The Community Grants offered by the Benton Community Foundation support long-term projects that enhance the well-being of children, youth, and families in Benton County, Oregon. These grants are part of BCF’s mission to strengthen community capacity through strategic philanthropy, providing essential resources for impactful local initiatives. BCF is a private philanthropic organization serving the Benton County region and works to ensure that community needs are met through sustainable and focused investments.
The Community Grants focus on four key priority areas: Arts and Culture, Human Services, Education and Youth Development, and Community Betterment. These include initiatives such as youth musical programs, provision of school supplies and emergency food, early literacy and mentorship opportunities, and public space improvements or health and safety events. Projects can involve both capacity-building and capital components, but they must demonstrate alignment with the foundational goal of supporting children, youth, and families.
Eligibility is limited to organizations that serve Benton County, Oregon. While nonprofits are eligible, the application must not rely on fiscal sponsorship to fulfill the 501(c)(3) requirement. This restriction ensures that applicants are legally and organizationally prepared to manage the funds responsibly and implement their proposed projects directly. The fund is local in scope and excludes applicants who do not serve the Benton County area.
The 2025 cycle for the Community Grants is currently closed, with the next application period expected to open in December 2025 for the 2026 cycle. This annual recurrence establishes a predictable timeline that applicants can prepare for each year. The grant cycle follows a clear calendar structure, although no specific pre-application steps (such as LOIs or concept papers) are mentioned.
Submission is managed through BCF’s fully online application portal. Applicants can access both current application opportunities and required follow-up forms via this portal. The foundation offers support to potential applicants, and inquiries can be directed to Brittany Kennedy, the Director of Grants and Programs, by email or phone.
As part of their transparency, BCF provides examples of previous recipients on their website, offering insight into the types of projects that have historically received funding. However, evaluation criteria and application components are not explicitly outlined in the public materials, which means applicants must rely on the portal for detailed guidance once the application opens.
