Bright Idea Fund Discovery Grants

What We Fund

We offer Discovery grants for the situations that require special planning, such as:

• Strategic planning processes to prepare for organizational change, expansion, or partnerships to fulfill missions more effectively.
• Bringing organizations together to address an important community issue related to our focus areas and priorities.

Range of grantmaking: Consultant or facilitator expenses typically up to $5,000.

Deadline: Discovery grants are awarded year-round by working directly with our staff.

What We Don’t Fund

• Routine strategic planning. The Community Foundation believes all organizations should undertake regular planning, and build those costs into operating budgets.
• General operating expenses that are not directly related to the project or initiative.
• Salary support for pre-existing positions.
• Feasibility studies or other major capital project or capital campaign planning.
• Previously incurred expenses.
• Full cost of planning project or process.
• Rent or facility expenses, food or other related costs.
• Organizations working through fiscal sponsors.
• Organizational planning for new nonprofit organizations.

To apply: Contact Tammy (Williams) Geenen at 920-702-7634 or [email protected].

Want to learn how to make your grant successful? Check out our grant workshops.

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Questions? Visit our Bright Idea Fund FAQ page.