Who may apply for a grant from Woods Hole Foundation?

 

Woods Hole Foundation accepts funding proposals from local non-profit organizations and gives preference to organizations serving primarily the Woods Hole/Falmouth area.

 

Applicants must be public entities or local non-profit organizations that are tax-exempt under the provisions of the IRS code, Section 501(c)(3). If this is your first submission to the Woods Hole Foundation, please include a copy of your tax-exempt IRS 501(c)(3) letter with your application.

 

If my organization received funding in the past, may we reapply?

 

Previous grant recipients are eligible to re-apply, however, your application should include a description of how your last award (before 2024) was utilized.

 

What types of funding requests does Woods Hole Foundation consider?

 

Preference will be given to proposals with a specific project in mind (e.g. equipment, support for a special event, or a speaker),  however, requests for general program support will be considered.

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Requests for capital improvements to buildings used by area non-profits will be considered. Special consideration will be given to buildings of historical significance that add to the character of the community.

 

Applications for projects involving the cooperation between community organizations are encouraged.

Consideration will be given to the number of people who benefit from the activities of the requesting organization.

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How much money can our organization ask for?

 

Typical grants range from $250 to $5000. We receive approximately 50 worthy requests each year, and often cannot fund or fully fund all of these requests. We appreciate organizations that have clearly defined, reasonable requests.

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What if our needs change after we receive a grant, and we’d like to spend the funds on something else or wait until next year to spend the funds?

 

You are expected to spend the grant as it was proposed in your application. If you want to redirect funds or postpone the use of the funds, you must first consult the Foundation for permission. 

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What financial information do you require?

 

We require two documents: a financial report and a project budget. We are looking for a concise summary of your organization’s overall finances AND a budget for your proposed project.

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What should be included in my financial report?

 

Please include your most recent annual financial report. If the budget is voluminous, an executive summary is preferable. We need enough information to assess monetary need and fiscal responsibility.  

Your income report must include but not be limited to donations, fundraising income, gifts, grants, rental property, ticket sales, investments, etc. Your expense report must include but not be limited to office supplies, printing, advertising, salaries, maintenance, etc.

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Does my tax return or monthly bank statement suffice as a financial report?

 

No.  We do not want these documents.

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What should be included in my project budget?

 

We are looking for the details of your proposed project costs and income, if any (for example, ticket sales).  The project budget you provide us can be as simple as a paragraph, as long as you give us all the pertinent information, or it could be a standard income/expense report for the project.

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How do I know if my application is complete?

 

Review the checklist on the “preparing your proposal” page to make sure you’ve included all the required components.

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What happens if my application is not complete?

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We will not consider incomplete applications.

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Will you accept applications beyond the March 31st deadline?

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We accept applications until 11:59 PM on March 31. We will not consider late applications.

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When will I know if my proposal was successful?

 

Funding decisions are made early May, and checks are sent to organizations in the 2nd or 3rd week in May.

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