Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation Grant Program

The Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation (MWSF) is a private philanthropic organization committed to supporting nonprofit efforts that align with its mission to enrich and uplift the Morris County, New Jersey community. As a discretionary grantmaker, the Foundation prioritizes projects that contribute meaningfully to areas such as education, community services, human services, the environment and animal welfare, and arts and culture. MWSF maintains a focus on organizations that demonstrate measurable impact and a strong commitment to serving the region through practical, outcomes-based programming. Applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and must operate within or serve the greater Morris County area. Only one application per organization will be considered each calendar year, and organizations submitting more than one will receive reduced priority. Applications from individuals, for-profit ventures, or those pursuing political lobbying, general fundraising events, endowment campaigns, or research without clearly defined applications are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must have an active nondiscrimination policy covering both employment and service delivery. To be considered for funding, applicants must submit a complete online application through the Submittable portal during one of two annual application windows: January 1–31, 2026 for programs in education and community services, and June 1–30, 2026 for those in human services, environment and animal welfare, and arts and culture. Submissions must be completed by 11:59 PM ET on the final day of each cycle. Required documentation includes a grant narrative (which may be adapted from other applications), the organization’s EIN, leadership contacts, board details, financial statements for the past two years (audited if available), Form 990, current and prior year budgets, and projected funding needs including income sources and budget gaps. Following the submission periods, applications undergo review and site visits in the months immediately after: March–April for the January cycle, and July–August for the June cycle. Applicants selected for site visits will be contacted for scheduling. Site visits are intended to clarify questions and confirm information presented. Final recommendations will be presented to the Board on May 20 and October 21, 2026 respectively, with funding decisions communicated by June 15 and November 15, 2026. Grant agreements will be issued for successful applicants, detailing terms, reporting expectations, and fund disbursement schedules. Grant funds will be distributed in July or December 2026 based on the corresponding application cycle. Awards below $50,000 may be provided in a single payment, while larger awards may be disbursed incrementally based on progress and milestone completion. While there is no explicit matching requirement, applicants must present detailed budgets reflecting both secured and prospective funding sources to ensure project viability beyond MWSF contributions. For additional inquiries, the designated contact is Sarah Ahart, who can be reached at 908-440-7149. The Foundation encourages ongoing engagement through its website, particularly for organizations not awarded in the current cycle, and remains open to building long-term relationships to support future opportunities aligned with its mission.