About the Grantmakers
The Loudoun Community Cabinet was established in 2019 as a component fund of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties. The Loudoun Community Cabinet is a group of philanthropists who have pooled their resources to address unmet human service needs in Loudoun County through high-impact grantmaking as community investors.

Grantmaking Requirements
The Loudoun Community Cabinet seeks to support and invest in Loudoun human services nonprofit organizations that need financial support to withstand financial crisis caused by COVID-19.

To be considered, organizations must (1) provide critical services to vulnerable populations in Loudoun County (vulnerable populations include people with disabilities, older adults, children or youth, people of color, English language learners, unemployed/underemployed, or housing-insecure or low-income residents) and (2) can demonstrate significant financial need directly resulting from lost income or increased demand for services in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Two sources of funding are available to an applicant: (A) general support funding and/or (B) capacity building funding. An applicant may apply for one or both sources of funding.

(A) General support funding will be considered for general operations, support, and programmatic sustainability. This grant program is designed for organizations that are experiencing and can demonstrate acute financial hardship caused by COVID-19.

(B) Capacity building funding will be considered to strengthen or expand internal operations in order to respond to increased or new demands related to COVID-19. Examples of capacity building initiatives include, but are not limited to:

  • Engaging with consulting services to address: fundraising/development, improved or revamped operational practices, or dynamic strategic planning during a crisis;
  • Hiring additional contract positions to expand/strengthen the organization’s infrastructure or capacity, either administratively or programmatically;
  • Purchasing technology or equipment that will expand/strengthen the organization’s infrastructure or capacity; and,
  • Renting or leasing space that will allow for organizational expansion or improved service delivery in the context of meeting needs related to COVID-19.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity in good standing with the IRS.
  • Applicants must be located in and provide human services in Loudoun County to vulnerable populations as described in the Grantmaking Requirements.
  • Successful applicants will provide transparent financial information to clarify need for general support funding. A clear understanding of pre-COVID-19 income and expenses, current COVID-19 income and expense circumstances, and use of or current standing of reserves, or loans such as PPP will be essential.
  • Successful applicants receiving a capacity building grant will have a clear need stated and strong preliminary plan for addressing that need. For instance, if a review of operations, staffing, and management is desired, the applicant should make the case for its need and hoped for outcomes.

Application Deadlines and Reviews
Applications must be submitted electronically through https://www.funding.communityfoundationlf.org. Applications will be accepted starting Friday, July 17, and are due by Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 5:00 p.m. The Loudoun Community Cabinet members will review applications and make funding recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors for approval.

Pre-Application Workshops
Two optional pre-application workshops will be held online for interested applicants: Friday, July 24, 2:00 p.m. and Monday, July 27, 4:00 p.m. Both workshops will cover the same material; applicants may select either workshop to attend.

To attend the July 24 workshop, applicants must register here to get the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rc-6tpjsuG9Mbfv23xmjyMdwXvSOEYTmW.

(A recording of the July 24 workshop can be viewed here).

To attend the July 27 workshop, applicants must register here to get the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscuytrDwjGdezRHKZ9WSRYFssa2FyKnnn.

(A recording of the July 27 workshop can be viewed here).

Grant Size, Notification, Final Reporting
General support funding will be considered up to $100,000 per grantee to offset lost income due to COVID-19. Capacity building funding will be considered up to $30,000 per grantee. The maximum amount that could be granted is $130,000 for organizations seeking both general support funding and capacity building funding (although it is not required that applicants seek both types of funding). It is estimated that between one and four nonprofits will be selected for funding. NOTE: Funding is finite; please budget your request accordingly to allow as many successful applicants as possible.

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application by August 26, 2020. Grantees will be required to expend all grant funds within one year of the grant award. Grantees will submit a final grant report by August 31, 2021. Grantees also may be sought out for informal verbal updates on status and progress.

Application
To view the full grant guidelines and to access the online application, visit: https://funding.communityfoundationlf.org

Questions?
Contact Nicole Acosta, Director of Grants and Nonprofit Programs, at [email protected] or 703-779-3505 x3.