Competitive Grants

The Community Foundation offers a Competitive Grant Program to qualifying 501(c)(3) Public Charities, government agencies, and school districts in Teton Valley, designed to provide funding for projects addressing critical needs in the community. Grant applications will be considered on an annual basis and funds will be made available in a single spring application.

The size of grants awarded range from a few hundred dollars to thousands. The Community Foundation considers larger grant requests for exceptional projects or those involving collaboration amongst multiple organizations. All grant awards will be determined by the Foundation's Grant Committee and must demonstrate the applicant's ability to positively impact a compelling community need.

• Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government entity, or other IRS-recognized charitable organization serving Teton Valley, ID and/or Alta, WY, OR be fiscally-sponsored by an entity that meets these requirements.
• Grant funds must be used exclusively in Teton Valley, ID & Alta, WY.
• Funds may not be used for debt retirement or religious or political activities.
• Applicant's work must not be primarily focused on influencing legislation.
• Grant funds may not be used for a project or training that has already been completed.

The Community Foundation supports a wide variety of proposals. Ideas for addressing issues in the arts, environment, social services, education, recreation, animal, and civic arenas are all welcome. Applicants may request funding to support new or existing programs, capital projects, professional development, strategic planning, new or existing projects, pilot projects, equipment purchases, general operations, and capacity building.

Should your request be approved, your proposal is used as the basis for a grant contract, and funds may only be used for the purpose described in the grant application unless otherwise approved. It is the applicant's responsibility to keep a copy of the proposal and to track all fund expenditures.

Organizations awarded grant funding must send an authorized representative to the Awards Party to execute the Grant Contract, receive the grant check, and pose for a photo.

If grant funds have not been fully spent during the allotted 12 months, or the project is incomplete, organizations must contact the Community Foundation of Teton Valley to request an extension. In general, extensions of up to 6 months from the original due date of the grant report may be considered. If an extension is not granted, any unused funds must be returned promptly to the Community Foundation of Teton Valley.

Restrictions: The Community Foundation does not provide support for the following: religious activity, debt retirement, political activity, organizations/projects working primarily to influence legislation, and scholarships. The Community Foundation does not fund work retroactively.

Organizations demonstrating a failure to comply with IRS regulations will be deemed ineligible to apply for funding from any Community Foundation program. Organizations that have received a grant from the Community Foundation and have overdue grant reports are not eligible for new grant funding. If you have questions about your organization's reporting status, please contact our office at (208) 354-0230.

What Does the Review Committee Look for in Applications?

• A clear and compelling community need.
• A well-developed program that will address the stated need.
• A rational methodology for meaningful program evaluation.
• A reasonable, comprehensive project budget.

When is the Application Deadline and When Will Money be Available?

Applications must be submitted online in February. Funding is subsequently available in early April, upon receipt of grant contracts for approved requests. If you have questions, please email Brian Thysell or call (208) 354-0230.

All grant recipients are required to submit a grant report to the Community Foundation of Teton Valley. Grant reports must be received within 60 days post project completion or by January 31st, the following year granted, whichever comes first.

For more information or to submit your report, contact Brian Thysell at (208) 354-0230.

Photographs of your project are encouraged. To include photographs, send them as electronic files attached to your email when you send your report or during your project. Send photographs to Claire Vitucci.

Grant reports are distributed to our Grants Committee for review. Reports may factor into future grant awards.

Grantees must adhere to the Foundation's Communication Requirements For Grant Recipients.

Competitive Grants are funded by Tin Cup Business & Community Challengers, individual donors, and endowed funds held at the Community Foundation of Teton Valley.