Competitive Grants
Nonprofits
About
The Community Foundation accepts applications for funding from eligible charitable organizations once annually. In April 2026, CFNLA awarded over $4 million to 69 programs.
There are currently three categories of funding available. Each category has unique eligibility requirements, guidelines, and applications. Eligible organizations may submit only one application annually and may not submit in multiple categories.
The categories are:
- Primary Grants
- Arts Grants
- Small Organization Grants
Timeline
- Stage One (Letter of Intent) for Primary Grants and Arts Grants ONLY opens August 1 at 8 a.m. CST and closes August 21 at 4 p.m. CST.
- For those invited to Stage Two in the Primary Grants and Arts Grants categories, the application opens October 15 at 8 a.m. CST and closes November 15 at 4 p.m. CST.
- For those that wish to apply in the Small Organization Grants category, the application opens October 15 at 8 a.m. CST and closes November 15 at 4 p.m. CST.
- Grant recipients will be announced in April.
- Funds will be available June 1 or later.
Process
Training: Please review the eligibility criteria thoroughly for each grant category and view our training resources for technical assistance. These materials may be viewed at your convenience; no registration is required.
Application:
- Primary and Arts Grants: The annual grant cycle includes two stages; Stage One (Letter of Intent) opens on August 1 at 8 a.m. CST and closes on August 21 at 4 p.m. CST. For those invited to the second stage, Stage Two opens October 15 at 8 a.m. CST and closes November 15 at 4 p.m. CST.
- (NEW FOR 2027) Small Organization Grants: Applications in the Small Organization category are now single-stage, meaning there is NO LETTER OF INTENT. Full applications are to be submitted during the application period: October 15 at 8 a.m. CST to November 15 at 4 p.m. CST.
Staff Review: The Community Foundation staff reviews every application thoroughly. You will be contacted if a site visit, meeting, or phone conference is needed to discuss the program in more detail. (NEW FOR 2027 APPLICANTS) If your organization has not received a Competitive Grant in the last three years, you are required to contact the Community Foundation grants department to schedule a phone call, Zoom/Teams call, or site visit.
Revision: It is the applicant’s duty to advise the Community Foundation should circumstances arise which would change or affect any aspect of the grant proposal.
Board Review: The Community Foundation’s Board of Directors reviews all applications and makes the final grant award decisions.
Notification: Applicants will receive an email notification of the Board’s funding decisions in April. Grant awards will be announced to the public in April. Applicants who receive a grant award must sign a grant contract and are expected to adhere to the stipulated terms.
Funds Available: Funds will be available June 1 or later, depending upon the program start date. Funds are typically disbursed two to four weeks prior to the program start date.
Ongoing Requirements: All grantees are required to submit a final report 30 days after the program end date.
Types of projects we don’t fund:
- Sectarian projects
- Sponsorship/fundraisers
- Retirement of debt
- Reimbursement for expenses already incurred
Competitive Grant Categories
Click each button below to learn more about the types of competitive grants available through the Community Foundation and view eligibility criteria. Eligible organizations may submit only one application annually and may not submit in multiple categories.