YVCF Community Grant Cycle
2023-24 Grant Guidelines
At the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, we proudly support a philosophy of trust-based philanthropy in our relationship with every grantee. This approach commits to building relationships based on transparency, dialogue, and mutual learning. We seek to streamline applications and reporting, attaching fewer strings to funding. We partner with local nonprofit organizations for a stronger combined effort towards achieving shared community goals.
The Yampa Valley Community Foundation, in partnership with the Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, donor advised fund holders, and other granting endowments, offers once-a-year grants up to $7,500. In addition to our annual grants, organizations working collaboratively to make a regional difference in the Yampa Valley may be invited to apply for a YVCF Impact Grant up to $30,000. Click here to learn more about our Impact Grants.
General Information
Each grant is either for unrestricted purposes or issued as a programmatic grant:
- Unrestricted (General Operating) Grants: The 2023 grant cycle will again focus on unrestricted grants. Unrestricted funding provides grantees the flexibility to assess and determine where grant dollars are most needed. These grants allow for innovation, emergent action, and organizational sustainability. To qualify for unrestricted grants, the organization must serve Routt and/or Moffat Counties and must meet all other eligibility requirements posted in these 2023 Community Grants Guidelines.
- Programmatic Grants: We will accept programmatic grant applications from eligible organizations when an operating grant is not appropriate. If your organization fits any of the following descriptions, you must apply for a program grant:
- Organizations with annual operating budget over $1 million
- Organizations with service areas that extend outside Routt and Moffat Counties
- Faith-based organizations
NEW FOR 2023
- All application guidelines, questions, and scoring rubrics have been carefully reconsidered and in some cases significantly revised since 2022. Changes were made to clarify the application and improve our grantmaking process for applicants and reviewers alike. Past applicants should read everything anew and new applicants will benefit from reading all guidelines and the scoring rubric. Free trainings should prove very helpful for all applicants: see the schedule below.
- Organizations with annual operating budgets over $1 million must apply for a programmatic grant.
- 2023 Scoring Rubric: review detailed criteria by which your application will be evaluated.
- Application questions: view the application questions (for reference only; does not include tips and links to resources available through the online application).
Eligibility
- Grant requests must be limited to $7,500 or less.
- IRS status: 501(c)(3) or fiscally sponsored through a 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more:
- Read the IRS explanation of 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.
- Read about fiscal sponsorship (from the National Council of Nonprofits)
- In very select cases, certain government entities may be able to serve as fiscal sponsor of a project that is not a 501(c)(3). Before applying, contact program officer Greg Hamilton for details.
- Geography: Funds must serve Routt and/or Moffat County. Organizations operating beyond these two counties must apply for a programmatic grant and explain how the funds granted by YVCF would be used only within Routt and/or Moffat County.
- Grant funds may NOT be used for:
- Religious or political purposes (faith-based organizations must apply for a programmatic grant and explain how program meets this requirement).
- Debt reimbursement, retroactive grants, or projects already completed.
- Purposes that do not meet YVCF’s non-discrimination policy.
Training, Technical Assistance, & Resources
Watch our 2023 Training video for grant applicants (75 min.)
• View the presentation slides/links
Video on “What do funders look for in grant proposal budgets?” (2.5 min) from Candid.
Video on “Essentials of Financials for Grantseekers” from YVCF finance director Karen O’Connor: Click here to view (18 min).
• View the presentation slides
Document uploads:
- Must be in PDF format. Access a free online PDF converting tool here: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/convert-pdf.html
- If providing multiple documents for one question, you must combine into a single PDF. Access a free online PDF merging tool here: https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/online/merge-pdf.html
- Watch for errors or lost data! Please proof all your documents before uploading.
2022-23 Grant Reporting – All approved grants require submission and acceptance of a report on funded activities due the earliest of: a) within one year of funding, or b) prior to approval of funding in the subsequent year’s Community Grant Cycle. If your organization received funding last year, through the 2022-23 YVCF Community Grant Cycle, please submit your report ASAP (and no later than August 17, 2023) to greg@yvcf.org. For reporting forms, please click either: fillable PDF or Microsoft Word document.
Download a PDF of these Grant Guidelines
Important Dates
- Mon, May 8, 2023 Application opens on YVCF website
- Concluded: Wed, May 10 (10-11:30am) YVCF Grant Application Training including NEW Financials Training for Grantseekers – at Old Town Hot Springs, Steamboat Springs.
- Concluded: Fri, May 12 (10-11:30am) YVCF Grant Application Training – at Craig Chamber (775 Yampa Ave, Craig).
- Wed, May 24 Deadline to contact YVCF to discuss your program (technical assistance only with the application after this date)
- Sun, June 11 (11:30pm Mountain) Grant applications due
- Thu, August 31 Organizations notified of grant award
If you have any questions, please contact Greg Hamilton at greg@yvcf.org.
Every day we meet with partners, new and longstanding, to pass on our passion to build a better Yampa Valley. If you have a passion, we can help you find the best way to pass it on.