Grants

Waco Foundation currently has two competitive grant cycles per year.

Deadlines

Competitive grant application deadlines are as follows:

• Spring applications are due on April 1^st by midnight.
• Fall applications are due on September 1^st by midnight.

Funding Decisions

Competitive grant application funding decisions and awards are made at the following times:

• Spring decisions are awarded after the May board meeting.
• Fall decisions are awarded after the October board meeting.

• Organizations applying for funding must be classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity under the Internal Revenue Code. Individuals are not qualified applicants;
• Organizations must provide services directly to Waco and McLennan County;
• Organizations that have been previously funded cannot apply again until 12 months have passed; and
• Organizations that have been previously funded must submit an Interim Evaluation Form (due 6 months after the first draw is made on the grant – applicable to all grants awarded fall 2010 and thereafter) and a Close-Out Report (due with the final check request for the grant) before applying for a subsequent grant.  It is the responsibility of the grantee organization to have these submitted on time.
• The Foundation will fund specific projects and programs that have measurable results (evidence of productivity, change in number, etc.).
• The Foundation appreciates and encourages collaborative agency grant requests.
• Oral presentations and site visits are not required; however, the board reserves the right to request one.

High funding priorities include the following:

• Disadvantaged children and youth;
• Low-income populations;
• Disabled individuals;
• Traditionally marginalized populations;
• Projects that cannot be easily accomplished without the support of the Waco Foundation;
• Projects that result in an increase of funding from outside of McLennan County; and
• Projects that strengthen the community’s vitality.

Low funding priorities include the following:

• Annual operating expenses of established agencies including debt retirement, deficit financing, reducing operating deficits, or replenishing resources used to pay for such purposes;
• Start-up funding for new organizations;
• Publications, videos, etc.;
• Historic preservation; and
• Organizations located outside the Waco and McLennan County (even though the project may benefit local residents and communities).

The Waco Foundation has a limited annual grantmaking budget and encourages grant requests for projects or programs that:

• Have a measurable, substantial impact on the quality of life of a significant number of people in Waco and McLennan County;
• Propose logical and practical ways to address community issues and problems;
• Leverage other sources of support in collaboration with requested Foundation funds (i.e. other grant funds, fundraising efforts or volunteers);
• Stimulate other community members and nonprofits to participate in addressing community problems;
• Are innovative new initiatives or an enhancement of a sustainable program;
• Are cooperative efforts to maximize resources and minimize/eliminate duplication of services or gaps in service; and
• Are sustainable over time.

Waco Foundation recognizes that at times a small grant made at the right time can make a long lasting impact in our community. The Foundation is committed to strengthening our nonprofits through capacity building services. Presently, if funds are available, we provide capacity building mini grants year round for capacity building needs of local nonprofits.

Due to the limitation of resources, Waco Foundation does NOT generally grant funds to the following types of organizations or projects:

• Religious activities or programs that serve, or appear to serve specific religious groups or denominations. However, projects that will serve a broad segment of the population will be considered on the same basis as proposals from other agencies;
• Political lobbying or legislative activities;
• Endowment funds;
• National, state, or local fundraising activities, i.e., annual fund drives, benefit tickets, and telephone solicitations;
• Umbrella funding organizations that intend to distribute grant funds at their own discretion;
• The use of and payment for services of a fiscal agent;
• Tax supported entities, i.e. cities and schools;
• Individuals;
• Late requests;
• Requests for programs or projects already completed; and
• Refunding projects, programs or items purchased before the grant is approved or awarded.

Funds are dispersed on a reimbursement system upon submission of a Waco Foundation Check Request Form (please visit the Grantmaking Forms Page for a downloadable version of this form). The Form must be accompanied by supporting documentation, which includes:

• invoices (note purchase orders are not acceptable unless there is a copy of the payment check attached to it)
• payment checks or credit card receipts (you must include proof of payment already made – checks are issued only on a reimbursement system)
• accounting software printouts indicating payment amount and date payment was made
• payroll records and/or timesheets with a copy of the payment check

All reimbursement requests must be submitted electronically to eancira@wacofoundation.org.  Please allow the Foundation an approximate 10-day turn around for all check requests.