Our Grants

The PATH Foundation offers several grant cycles during the year to help nonprofits and government agencies better our communities. Program and Planning Grants and General Operations Grants must align with one of our four areas of focus — access to health, childhood wellness and nutrition, mental health and senior services — to be considered. Make it Happen Grants and Technical Assistance Grants are not required to adhere to those principles, but both enhance vitality and service within our community.

Program and Planning Grants

PATH Foundation’s Program and Planning Grants are 12-month grants for new or existing projects related to one or more of the Foundation’s four priority areas: access to health, childhood wellness, mental health, and senior services. Applicants may request funding for up to $75,000, though most grants will be lower. Unrestricted general operations are not eligible for funding in this grant cycle.

Applications will open in the online grant portal on January 7, 2020. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 14, 2020. Award recipients will be notified in May with grant payout in July. Successful grantees must use funding within one year of award.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, religious institutions for non-religious purposes, or local government entities in Fauquier, Rappahannock and northern Culpeper Counties. The PATH Foundation will consider requests that reflect its mission, vision and values.

Review the Program and Planning grant criteria below to ensure that your organization’s project aligns with the grant program’s parameters. Download the Sample Outcomes Matrix and the Working Outcomes Matrix here.

Grant Criteria

The PATH Foundation recognizes that funding for programs and planning is very important to nonprofits. Careful strategic planning, board cultivation and the uninterrupted running of core organizational activities are essential to the success of thriving community institutions. Annual planning grants will be offered to nonprofits and public agencies with a track record of community impact and sound fiscal management.

Key Objectives:

  • Provide financial support for effective and essential programs for nonprofits
  • Encourage nonprofit boards and staff to engage in capacity building and leadership cultivation
  • Facilitate critical, long-range strategic planning

The PATH Foundation will consider requests that reflect its mission, values and four areas of focus:

  • Access to Health
  • Childhood Wellness
  • Mental Health
  • Senior Services

Organizations and their proposals must be engaged in addressing one or more of these specific areas. Funding is given greater consideration when the application demonstrates the intersection of four areas: need, opportunity, potential impact and collaboration. The PATH Foundation strongly encourages applicants to base their requests on demonstrated project design, rather than the allowable funding maximum.

Applicants Must:

  • Provide an IRS determination letter confirming that they are exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • The recipient can be a fiscal agent for others, as long as the purpose is charitable.
  • Government entities may apply for planning grants but are not eligible for general operating funds.
  • Organizations requesting funds for strategic planning may be established or emerging/new institutions.
  • Proposals must benefit people and organizations within the Foundation’s service area of Fauquier County, Rappahannock County and northern Culpeper County.
  • Applicants may submit only one application per grant cycle.

Types of Requests Not Supported:

  • Grants to individuals, private foundations, event sponsorship, or fundraising
  • Faith-based institutions for religious purposes
  • Multi-year requests
  • Short-term or temporary projects

In all cases, applicants will be asked to consider and address three key questions:

  • What do you want to accomplish?
  • How do you plan to do it?
  • How will you measure your outcomes?

Funding and Reporting

Funding to successful grantees must be used within one year of award. Grantees will be required to submit two reports during the grant cycle: an interim progress report and a final analysis detailing process, outcomes and lessons. Additionally, the Project Outcomes Matrix must be submitted or updated before the end of the grant cycle.

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General Operations Grants

General Operations grants are the PATH Foundation’s most competitive awards, providing unrestricted funding for the smooth running of strong nonprofits. The purpose of these grants is twofold: to empower exceptional nonprofits to expand, improve or pursue their best ideas; and to establish principles of best practice to which any nonprofit, regardless of size, can aim.

Applications will open in the online grant portal on September 3, 2019. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on October 4, 2019. Award recipients will be notified in late November with grant payout in January. Successful grantees must use funding within one year of award.

The PATH Foundation recognizes that support for general operations is some of the hardest funding to raise. Yet the uninterrupted running of core organizational activities is essential to the success of thriving community institutions. A small number of grants will be made to local nonprofits demonstrating the highest standards and principles in our community.

Grant Criteria

Funds may be used for any direct or indirect costs related to the nonprofit’s activities, including but not limited to: payroll, rent, utilities, supplies and equipment, project costs, capital improvements, and planning. If you have a General Operations need that is not reflected here, please contact program staff. Activities for this grant must be completed within one year of award.

