Chatham Fund Grants 2025

The Chatham Fund is a town fund of The Cape Cod Foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Chatham, Massachusetts. It supports organizations that demonstrate the capacity to positively impact the local community through a variety of programs and initiatives. While applicant organizations may be located outside of Chatham, all funded programs and projects must directly benefit the residents of Chatham. Priority areas for funding include hunger relief, children’s needs, environmental protection, housing, healthy aging, transportation, and economic security, along with other pressing social needs. The purpose of The Chatham Fund is to provide financial support that strengthens existing community programs or fosters new and innovative approaches. Grants may be used for expanding proven programs, testing pilot projects, engaging in program planning and development, or strengthening organizational capacity. Funding is also available for discrete events with measurable community outcomes, acquisition of necessary equipment and technology, or communications and outreach campaigns aimed at public awareness and volunteer engagement. However, the fund does not consider applications for debt reduction, projects already completed before the grant award, capital campaigns, endowment building, or construction of monuments and memorials. Funding levels typically range between $2,500 and $5,000, with a total of approximately $30,000 awarded annually through a competitive process. Applicants must submit their proposals via The Cape Cod Foundation’s online grant management system, and organizations that already have a profile with the foundation may use their existing account. The application deadline for the 2025 cycle is Friday, September 19, 2025. Applications will be reviewed in October, with recommendations presented to The Cape Cod Foundation’s Board of Directors for final approval and subsequent disbursement of funds. The review process involves a thorough eligibility and completeness check by Cape Cod Foundation staff, followed by a detailed evaluation from The Chatham Fund grant committee. The committee is comprised of community members who assess proposals based on alignment with organizational mission, ability to deliver meaningful impact on Chatham residents, feasibility of the proposed work plan, demonstrated community need, and the applicant’s financial health, including evidence of a diverse funding base and ability to leverage additional resources. Recommendations are then forwarded to the Board of Directors for final decision-making. Grant recipients will be required to provide a brief report on their funded project by September 2026, though extensions may be granted upon request. Reporting should include both accomplishments and challenges encountered during implementation. To assist potential applicants, The Cape Cod Foundation offers multiple informational resources, including online tutorials, recorded webinars, and optional live information sessions. Additionally, four Zoom office hours are available in August and September 2025 to answer applicant questions. Attendance at these sessions is optional and does not affect grant review or selection. For inquiries, applicants may contact the foundation via email at info@capecodfoundation.org or by phone at 508-790-3040. The designated contact for this funding opportunity is Jeanne Ruckert Lovy, Director of Impact, who can be reached directly at jlovy@capecodfoundation.org. This structured process ensures transparency, community participation, and alignment with The Chatham Fund’s mission to enhance the well-being of Chatham residents.

Review tutorials, webinar, and optional Zoom sessions for guidance.