Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation Inc Grants

Matching grants that help Northwest Connecticut nonprofits start an endowment or add to an existing one. Selected nonprofits get $1 for every $4 raised, up to $20,000 per organization. Raising at least $16,000 earns an initial $4,000 match. All money raised goes into a permanent named fund at NCCF. Funded by the NCCF Marion Wm. and Alice Edwards Fund. Eligible applicants: Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in the Foundation's 20-town service area that have existed for at least three years.; Organizations that want to (i) set up their first organizational endowment or (ii) raise more capital for an existing endowment, and (iii) have the endowment managed by the Foundation as a permanent, named fund for the organization's benefit.; Organizations are selected through a competitive application process.; Each participating organization must raise at least $16,000 in endowment gifts to qualify for an initial $4,000 match. Organizations that miss the $16,000 minimum in the allotted time get no matching funds; the money raised goes into a temporary NCCF fund until the organization decides how and by whom it will be managed.; Cash and marketable securities count toward the match. Funds from existing reserves, operational pledges, or funds redirected by the Board that are earmarked for current operations do not count. Money a donor earmarked for an endowment, or set up as an organizational endowment, may be considered.; Deferred gifts such as charitable remainder trusts and bequests cannot be counted as pledges.; Main evaluation criterion: how the organization plans to add to the endowment fund once it is set up.; Special consideration goes to organizations that build endowment strategies into overall development, show board involvement and leadership in endowment fundraising, provide marketing plans that include endowment building and planned giving, and show organizational stability and a track record of raising different types of funds.; Organizations that have received ECEP grants may not reapply. Organizations whose applications are denied may reapply in later years.; Interested organizations should contact NCCF staff before applying (pre-application meeting) about establishing an endowment, investment and spending policies, administrative fees and eligible gifts.. Geography served: NCCF 20-town service area, Northwest Connecticut.