Grant Guidelines
Major Areas of Support
The Lafayette Community Foundation (LCF) makes grants to organizations with projects consistent with the Foundation's mission. Both new and ongoing projects will be considered for funding. Grants are made to entities with Federal 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status. Some examples of potential projects are as follows:
- Lafayette arts, theater and music programs
- Senior assistance and enrichment programs
- Youth athletic, academic and music programs
- Gardens, library, open-space, trail and habitat funds
Application Procedures
To apply, please download the grant application and send it with your narrative proposal (no longer than 2 pages) stating the purpose for which you request funding. The narrative should address these basic questions:
- What is the significance of the issue you seek to address?
- What are the changes you seek to bring about?
- What project are you proposing and how much funding are you requesting?
- How will this project bring about the changes you seek?
Please also submit the following with your letter:
- Evidence of tax-exempt status
- An operating budget for the organization
- A list of Board members
- A brief organizational history and mission statement
- Letter of support from collaborating agency (if applicable)
Proposals should be mailed to:
Grants Coordinator
Lafayette Community Foundation
P.O. Box 221
Lafayette, CA 94549-0221
or email us at grants@lafayettecommunityfoundation.org
Upon satisfactory review of the proposal, additional information may be requested. An interview and site visit may be conducted.
Grant Review Criteria
Grant applications that meet the following criteria will be given priority:
- Collaborative approaches that promote effective coordination and avoid duplication of efforts
- A clear plan, goals and objectives
- Committed, effective leadership and management capacity
- A well-defined plan for evaluation of project effectiveness
- Submission from an organization that will most directly benefit the residents of Lafayette
Application Deadline
The deadlines for grant applications are March 31st for applications with award decisions announced May 31st and Sept 30th for applications with award decisions announced Nov 30th.
All proposals must be received by the deadline. Late proposals will be considered in the next grant review cycle period.
Exclusions
The Lafayette Community Foundation will not provide funding for any of the following:
- Fundraising events, campaigns, dinners or advertising/media programs
- Lobbying, propaganda or other attempts to influence legislation or other partisan political activities
- Endowments
- Scholarships