Bama Works Fund

The Bama Works Fund is administered by the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation and funded by the Dave Matthews Band. It supports community-focused initiatives within the city of Charlottesville and the surrounding counties of Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, and Orange. The fund was created to advance local efforts that improve the well-being and quality of life in the region and has become a prominent funding source for nonprofits and public entities working on a range of social issues. The grant is open to a broad range of eligible organizations including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, religious organizations, and fiscally sponsored projects. Public schools may also apply, but each is limited to one application per cycle. Additional policies apply for applications submitted by both public and private schools, which are detailed in the Bama Works Fund Policies. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a direct benefit to the eligible geographic regions. Fiscal sponsors are required to review the foundation’s fiscal sponsorship policy and submit a signed form as part of the application process. Each year, the Bama Works Fund holds two grant cycles. The first application window runs from January 2 to February 28, with funding decisions announced in June. The second cycle opens on July 1 and closes on August 29, with award decisions communicated by December. Organizations are allowed to apply once every 12 months. Applications must be submitted through the CACF Grantee Portal, and technical support is available through the Grants Administrator if needed. A preview of the application is also available online to help applicants prepare their submissions. Award sizes for the Bama Works Fund can reach up to $10,000. The fund does not specify a minimum grant amount or require matching funds. Reporting requirements are not specified, suggesting limited post-award compliance burdens. The foundation emphasizes simplicity in process and inclusivity in access. However, the submission of a fiscal sponsorship form is a strict requirement for applicants using a sponsor. Decisions are made in June and December following each application round. Organizations are advised to plan their submission timelines accordingly. The application process is competitive, and past recipients from 2024 are publicly listed to provide context on the types of projects supported. Any questions regarding eligibility or the application process can be directed to the foundation’s grants email address at grants@cacfonline.org. For additional information, applicants are encouraged to explore the Bama Works Fund Policies and familiarize themselves with the expectations for fiscally sponsored projects. The Bama Works Fund continues to be a significant community resource, reinforcing the Dave Matthews Band’s commitment to regional philanthropy and social investment.