Community & Impact Grant

The Community & Impact Grant, administered by the Martha’s Vineyard Community Foundation, supports nonprofit organizations serving the Island community of Martha’s Vineyard. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life on the Island by providing resources to projects and programs that address key local needs. With funding sourced from individual donors, families, and institutions, the Foundation focuses on strengthening the social, cultural, and environmental fabric of the Island through strategic grantmaking. The Community & Impact Grant is designed to support not-for-profit organizations that are either based on Martha’s Vineyard or have a long-standing history of serving the Island. Organizations must possess IRS 501(c)(3) status or its equivalent. While off-Island applicants are permitted, they must demonstrate a clear commitment to providing services on the Island with a direct benefit to the local community. New nonprofits are advised to wait until they have at least one full year of operational and financial history before applying. In 2025, grant awards range between $1,000 and $25,000. The Foundation emphasizes impact and clarity of objectives, especially for awards at the upper limit. Grants are available only for projects or programs, not general operating support, and large-scale capital construction is excluded from funding eligibility. However, small renovation and equipment acquisition projects may be considered. In 2024, 46 organizations received grants totaling approximately $530,000, with an average award of $11,500. Applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s official online form. Letters or other submission formats are not accepted. Incomplete applications will be deferred until all required materials are submitted. Past grantees must submit both narrative and financial reports for any prior awards before becoming eligible for new funding. Applicants can preview the 2025 application questions via the Foundation’s website to assess suitability. The review process is handled by Foundation staff and the Board of Directors. Applicants may be contacted for additional information or informal meetings to clarify project goals and anticipated impact. Applications are judged on clarity of outcomes, scale of anticipated community benefit, alignment of funding requested to project scope, and target populations served. All applicants will be notified of funding decisions in mid-November 2025. The funding period for successful projects is one year. The deadline for submission is Monday, September 29, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. EST. While emergency requests can be considered outside the standard grant cycle, such discussions must be initiated directly with the Program Manager. The designated contact for questions and support during the application process is Elizabeth Bennett, who can be reached at elizabethbennett@marthasvineyardcf.org or by phone at 508-338-4665. The application cycle occurs annually.

Applications must be complete and submitted online. Incomplete applications will be deferred. Early outreach to Program Manager is encouraged. Final reports on previous funding must be submitted to be eligible.