Competitive Grant Programs: FAQs

GENERAL

 Who is eligible to apply for a grant?

• 501(c)(3) public charities
• Organizations serving a charitable purpose that have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) public charity.
• Faith-based organizations. We will consider proposals if: (1) services benefit all, regardless of religion; (2) services provided are not religious in nature; and (3) there is no proselytizing associated with the service.
• Civic organizations. Proposals must be project-based and of a charitable nature; the organization must have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• Public and private schools. We will only fund projects that exceed the school’s budget; applicant must have a letter of support from the fiscal head of the school. Some grants do not fund schools. Check the guidelines for specific eligibility.
• Other government agencies with project-based proposals. Applicants must have a letter of support from the fiscal head of the agency.

What does The Cape Cod Foundation support?
The Cape Cod Foundation’s grantmaking program is broad; we support all areas of need in the community. The Foundation’s primary service area is Barnstable County. We are particularly interested in supporting nonprofit initiatives that respond to our  Programmatic Priorities.

What is a discretionary grant?
A discretionary grant is a grant that The Cape Cod Foundation has created to respond to a community need. Most discretionary grants are competitive grants – you will find them under the Receive > Competitive Grants section of our website.

One way we accomplish our mission is by developing permanent and flexible endowment funds. We use these funds to create grant opportunities to respond to the existing and emerging needs of the community. Each year’s grant offerings are based on these needs, and the availability of funds, which can vary in any given year.

How do you determine which discretionary grants to offer?
This process can vary, but each year, we consider input such as:

• Strategic imperatives and desired impact as established by the board of directors
• Feedback from our community partners regarding needs in Barnstable County
• Volunteer, committee and donor input
• Staff impressions and reported outcomes/impact of previous grant programs
• Other opportunities or community context when applicable

We then assess donor interestintent,and available funds by reviewing available Field of Interest or other agency funds.

Finally, we determine how to design grants that respond to these needs. The name of the grant (e.g., Capacity Building, Open Door, Women & Girls) often speaks directly to the impact we are trying to make.

How are discretionary grants funded?
Grants and Funds are two separate things. In most cases, discretionary grants do not have a named fund that supports them. For example, there is no “open door fund” that supports Open Door Grants. Instead, they are funded by one or more of our Field of Interest funds, which are funds developed by donors with an interest in a specific subject area such as Arts, Health and Human Services or the Environment. For example, you might receive a Capacity Building Grant that is funded by two or three separate funds. These funds will be named in your grant award letter.

It’s important to note that, while donor-advised funds may supplement a discretionary grant awarded by the Foundation, donor-advised funds are not used as a primary source of discretionary or competitive grantmaking.

Can organizations apply for donor-advised funding?
Donor-advised funds are distinctly different from the funds we use for discretionary grants. Some donor-advised funds have agreed to review requests. Other donors have not because their grantmaking has specific charitable objectives or has been established for a specific purpose. If a donor-advised fundholder requests information regarding your organization, we will contact you. It’s a good idea to share with your own donors that gifts from donor-advised funds are welcome.

Are the Kelley Foundation and The Cape Cod Foundation the same?  I see they are both on the grant portal.
No. The Cape Cod Foundation and the Kelley Foundation are separate and handle their grantmaking separately. We do share the same grant portal however, so when you are applying to a grant, make sure you know if you’re applying to Kelley or The Cape Cod Foundation. It is common to have more than one proposal submitted at the same time, and you should be able to see them both in your grant portal.

It is not possible to submit just one proposal for both Kelley and The Cape Cod Foundation. Each requires a separate submission.

For more information on The Kelley Foundation, visit their website. For more information on The Cape Cod Foundation grants, visit here.

Why were Program Grants discontinued?
Our strategy has been moving toward Capacity Building and making fewer, larger grants for greater impact. However, The Cape Cod Foundation has always had some funds reserved for smaller grants. The grants have had several names over the years, including Program Grants. In 2023, the Foundation retooled the program – still small grants, but with the name Open Door Grants. Naming them Open Door reinforced the goal – to engage and support smaller organizations and nonprofits as well as those newer to us. Receiving one of these grants is often a great way to get to know the Foundation, and for us to know your work. See our grants page for current offerings and specific eligibility criteria.

How do I contact someone at The Cape Cod Foundation about my organization and/or about a grant opportunity?
First, read through this FAQ and the grant guidelines carefully. You can also view a prerecorded webinar or attend a grant information session, if one is scheduled.

If you need to contact someone, use the name and email or meeting link provided on the grant guidelines. Or contact info@capecodfoundation.org and ask for a member of the program team. You can also view team names and contact information on the website.

GRANTS

What grants are available?
For a list of The Cape Cod Foundation’s current grantmaking programs, including guidelines, deadlines, and links to the online application, CLICK HERE.

What if my proposal does not fit with any of the grants offered?
Each year, we receive many more applications than can be funded and we do not always have a grant opportunity that aligns with every organization’s needs. If you are not sure where your proposal fits into the Foundation’s grantmaking, read through the guidelines of current grantmaking opportunities, watch our webinar, sit in on a drop-in Coffee-Chat, and/or subscribe to our newsletter to be aware of opportunities that may come up in the future. Contact the Foundation with further questions.

What is the grant review process and who reviews applications?
The Cape Cod Foundation’s staff initially screens applications for eligibility and completeness, following our board-approved due-diligence policy. Most grants are then evaluated by an appropriate committee, comprised of knowledgeable community members, Board Members, and/or Foundation staff. The Foundation seeks guidance from content experts, as necessary. All grant recommendations are reviewed by The Cape Cod Foundation’s Board of Directors for final approval.

What are the criteria for grants?

