aims:
- Protect, preserve, improve, restore and/or conserve our natural surroundings, resources, or public spaces
- Improve the welfare of animals
- Encourage research, public awareness, and education relating to the environment and conservation of our natural resources
Education
Organizations whose mission includes one or more of the following aims:
- Advance and/or improve educational processes and opportunities
- Improve educational access from preschool through adult
- Prepare children and adults for 21st-century careers through job training and real-world learning opportunities.
Health/Community Betterment (organizations with annual revenue of $500,000 or less)
Organizations whose mission includes one or more of the following aims:
- Positively impact the physical, social, mental health, and/or well-being of adults, children, families
- Strengthen and enhance the lives of children, teens, adults, seniors
At least one grant is awarded in each focus area annually.
2. Eligibility/Application – Nominated organizations are vetted to ensure their basic eligibility and invited to submit an application. They are also invited to attend a virtual Community Grants Application Workshop.
3. Community Grants Application Workshop – Applicants may attend this optional orientation and training.
4. Application Review – Community Grant Committee members read, score, and evaluate the applications to select finalists.
5. Voting – Members are asked to vote via an email ballot containing a short description of the finalist organizations.
6. Grant Awards – The Community Grantees are recognized at the annual Community Grants Award Celebration in the spring.
7. Ongoing Liaison – Members of our Liaison Committee serve as ambassadors to the Community Grantees throughout the duration of their grant periods to keep our membership apprised of any news and developments and share ways that members can offer additional support. Grantees are asked to provide a final report at the end of their grant period.