Alexandria “Difference Maker” Grants

About This Grant

Foundation: Alexandria Area Community Foundation

Brief Description

The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) “Difference Maker” grant round seeks to support community initiatives through a variety of grants. Programs funded will bring about positive change in the Alexandria area community. AACF is looking to provide leadership, financial support and build a partnership that goes beyond the grant in order to advance the project or initiatives.

What We Fund

  • Capital projects
  • New or expanded programs/projects
  • Other strategic Investments that will have a lasting impact

Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, schools or government entities.

Geographic Area: Grants must serve the residents within Douglas County.

Funding Amount Range: $5,000 – $30,000.

Focus Areas

  • Education – Grants will be made to support education; especially K-12 and after-school programs.
  • Social Services – Grants will be made to assist basic needs and support & strengthen families, children and youth.
  • Health – Grants will be made that support health education, physical and mental health and activities that reduce abuse or violence.
  • Arts and Culture – Grants will be made to support activities that generate an appreciation of diverse cultures and that enhance and improve cultural opportunities.
  • Civic – Grants will be made to support activities that build, promote and preserve communities.

Favorable Considerations

  • Create innovative solutions to community challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
  • Build or support collaborative efforts and Involve other community partners such as other nonprofits, government entitles, businesses, and/or citizen groups
  • Make a sustainable positive impact In the community
  • Build social capital (I.e. connectedness) across generations, cultures, and other diverse segments of the community
  • Create highly impactful and highly visible and that have the potential to inspire additional investments In the community.
  • Support projects/programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion. (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy)

What We Don’t Fund

  • Individuals
  • Religious organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)
  • Political organizations or political campaigns
  • Annual fundraising drives
  • Endowments
  • Debt retirement or deficit financing
  • Projects that have already been completed
  • Scholarships or medical research
  • Grants for travel or conferences
  • Government funding that has been reduced or eliminated

Application Process

1)

Submit application online using the CommunityGiving Grant Management System.

2)

The Grant Advisory Committee will recommend applications for funding to the Board of Directors.

3)

The Board of Directors will make final funding decisions.

All notification about this grant will be through emails.

Payout of Grants: upon recipient of electronically signed Grant Agreement.

Grantee Required Documents: Grant Agreement, Progress Report, Final Report. Required follow up documents will be submitted through the CommunityGiving Grant Management System.

For questions about this grant or the online Grant Management System please call (320) 257-9715.