Grantseekers
Increasing funding to reservations is a strategic investment in community-driven systems change.
Our approach is uniquely place-based, recognizing that priorities emerge through relationships with leaders who understand their community’s unique needs and challenges. We are here to bear witness and leverage resources, but mostly we aim to get out of the way and let our partners envision and execute the systems change they see possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What organizations are eligible for grants?
FCV funds 501(c)(3) charities only. Individuals are not eligible. We only fund in the U.S. with a focus on Montana and Wyoming. Majority of our grants go to non-profit organizations based on Native American reservations.
2. What are FCV’s focus areas?
Foundation for Community Vitality grants at the intersection of Environmental Health, Economic Opportunity, and Social Capital all guided by local Leadership and sustained by community. We do not have any programmatic focuses, and we will support the direction of the leadership, allowing those on the ground to direct the funding requests. We do not support capital campaigns
3. Why are FCV grants by invitation only?
As a small foundation, we feel we cannot adequately conduct our work with organizations that are not directly familiar to us. Our hope is to understand through positive relationships what communities, not-for-profit organizations, and leaders want to do to improve community vitality. Please contact us, we will schedule a time to learn more about you and your organization. These introductions are important and we value your time and expertise.
4. Does FCV support immediate needs?
Yes, we recognize there are some needs that if not resolved immediately then they perpetuate a problem and prevent other solutions to come. FCV can fund up to $2,500 in immediate funds. We can get this to you ASAP.
5. Does FCV have granting cycles?
No, FCV grants all year round.
6. What is a typical grant size?
We typically grant between $10,000 and $30,000 and up to 10% of an organization’s general operating budget. Rarely do we award grants that exceed $75,000.
7. Does FCV award multi-year grants?
Occasionally, but only after FCV and the requesting organization have had a long-standing and transparent relationship.
8. What kind of reporting is required if a grant is awarded?
We ask all partners who receive funding to review their granting goals that they set at the beginning of the grant. We hope that this is a tool for them and us to understand what the initial objective was compared to the journey that took place.