- Who can apply for funding?
- What grants are available to apply for?
- What if I don’t know which Priority Area to select?
- Is there a cap on Competitive Grant requests?
- How do we submit a BCF Grant Application?
- May we submit more than one application to the BCF Grant Cycle?
- Do you share our grant application with BCF donors?
- How long does the grant process take?
- Who decides if our grant request will be funded or not?
- What if my grant doesn’t get funded?
- What are the evaluation criteria?
- Do you fund staffing?
- How will we know the outcome of our grant application?
- May we contact BCF before submitting our application?
- What type of reporting is required if we receive a grant?
- Tips and Tricks
Who can apply for funding?
Organizations eligible to apply include:
- Those recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
- Schools, government agencies, and churches or religious organizations (for non-religious purposes)
- Organizations with a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
All applicants must serve Benton County and meet the following location requirements:
- Staffed organizations: Must have a physical office located in Benton County or a neighboring county (Linn, Lane, Polk, or Lincoln).
- Volunteer-led organizations: Must provide a verifiable address or demonstrate that core volunteers reside in Benton County or one of the neighboring counties listed above.
Funding is not available for:
- Organizations that discriminate based on race, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, or national origin
- Political campaigns or candidates
- Lobbying activities
- Religious organizations seeking funding for inherently religious purposes
- Private individuals
What grants are available to apply for?
You may apply for a Competitive Grant during our grant cycle (December 4, 2025 – January 19, 2026).
BCF Competitive Grants focus on local funding opportunities that are tailored to support the long term success of children, youth and families throughout Benton County.
Applicants must select one of the following priorities on the grant application:
- Arts and Culture (e.g. art programs, musical opportunities for youth)
- Human Services (e.g. school supplies, emergency food, other basic need type asks)
- Education and Youth Development (e.g. education, mentorship, early literacy, scholarships for programs)
- Community Betterment (e.g.park improvements, community health and safety programs or events)
- Elizabeth Starker Cameron Memorial Fund – One $5,700 grant for a project that promotes voting and citizenship responsibilities.
What if I don’t know which priority area to select?
You can see examples of past projects funded in each priority area here. When determining what priority area to select consider what the primary outcome of the project. Refer to your mission what does it say about your priorities.
Is there a cap on Competitive Grant requests?
Yes, the cap for 2026 is $10,000. There are two grant funding levels: grant requests of $5,000 or less and grant requests $5,001-$10,000. However, we only have $114,500 available in our awards pool. The award range is usually $3,000 to $7,000.
How do we submit a BCF Grant Application?
BCF applications are available on December 4, 2025. Applications are due no later than 5:00 pm on January 19, 2026. All BCF applications may be submitted through the online portal.
May we submit more than one application to the BCF Grant Cycle?
Organizations may submit up to two applications in this cycle. Due to the increased number of submissions, the combined total of the two requests may not exceed $20,000.
Do you share our grant application with BCF donors?
Yes, we may share the applications with our Donor Advised Fund holders and other Partners in Philanthropy. Grant applications may be shared with interested donors throughout the year.
How will we know that you’ve received our grant application?
You will receive an email when your application has been submitted.
How long does the grant process take?
Each grant request is carefully reviewed and evaluated. The process can take 7 weeks or longer. BCF staff anticipate notification of grant status will be sent mid-April.
Who decides if our grant request will be funded or not?
Your application is first reviewed by the Director of Grants and Programs to ensure all the necessary information is included. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Grants are reviewed by members of our community and forwarded by the BCF Grants Committee to the BCF Board for final approval.
What if my grant doesn’t get funded?
While we wish we could fund every request, some proposals aren’t the right fit at this time, or other priorities must take precedence. Please know that we genuinely value the work you do. We’re happy to discuss our decision and provide feedback to help strengthen future proposals. Please email Brittany Kennedy, brittany@bcfgives.org to schedule a time to chat.
What are the evaluation criteria?
Evaluators use a rubric aligned directly with the questions and sections of the application to ensure consistency and fairness.
The scoring process examines key areas such as financial information, the anticipated impact on the community, and the specific outcomes tied to the request. Each scoring component corresponds to a specific section of the application, so applicants know exactly what is being evaluated.
Narrative questions and additional guidance can be found on our website under Nonprofit Resources.
Do you fund staffing?
We will consider requests for operational support and encourage you to have a clear plan outlined for sustainability of your organization’s operations – especially when it comes to continuing salaries after BCF funding ends. Requests for operational support must also fit in one of the priority areas listed above.
How will we know the outcome of our grant application?
After final approval by the BCF Board you will be notified of your grant status by the Director of Grants and Programs. If awarded a grant you will be sent a grant acceptance agreement which will give you all the necessary information on your grant award.
May we contact BCF before submitting our application?
The Director of Grants and Programs is happy to have an informal conversation with you about your project or application. You may email her at brittany@bcfgives.org
What type of reporting is required if we receive a grant?
Within thirty (30) days of the grant termination date, or earlier provided the funds have been expended, you will be required to submit a written report to BCF describing the impact of your project. Impact Report forms will be assigned to you through the portal. If you are unsure who the Imapct Report form was assigned to, please email Brittany Kennedy, Director of Grants and Programs, brittany@bcfgives.org
Tips and Tricks
We wish we could say “yes” to everyone, but that’s just not possible. Our advice? Tell a strong story — show us what the world looks like with (and without) your work. Highlight the impact. Be real and ditch the script. Have a clear vision. Be upfront about what you need and what you’ve learned. Follow through. And don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’re here to support you, so reach out anytime.