Wyoming Community Foundation Grants

The Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF) General Grants program is designed to support nonprofit organizations operating within the state of Wyoming. WYCF is a philanthropic institution that seeks to enhance the quality of life for Wyoming residents through strategic grantmaking. It emphasizes community-led solutions, collaborative partnerships, and long-term impact. Organizations that propose sustainable interventions to address pressing local challenges are prioritized in the grant evaluation process. The purpose of the General Grants program is to address identified community needs in ways that yield lasting benefits. Applicants are encouraged to present initiatives that not only solve specific problems but also build upon existing local resources and capabilities. WYCF gives additional consideration to proposals that demonstrate collaborative efforts with other nonprofits or agencies to avoid duplication of services and maximize community impact. The foundation also looks favorably upon organizations that can leverage WYCF funding to secure other sources of support, either through matching contributions or future fundraising. WYCF places spending limitations on grant use. While general operations and programs that align with community needs are eligible for support, the foundation assigns low priority to proposals for block grants, capital campaigns, annual campaigns, debt retirement, and one-time special events. Additionally, WYCF prohibits funding for lobbying efforts and does not make grants to individuals. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations, as grants to individuals are not permitted. Each organization may submit only one application per deadline and must submit a final report before becoming eligible to apply again. Furthermore, a grantee is limited to applying once per calendar year based on the date of their previous application submission. For example, if a grantee applied in March 2023 and received funds in June 2023, they would not be eligible to reapply until March 2024 unless granted specific permission to do so. The General Grants program operates on a biannual schedule. Applications are accepted by March 15 and September 15 each year. If the 15th falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date moves to the following business day. Applicants are notified of funding decisions on June 15 for March submissions and on December 15 for September submissions. As the program is recurring, applicants can anticipate the same deadlines in future cycles. Organizations are encouraged to plan accordingly based on these cycles, and WYCF maintains a one-application-per-deadline rule. For further information or assistance, interested applicants may contact Cassandra Hunter, WYCF Programs Associate, via email at cassandra@wycf.org. WYCF also offers Office Hours for applicants seeking guidance. These can be scheduled through a dedicated platform for further support in preparing proposals or clarifying requirements. Specialized grant programs may have different deadlines, so organizations are advised to review all WYCF grant opportunities to determine the best fit.