Competitive Grants
Annual funding for local nonprofits addressing critical community needs — awarded through a thorough application and review process to ensure the greatest impact.
Investing in Teton Valley Nonprofits
Our Competitive Grants program provides annual funding to local nonprofits addressing critical community needs. Awards are determined through a thorough application and review process, ensuring funds are directed where they can make the greatest impact.
Each year, the Community Foundation distributes grants from its community funds to organizations that demonstrate strong alignment with community priorities, sound organizational management, and clear plans for measurable outcomes.
Eligibility Requirements
The Competitive Grants program is open to nonprofit organizations serving the Teton Valley community. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Must serve Teton Valley residents and communities
- Must demonstrate community need and organizational capacity
- Previous grant recipients must have submitted required reports
Grant Process
The Competitive Grants program follows an annual cycle with published deadlines. Applications are reviewed by a volunteer grants committee that evaluates each proposal based on community impact, organizational strength, and project feasibility.
- Applications open annually with published deadlines
- Volunteer grants committee reviews all proposals
- Awards announced following committee review
- Grant recipients submit progress and final reports
Apply for a Grant
Ready to apply? Check our Grant Dates & Deadlines page for the current grant cycle timeline and eligibility requirements. Contact us if you have questions about the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
Applications must be submitted online in February. Funding is subsequently available in early April, upon receipt of grant contracts for approved requests.
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.
Photographs of your project are encouraged. Grant reports are distributed to our Grants Committee for review and may factor into future grant awards.
Competitive Grants are funded by Tin Cup Business & Community Challengers, individual donors, and endowed funds held at the Community Foundation of Teton Valley.