APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply for a Grant

Impact Fairfield County’s goal is to provide high-impact grants that reach under-resourced populations and address unmet needs in our area. To support this important work and allow organizations to “dream big,” Impact annually awards $100,000 grants to local non-profits. Total funding is determined by the number of Impact members who contribute $1,000 each to the grant pool. Excess membership funds are divided among the other finalists of the grant process for general operating support.

Applying for a grant starts with a Letter of Inquiry. Letters of Inquiry are accepted online beginning in mid-October and are due in mid-November. Grant finalists are determined through a detailed process of proposal review and evaluation by Impact members, and the grant recipients are selected by a vote of the membership at the Grant Awards Celebration in May.

How It Works

Oct–Nov  —  Nonprofits submit grant proposals

Nov–Dec  —  Member committees review for eligibility

Dec–Jan  —  Members select proposals to invite to submit full proposals

Jan–Feb  —  Members review financials and full applications

Mar–Apr  —  Each review committee selects nonprofits to move forward and conducts site visits

Apr  —  Each Review Committee selects one finalist

May  —  Finalists present and members vote at the Grant Awards Celebration