Grant FAQ’s

The Wyoming Community Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that connects people who care with causes that matter to build a better Wyoming. WYCF is governed by a statewide board of directors that grants funds to nonprofits around the state making an impact in their communities.

Nonprofit organizations currently recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and in good standing with the IRS are eligible to apply for grants that benefit Wyoming. Additionally, the WYCF makes grants to other exempt organizations and public institutions as long as the purpose for which funds have been requested falls under the IRS definition of charitable. Applications from organizations with outstanding final reports from prior grants will not be considered.

The Wyoming Community Foundation holds over 300 funds. Funds are generally classified by type:

• Designated Agency Funds – benefit a specific organization. These funds are not available for competitive grantmaking.

• Donor Advised Funds –are established by a donor and the donor makes recommendations on grants. These funds are available for competitive grantmaking, but specific conditions may apply.

• Geographic and Field of Interest Funds – are established to benefit a certain geographic region and/or a specific area of interest. These funds are available for competitive grantmaking within those predetermined guidelines.

• Scholarship Funds –are established to assist students that wish to further their education, often geographically restricted. These funds are not available for competitive grantmaking.

• Unrestricted Funds –are discretionary funds directed by the Board. These funds are available statewide for competitive grantmaking.

Please visit the Available Grants section of our website to learn more about grants and guidelines.

In general grant applications are accepted two times each year as follows:

June 15 and December 15. Please note that some advisory committees only accept applications for specific deadline dates. Learn more by reviewing the Available Grants page. You can view instructions as well. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on the first business day of the month indicated.

Typically a grant cycle takes between 10 and 12 weeks from submission deadline to notification. Grant decisions should be received by September 15th for the June deadline and March 15th for the December deadline.

While not required, WYCF really appreciates grantees sharing the news of their award on social media and with a press release. Access template here.

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Yes. WYCF is focused on funding programs that meet the needs of Wyoming communities. We accept applications in the areas of Arts and Culture, Health and Human Services, Education, Environment and Conservation, Civic and Community Building. WYCF gives low priority to requests for block grants, capital campaigns, annual campaigns, debt retirement, and governmental programs. Requests for funds to support direct lobbying activities are ineligible for Community Foundation grants.

The most competitive grant requests have a strong fit with the Wyoming Community Foundation’s mission, address important needs in the community and/or increase the capacity of your organization to carry out its mission. Multiple funding partners and collaborations with other key organizations strengthen requests. It also is important to submit a clear, well-written, complete proposal based on a strong idea.

Your organization’s first step in the grant application process is to review the “Online Application Instructions.” If you have determined that submitting for grant funding to WYCF is a good fit but want to know more about the funds we hold and advisory committees in your area, check out our Available Grants page. If you still have questions, feel free to speak with a member of the WYCF program team by contacting us at  307-721-8300. Please make certain you have reviewed the information available on the website prior to contacting program staff.

No. Please submit only one application per deadline. If you believe your organization has certain extenuating circumstances that require more than one application at a time, please contact the program staff at the foundation to discuss your situation.

It is our goal to have all applications submitted electronically. It is not our intent to cause additional hardship for any organization that does not have adequate online service. If you have a special situation that prevents you from submitting your application electronically, please contact a member of the WYCF Program team.

Grant applications are first reviewed by the Wyoming Community Foundation’s program staff to determine eligibility and to make certain that the application is complete. Program staff members are responsible for matching your application with the appropriate affiliate, advisory committees and/or donor advisor. Your application goes through committee review and a funding recommendation is presented to the WYCF board. Final approval is given by the WYCF Board of Directors. An organization may receive full funding, partial funding, or be denied funding. In some cases, additional conditions may be attached to funding approval.

In general, there is no need to apply specifically to a fund. Submit your application and the WYCF program staff will direct your application to the appropriate source(s) based on the parameters set forth in your application i.e. subject and geographic area. This may mean that your application will be reviewed by more than one committee and/or donor which, in turn, offers your request a better chance of getting funding.

Yes, but capital and operational requests must fit within our priorities. To receive funding for general operations, you must present a convincing argument for how your organization’s operational costs will be covered in the future.

All grantees receiving $1,000 or more of grant support from the Wyoming Community Foundation are required to submit a final report at the end of the 12 month grant period. Although WYCF has a final report form, we will accept final reports prepared for other funders as long as the financial information in the report includes WYCF grant funding.

An extension on your final report due date is easy to receive. Simply email your request for extension to WYCF program staff. Your request should include a brief and reasonable explanation for the extension and the date by which you can most likely complete the report. Please note that WYCF will not accept new requests for funding from the grantee if past grant reports are overdue, incomplete or have not been submitted.

Check out Grants page to access further information and to apply for a grant.