The Falmouth Fund Grants 2025

The Falmouth Fund was established in 2009 as a town fund of The Cape Cod Foundation to provide a responsive resource for the residents of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Since its inception, the fund has distributed over 1.3 million dollars in grants to more than 100 organizations, supporting a range of community needs. Its purpose is to strengthen the vibrancy of the town by funding initiatives in the areas of health and human services, education, youth and recreation, arts and culture, and the environment. The Fund emphasizes supporting innovative ideas that foster collaboration and have a lasting impact on the local community. It also highlights its commitment to values of diversity, equity, and inclusion, encouraging proposals that demonstrate these principles. The Falmouth Fund supports projects that extend beyond basic town services, aiming to enhance Falmouth’s character and values. Examples of eligible projects include existing programs with proven success, pilot initiatives, one-time community benefit projects, and strategic capacity-building efforts that position organizations for long-term success. General operating support may be considered for organizations that have previously received funding, provided they can demonstrate secure leadership and evidence of meaningful community impact in 2026. Funding cannot be used for debt reduction, completed projects, capital campaigns, endowments, monuments, scholarships, fundraising events, or basic maintenance and repair. Educational initiatives must serve an entire grade level or school and be accompanied by a letter of support from the superintendent. The Fund typically receives more applications than it can support, awarding approximately half of applicants. Awards range from $2,000 to $10,000, with an average between $3,000 and $4,000. Fewer, larger grants are prioritized to maximize impact. Successful proposals often include collaboration with other organizations and demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period. For staff positions funded through grants, organizations must explain long-term sustainability. Financial health is a critical evaluation factor, requiring applicants to submit organizational budgets or use the foundation’s required budget template to illustrate income, expenses, and diverse revenue streams. Eligibility is open to 501(c)(3) public charities, organizations with a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3), public and private schools for projects outside regular budgets (with required superintendent approval), and faith-based organizations as long as services are non-religious, universally accessible, and do not involve proselytizing. All proposals must directly serve the residents of Falmouth. Projects involving schools or other community partners must include letters of support or collaboration. The Falmouth Fund is rarely the sole funder for any project, though single-source funding may be acceptable if applicants demonstrate broad financial stability. Applications must be submitted through The Cape Cod Foundation’s online grant management system. The application period closes on September 26, 2025. Proposals will be reviewed in October and November by the Grant Review Committee and recommendations will be presented to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Award notifications will be issued in December 2025, with grants disbursed in January 2026. Grantees must submit a final narrative and financial report by September 2026 in order to be considered for future funding. Extensions may be requested if additional time is needed to complete the report. Applicants are encouraged to review the available grant tutorials, guidelines, and webinars provided by The Cape Cod Foundation. The foundation also offers open Zoom office hours and information sessions for applicants seeking additional guidance. While attendance at these sessions has no bearing on funding decisions, they are opportunities for organizations to clarify application requirements. For questions, applicants may contact Jeanne Ruckert Lovy, Director of Impact at The Cape Cod Foundation, via email at jlovy@capecodfoundation.org or by phone at 508-790-3040. General inquiries can also be directed to info@capecodfoundation.org.

Submit complete applications with aligned budgets; demonstrate sustainability, collaboration, and diverse funding streams; ensure clarity of request.