Grant FAQs
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Are there grantmaking priorities?
Yes, priority is given to:
More effective ways of doing things - ideas that require risk-taking.
Projects where a moderate amount of grant money can have an impact.
Projects that show collaboration with other organizations.
More effective ways of doing things - ideas that require risk-taking.
Projects where a moderate amount of grant money can have an impact.
Projects that show collaboration with other organizations.
Are there things you won’t fund?
Yes, the Foundation generally does not consider grants asking for:
Academic Research
Capital campaigns
Fundraising events or projects
Projects of a religious nature
Medical or academic research
Travel for individuals or groups
Annual appeals and membership contributions
Ongoing requests for general operating support
Initiatives that are political or partisan in purpose
Requests from organizations outside the El Paso geographic area.
Academic Research
Capital campaigns
Fundraising events or projects
Projects of a religious nature
Medical or academic research
Travel for individuals or groups
Annual appeals and membership contributions
Ongoing requests for general operating support
Initiatives that are political or partisan in purpose
Requests from organizations outside the El Paso geographic area.
Do you have a list of grants that will be available to non-profits? If so, how or where could I go to access such list?
Grant information can be found on our website. Visit grants and scholarship for information relating to grants and grant deadlines.
How does the Community Foundation make grants?
The Board of Directors is responsible for giving guidance to the staff and approving requests that have been recommended by various individuals and advisory committees.
How many funding requests do you get per year for the general funds?
About 400. It’s important to know that we receive at least four times as many requests as can ever be funded.
My organization wants to apply for a grant. Who’s eligible?
Grant requests will be considered only from agencies located within or offering services to the citizens of our community, which includes far west Texas, southern New Mexico and northern Chihuahua, Mexico. Applicants must be exempt from income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Grants will generally not be made for annual campaigns, dinners or special events, individuals, capital campaigns or travel.
What amounts do you fund?
Most of our grants are between $3,000 and $10,000. However, larger grants are possible for critical community projects or emergencies, depending, of course, on availability of resources.
What are the deadlines?
February 1 and August 1.
What are the major areas of interest?
Arts and Humanities
Education
Public Benefit
Health and Disabilities
Environment and Animals
Human Services
Education
Public Benefit
Health and Disabilities
Environment and Animals
Human Services
What sets a grant request apart from others?
Some important issues to address include:
Does the project fill an unmet need?
Is the budget reasonable?
Does the request show collaboration with other organizations?
What is the reputation of the applying organization?
Does the project fill an unmet need?
Is the budget reasonable?
Does the request show collaboration with other organizations?
What is the reputation of the applying organization?
Will one letter of inquiry be sufficient for the nonprofit to be considered for the El Paso Community foundation and the affiliated foundations?
Yes. Upon review, the staff will determine if the request falls within the guidelines of our affiliated foundations, donor advised funds or area of interest funds.
Will you be offering grant writing seminars in the near future?
Currently, we are not offering grantwriting seminars. The Nonprofit Enterprise Center offer a variety of workshops to include grantwriting. Visit the Nonprofit Enterprise Center website a www.nonprofitec.org