Size of Grant Awards

  • Grants shall be calculated on a sliding scale based on the applicant’s operating budget.
  • For organizations with annual budgets less than $100,000, General Operations grants are limited to 20% or less of the previous year’s IRS Form 990 revenue. For those who complete IRS Form 990, use Part 1, Line 12.
  • For organizations with annual budgets of $100,000 or more, General Operations grants are limited to 15% or less of the previous year’s IRS Form 990 revenue. For those who complete IRS Form 990, use Part 1, Line 12.

Process for Successful Grant Requests

Nonprofits interested in applying for a General Operations grant should begin by reviewing the grant guidelines and Principles of Best Practice below. All applications must be submitted through our online grant portal. Paper submissions will not be considered.

The PATH Foundation will consider requests from organizations pursuing activities that reflect its mission, values and four areas of focus:

  • Access to Health
  • Childhood Wellness
  • Mental Health
  • Senior Services

Applicants Must:

  • Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing with the IRS. Government entities and religious institutions are not eligible for General Operations grants.
  • Subscribe to Principles of Best Practice relative to nonprofit governance, finance, public disclosure and programming (see below).
  • Have at least three years of stable leadership or have undergone a merger or other strategic restructuring within the past three years.
  • Demonstrate commitment to strategic direction-setting, such as an externally-guided strategic plan, feasibility study, participation in PATH Resource Center programming, enrollment in Nonprofit Academy or other comparable capacity development within the past three years.
  • Proposals must benefit people and organizations within the Foundation’s service area of Fauquier County, Rappahannock County and northern Culpeper County.

Priority will be given to organizations with a proven culture of collaboration, strategic direction, and diverse funding resources. Previous support for an organization does not imply future funding or that general operating grants will be available in any given year.

Principles of Best Practice

The following principles represent a standard to strive for, not hard eligibility prerequisites. Even if your organization does not currently practice all of these standards, it may still be eligible for General Operations grant consideration.

Governance

  1. The board acts for the good of the organization and adheres to fiduciary duties of loyalty, care, and obedience.
  2. The organization acts in accordance with its bylaws. Proper board meetings are conducted, and term limits are set for the service of the board members and officers.
  3. The nonprofit strives to have a governing board with a diversity of skills and experiences useful to understanding the needs of the communities served by the organization.
  4. The board has a minimum of two officers, president/chairperson and treasurer.
  5. The organization has adopted and implemented the following internal governance policies: conflict of interest, whistleblower, document retention and destruction, compensation of key personnel, gift acceptance and transparency.
  6. The board monitors and ensures compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, grant/funding requirements, quality of programs and services, and stewardship of resources (philanthropic giving, board composition, knowledge, skills and abilities of Executive Director).

Finance

  1. The governing board approves an operating budget prior to the beginning of each fiscal year and receives financial reports at least quarterly.
  2. The budget is prepared in tandem with planning for programs and operating needs.
  3. Nonprofits with annual revenue in excess of $750,000 have the accuracy of their financial reports audited by a Certified Public Accountant. Nonprofits with annual revenue between $250,000 and $750,000 have their financial reports reviewed by a Certified Public Accountant.
  4. The organization does not have persistent or increasing operating deficits.
  5. The organization has sufficient liquidity to weather financial risk inherent in the business.
  6. The board has a ‘give or get’ expectation that 100% of board members will make or raise a financial contribution to the organization.
  7. The organization prepares timely financial statements including a statement of financial position and statement of financial activities that are clearly stated and useful for the board and staff.

Public Disclosure

  1. The organization produces an annual report and makes available to the public, in hard copy or electronic form, information about the organization’s mission, program activities, and basic financial data as well as the names of the organization’s board members and management staff.
  2. The organization must timely file IRS Form 990 annually. The board should approve IRS Form 990 before it is submitted.
  3. The organization must make the following available to the public: IRS Form 990 for the previous three years, including clear statements of program service accomplishments in Part III; and IRS Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption.

Program

  1. The organization responsibly uses its resources toward its mission and to benefit the community.
  2. The organization periodically reviews its mission. The organization evaluates whether the mission needs to be modified to reflect societal or community changes, whether its current programs should be revised or discontinued, and whether new programs need to be developed.
  3. The organization has a written job description for each employee that clearly identifies roles and responsibilities, and adheres to a stated non-discrimination policy.

