Community Grants

COMMUNITY GRANT PURPOSE:

Community grants provide Program-specific, Capacity-building, or General Operating grants of up to $10,000 for projects or organizations that improve quality of life in the Wood River Valley.

DEADLINE:

• Applications will open August 1st and are due by midnight on October 15th, 2024.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Nonprofits eligible for Spur Impact grants: 

• Are determined to be tax-exempt by the IRS 

• Actively and broadly serve the Blaine County/Wood River Valley community  

• Address a local community need or opportunity 

COMMUNITY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: 

• Program or Project Grants: Supports the implementation, continuation, or expansion of programs that align with the organization's mission and objectives. For Impact grants, the proposed activities should address a pressing community need. 

• Capacity-Building Grants: Supports organizations in strengthening their internal capabilities and infrastructure. For Impact grants, the proposed activities should significantly enhance the organization's ability to fulfill its mission. 

• General Operating Support Grants: Provides organizations unrestricted support with the flexibility to allocate funds where they are most needed. *To be eligible for a General Operating Support grant, the applicant must have completed a Spur assessment within the past four years.

COMMUNITY GRANT PROCESS: 

1. Carefully read the guidelines and FAQS. If you have questions, please contact a Spur staff member before starting an application. If after reading the guidelines and FAQs you feel your organization is a good fit for a Community grant, then you may complete the application. However, if you have no relationship or previous point of contact with Spur, we ask that you contact a Spur staff member before applying. Initial conversations help Spur better understand your project, further clarify if your project is a good match for this opportunity, and potentially prevent unnecessary effort on your part.  

2. Online Application: Once you completed the above step, you may complete an application online using Spur’s grant portal. Applications will open on August 1st and are due by midnight on October 15th. Click here to go to Spur’s grant portal.

3. Review and Evaluation: Spur staff will review the application to ensure it is complete and may request additional information if needed. Once staff has reviewed the application, it will be assigned to the grants committee. The Committee will review and evaluate your application using the criteria listed below. 

4. Grant Decisions: The Committee will present its recommendations to Spur's Board of Directors. Upon the board's consideration and approval, Spur staff will promptly notify the applicant of the decision. If a grant is awarded, the payment will be processed shortly thereafter. In the case when a grant is not awarded, the applicant will be offered feedback on their application.

5. Report: Funded organizations report on progress toward the goals and outcomes established. Reports due dates depend on the timeline of the project.  

REVIEW CRITERIA: 

Impact and Need: Successful applications will identify and address an organizational or community need that aligns with the applicant organization’s mission and strategic priorities. Priority is given to organizations committed to addressing significant community needs.

Clear Plan for Proposed Activities: Successful applicants present a clear description of all activities with a well-defined timeline. Proposed activities should enhance the quality of life in the Wood River Valley.

Evaluation Plan: We prioritize organizations that plan to monitor and measure the impact of the proposed activities on the community and/or the individuals they serve. Applicants should include clear outcomes for evaluating the project's effectiveness and identify specific evaluation methods.

Financial Management: Successful applicants provide a detailed budget that aligns with the proposed activities. If securing additional funding beyond the requested amount is necessary to execute the proposed activities, a plan outlining a strategy for obtaining the funds is included.

Leadership and Organizational Capacity: We value leadership at both the board and executive levels, emphasizing a deep understanding of the community, nonprofit management, and the organization’s specific field. We appreciate good leaders may bring diverse experiences to the role and value those who maintain an awareness of areas for improvement and actively strive to implement best practices. We value organizations that have demonstrated competence and success, particularly in the area of the need identified.

Available Funds: We must also consider the availability of funds aligned with the request's purpose.