Brief Description
The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) “Difference Maker” grant round seeks to support community initiatives through a variety of grants. Programs funded will bring about positive change in the Alexandria area community. AACF is looking to provide leadership, financial support and build a partnership that goes beyond the grant in order to advance the project or initiatives.
What We Fund
- Capital projects
- New or expanded programs/projects
- Other strategic Investments that will have a lasting impact
Eligible organizations: 501(c) 3 nonprofit organizations, schools or government entities.
Geographic Area: Grants must serve the residents within Douglas County.
Funding Amount Range: $5,000 – $30,000.
Focus Areas
- Education – Grants will be made to support education; especially K-12 and after-school programs.
- Social Services – Grants will be made to assist basic needs and support & strengthen families, children and youth.
- Health – Grants will be made that support health education, physical and mental health and activities that reduce abuse or violence.
- Arts and Culture – Grants will be made to support activities that generate an appreciation of diverse cultures and that enhance and improve cultural opportunities.
- Civic – Grants will be made to support activities that build, promote and preserve communities.
Favorable Considerations
- Create innovative solutions to community challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
- Build or support collaborative efforts and Involve other community partners such as other nonprofits, government entitles, businesses, and/or citizen groups
- Make a sustainable positive impact In the community
- Build social capital (I.e. connectedness) across generations, cultures, and other diverse segments of the community
- Create highly impactful and highly visible and that have the potential to inspire additional investments In the community.
- Support projects/programs that support diversity, equity and inclusion. (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy)
What We Don’t Fund
- Individuals
- Religious organizations for religious purposes (Funding for Faith-Based Organizations Policy)
- Political organizations or political campaigns
- Annual fundraising drives
- Endowments
- Debt retirement or deficit financing
- Projects that have already been completed
- Scholarships or medical research
- Grants for travel or conferences
- Government funding that has been reduced or eliminated