• Clear objectives that relate to the applicant’s organizational mission
• Evidence of the organization’s ability or experience to implement the proposed work
• A thoughtful, practical work plan for achieving the objectives and sustaining the impact.
• Community need or opportunity for the proposed work
• Organizational health: capacity of the organization, staff, and volunteer leadership to complete the work.
• Financial health: a diverse and balanced funding strategy and the ability to leverage other resources and revenue.
• A plan to sustain the work.
• A clear and well-scaled plan to measure the impact of the proposed work.

What will strengthen an application?
Compliance with all requirements, evidence of collaboration, creativity, a clear and well-stated plan, and significant community impact. Be sure to review the specific criteria for each program carefully.

Remember that you do not need to use all the space provided. Answer the questions and tell your organization’s story as simply and clearly as possible.

For grantwriting tips provided by the Foundation, CLICK HERE

Why was my proposal declined?
Our grants are primarily funded through individual Field of Interest Funds, and sometimes available funds do not match proposals received. Demand for grant dollars is increasing and not every proposal can be funded, no matter how worthy. If you have specific questions about your proposal, contact the Foundation.

When will I be notified of a decision?
There are specific deadlines included in each grant program’s guidelines.

I have more than one idea for a grant proposal, can I submit a draft for feedback?
No, we do not accept incomplete applications, nor do we review or comment on drafts.

Can I apply to more than one grant program?
In many cases, yes. Specific restrictions may apply. Review the guidelines carefully.

How will I know if a grant was awarded?
For most discretionary grants, you will receive an email, followed by a mailed letter and check. The letter will state the grant amount, funds that contributed to the grant and will contain information about accepting the award. You can also view the status of all applications on the grants portal.

To avoid delays, make sure the contact information and mailing address in your application is accurate.

AFTER RECEIVING A GRANT

How do I know which funds supported my grant?
Your grant award letter will specify which fund (or funds) comprised your grant. For example, it might say, “You received an Open Door Grant from The Smith Fund of the Cape Cod Foundation and the Environment Fund of The Cape Cod Foundation.” This way you know that your grant (called “Open Door”) was supported with dollars from two funds – Smith and Environment.

If I receive an award, can I apply again in the next year?
In most cases if you receive an award, you must wait at least one year to reapply to that specific grant again. Also, for us to consider a new grant application, all your prior required reporting must be submitted and up to date in our system. Review the guidelines for the specific grant you are interested in because each grant may have slightly different limitations.

I am not able to use the grant funds as originally stated in my application. What should I do?
In the event you are not able to use the grant funds as stated, you must contact the Foundation as soon as possible.  Depending on the circumstances , you be asked to submit a reallocation request and/or extension request.

How do I complete a grant report?
We like to keep track of the accomplishments and good work of our grantees, along with the challenges they are facing. Not all grants require reporting, and we try to minimize work for our grantees. Please refer to your award letter for the designated purpose of the grant and reporting requirements, if applicable. If you have a grant report due, you will be able to view it on the grants portal once your grant is awarded.

Does The Cape Cod Foundation use my organization’s name in their publicity?
As part of our responsibility to be transparent funders, we announce a summary of our grantees and their corresponding grant amounts. This list is shared on our website and sometimes in our e-newsletter.

Typically, we derive the organization name from the application. If any changes to what is provided in the grant application occur post-award, or if you have questions about how we will use your organization name on the website, please contact the Foundation as soon as possible.

From time to time, the Foundation also highlights grantee profiles in our newsletter. The Foundation will contact a grantee in advance to request permission to do so and confirm content prior to any publicity beyond listing the name of the organization and grant amount.

For more information about how to publicize your grant, see Resources for Recipients.

APPLICATION PROCESS

What is the grant portal?
The grant portal is the online grant management system we use for discretionary and competitive grants from The Cape Cod Foundation. We use the terms grant portal and grant management system interchangeably. If you don’t have a profile already, you should log in and create a profile for your organization.

How can I get help with logging in or using the portal?
Once logged in, you will be able to view grant opportunities and can begin or Submit your application. Remember that you can save and come back to your application as a draft, before hitting submit.

You can find specific instructions for establishing an account HERE.

You can find general application tips HERE.

If you have not previously used this system, please watch this tutorial video in advance. If you have previously used our grant management system, you do not need to create a new profile or organization. Simply log in and get started.

Detailed information on the application process and grant portal is available in the Resources for Applicants section of the website.

If you need help logging in, contact info@capecodfoundation.org.

Can I look at the application before deciding to apply?
Yes. You can log into the portal and open the application at any time after the application period begins. You can view the questions, save progress, go back, make edits, etc. Your application is not considered until you hit the “submit” button. Once you do hit submit, you cannot make further changes.

Should I use my personal email to log in?
Every organization handles this differently and it’s your decision what email to use. We suggest using an organizational email address that is generic such as “office@yourorganization.org” or “Info@yourorganization.org” and making the password available to more than one person. Then, if a personnel change occurs, it is easier for the new person to access the account, see past proposals, reports due, etc.

If you are having trouble logging in, please do not create a duplicate account for your organization. Follow the prompts to reset your password. Contact info@capecodfoundation.org if you are having trouble.

Grant updates are sent to the email address on file, so it’s a good idea to log in once a year or so to check your account to make sure contact names and email and physical addresses are correct.

How do I use the Philanthropy MA Budget Template?
Please watch this video for advice on best practices while using the Philanthropy MA Budget Template, the template we use for most of our grant offerings. Please note that in most cases we do not use the entire Philanthropy MA application – just the budget template. Feel free to contact us with more specific budget-related questions.

Can I print out my application and/or previous applications submitted?
Yes. Click on the application you want to print and see the Download icon on the top right of the screen.

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