Bunbury Fund Grant - Planning Grants

The Bunbury Fund, supported by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, aims to bolster the capacity of non-profit organizations in central New Jersey, particularly Mercer County, enabling them to effectively pursue their missions and achieve sustainable organizational maturity. The foundation's core mission revolves around "capacity building," which is defined as work that enhances an organization's ability to deliver its mission with increased confidence. This strategic alignment ensures that grants directly contribute to the long-term effectiveness and stability of recipient organizations. The fund targets non-profit organizations that operate and provide services within the geographic region covered by the Princeton Area Community Foundation. This includes Mercer County, Eastern Bucks County (PA), Northern Burlington County (NJ), Southern Hunterdon County (NJ), Southern Middlesex County (NJ), and Southern Somerset County (NJ). The primary impact goal is to strengthen the ability of these non-profits to "do their best work" by empowering them with the necessary resources and strategies. The fund encourages projects that prioritize anti-racism strategies and embed racial equity at the core of their work, signifying a commitment to inclusive and equitable community development. The Bunbury Fund offers various grant types with specific focuses. One-year capacity-building grants, up to $50,000, support areas such as board governance, leadership succession planning, strategic partnerships, scenario planning, systems upgrades, racial equity and inclusion practices, human resources, and technology improvements. Multi-year capacity-building grants, up to $150,000 over three years, are designed for comprehensive, phased projects that require extended development for organizational effectiveness. Additionally, planning grants of up to $10,000 are available to help organizations evaluate the resources needed for more extensive capacity-building initiatives, acting as an initial step in assessing viability. The expected outcomes include enhanced organizational effectiveness, improved service delivery, and a greater ability for non-profits to achieve their missions with confidence. Measurable results would stem from the specific capacity-building areas addressed by the grants, such as improved governance structures, stronger leadership, more efficient systems, and the successful implementation of racial equity strategies. The foundation's strategic priority is to empower non-profits through capacity building, operating on the theory of change that by strengthening the internal capabilities of these organizations, they will be better equipped to serve their communities and create lasting, positive impact, particularly through the lens of racial equity.