Suggested Resources

Organizations that do not currently meet a majority of eligibility guidelines are encouraged to consult the PATH Resource Center and other regional/national organizations dedicated to nonprofit capacity to learn more about fostering strong nonprofit principles and practices.

PATH Resource Center (operated by Center for Nonprofit Excellence)

Independent Sector

Foundation Center

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Make It Happen! Grants

Make It Happen! was created to foster the can-do attitude of our region and promote creativity. We hope and expect to hear fresh ideas from new voices in the community. It shows how we can all share in a brighter future. There is no set grant cycle or application deadline. Applications are processed year-round on a first-come, first-served basis until funding for the fiscal year is exhausted. $250,000 will be available for this round of Make it Happen! Grants.

Grant Criteria

  • Applicants must be a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a religious institution or local government entity. The recipient can be a fiscal agent for others, as long as the purpose is charitable.
  • Proposals must benefit people and organizations within the Foundation’s service area of Fauquier County, Rappahannock County and northern Culpeper County.
  • The project should have the potential to inspire and motivate the community.
  • Funds are to be used for charitable purposes with tangible community benefit, impacting a significant number of people.
  • Projects must address community challenges or create new opportunities – no past or ongoing programs will be considered. Requests for sponsorship, team equipment, or capital expenses are ineligible for funding.

Grant requests can be made in two categories:

  • $2,000 to $10,000 (90 day projects)
  • $10,000 to $25,000 (6 month projects)

If you are uncertain about which tier to apply for, please contact PATH Foundation program staff. The recipient must report the use of funding and grant outcomes to the PATH Foundation within 30 days of project completion.

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Technical Assistance Grants

Technical Assistance grants may be used to offset the cost of a consultant, tool or skill that a nonprofit wants to strengthen or add, allowing it to operate more effectively. These grants strengthen organizations serving Fauquier, Rappahannock, and northern Culpeper Counties.

Grant Criteria

Grant recipients must be a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, a religious institution for non-religious purposes, or local government entity. Proposals must benefit organizations within the PATH Foundation’s service area of Fauquier County, Rappahannock County and northern Culpeper County. Grants will be awarded up to $25,000. Applicants are required to match 20 percent of the amount of funding requested.

Areas of Focus

Advancement of Technology: Supports software and technology upgrades that foster enhanced cybersecurity, corporate reputation, rebranding, donor management, or effective community outreach. Funds may not be used for subscriptions, promotional campaigns, or advertising.

Leadership Expertise: Allows community teams (e.g., boards, working groups, staff) to either attend a leadership training activity or to bring a leadership trainer to the group. Funds may be used for travel, attendance, or registration fees.

Planning Efforts: Engages a consultant to assist an organization with board development, staff development, organizational assessment, vision setting/strategic planning, marketing/communications planning, budget management, fundraising, grantwriting, or volunteer corps development. Funding builds the capacity of an organization to be more effective; it may not be used to hire a consultant or freelancer to do the organization’s work.

Collaborative Strategies: Supports collaborative learning and knowledge exchange. Funding is often used for a facilitator or consultant to bring together two or more organizations that will benefit from collaborating with one another.

Timeline & Process

If the proposal is for the engagement of a consultant or facilitator, applicants are encouraged to discuss proposals with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence at the PATH Resource Center prior to starting the application process. While organizations may elect to contract with personnel from the PATH Resource Center, it is not a requirement. Organizations may select their own counsel.

Applications must detail the work to be completed with anticipated results; specifically, addressing how technical assistance will most likely produce lasting and significant outcomes. Outcomes should focus on organizational changes; not solely grant outputs. Technical Assistance grants are not a substitute for general operating overhead.

There is no set grant cycle or application deadline for Technical Assistance Grants. Applications are processed year-round on a first come, first-served basis until funding for the fiscal year is exhausted. Grants must be completed within six months of the award. Applicants can expect to hear from the PATH Foundation within 30 days on the outcome of their proposal.

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Grant Partnership Overview and FAQ’s

If you are a recent grant recipient, please review the PATH Foundation Grant Partnership Overview. This document breaks down the first few weeks of the grant process and answers frequently asked questions from past grant recipients.

Questions?

If you’re uncertain about how best to move forward, please contact our program staff. Kirsten Dueck, Andy Johnston, or Margy Thomas would be happy to discuss any concerns or questions you may have. Call 540.680.4100 to speak with us today.