Apply for Grants

The SouthCoast Community Foundation strives to ensure that our grant-making effectively meets donors’ charitable interests and addresses the community’s changing needs. We view our grants as investments in the community that should be made wisely and fairly.

The SouthCoast Community Foundation offers several competitive grant programs that invest in communities throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, intending to support nonprofit organizations’ causes in our area.

We strive to ensure that our grant-making effectively meets donors’ charitable interests and addresses the community’s changing needs. We view our grants as investments in the community which should be awarded wisely and fairly.

Grants: How to Apply

Many of our funds are what we call, advised which means they do not solicit applications for support. However, we encourage local nonprofits to regularly check the Current Grants Available list below (if none appear, none are currently available), for active grant opportunities. Once you are ready to pursue the application process, please create an account on our grant portal or sign-in to your existing account.

Grant Name
Polaroid Fund
Deadline
April 1, 2024
Type of Support
Workforce development and literacy
Apply
Other Information
Focused on New Bedford
Grant Name
Easton Legacy Fund
Deadline
April 15, 2024
Type of Support
Arts, culture, recreation and local history
Apply
Other Information
Focused on Easton
Grant Name
James Arnold Fund
Deadline
April 26, 2024
Type of Support
Immigrant-serving, food insecurity, education and youth
Apply
Other Information
Focused on New Bedford

Grant FAQ

Grants & Eligibility

How do you make grants to nonprofits?
Nonprofits from the Southeastern Massachusetts region may apply to our competitive grantmaking programs. Use our Online Grants Portal to find the programs, criteria, deadlines, and additional information on how to apply.

The majority of the SouthCoast Community Foundation’s grantmaking is recommended by advisors of our donor advised funds. There is typically no application process for these grants. Rather, the fund advisor selects eligible IRS-approved nonprofit recipients and the SouthCoast Community Foundation facilitates the grants.

I’m not a nonprofit. Can I apply for a grant?
Qualified 501(c)3 nonprofit, governmental, educational and religious organizations are eligible to apply for grants.

The SouthCoast Community Foundation does not make grants to individuals.

The SouthCoast Community Foundation is also prohibited from making grants or loans to small businesses. All grants must be used for charitable purposes.

What is a 501(c)3? How can I get one?
501(c)3 refers to the specific section of the Internal Revenue Code that defines a nonprofit organization. For more information, contact the The Legal Center for Nonprofits Inc. or IRS.gov

Can I apply for a grant from any of your Donor Advised Funds?
No, the SouthCoast Community Foundation will not provide contact information or grant distribution histories of our donor advised funds. That said, we are in frequent conversations with donors; so we encourage you to contact our programs staff to share updates, and we will consider opportunities to match your needs to donors’ interests.

Communities We Serve

What is your Service Area?
The SouthCoast Community Foundation’s service area spans 41 cities and towns in the region, with its primary funding focused on the SouthCoast communities of Greater New Bedford, Greater Fall River, and Southern Plymouth County.

Cities and towns served by the SouthCoast Community Foundation: Abington, Acushnet, Attleboro, Avon, Berkley, Bourne, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Dartmouth, Dighton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Fairhaven, Fall River, Freetown, Gosnold, Halifax, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Mansfield, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, New Bedford, North Attleboro, Norton, Plymouth, Raynham, Rehoboth, Rochester, Seekonk, Somerset, Stoughton, Swansea, Taunton, Wareham, West Bridgewater, Westport, and Whitman.

My organization isn’t located in your service area. Can I still apply for a grant?
Generally, the SouthCoast Community Foundation open grant process is restricted to communities within our service area. Search our Online Grants Portal to determine eligibility, or visit the Council on Foundations to find the community foundation serving your area.

Guidelines and Application Process

What Guidelines do you follow when awarding grants?
To decide how to invest the limited dollars for a grant program, our grants committees aim to support effective initiatives and strategies that closely align with funding opportunities.

What does the SouthCoast Community Foundation NOT fund?
For competitive grants: Each opportunity generally has specific exclusions for funding. These may include geographic restrictions, operating expenses, focus area, among others. Visit our Online Grants Portal to view our various grant opportunities.

For donor-recommended grants (non-competitive): Must be distributed to an eligible nonprofit organization.

What are my chances of receiving a grant, and how will I be notified if I receive a grant?
Competition is strong and limited funding is available. Based on your organization’s match with the program’s funding priorities, service area, and the general volume of requests, your chances may vary. Final decisions are typically announced within two months after the application deadline. You will receive an electronic notification of the grant award decision.

If my application is declined, can you tell me why?
Due to the volume of grant programs and applications, we are unable to provide feedback on individual applications beyond what is already provided within the grant notification communications.

Read inspirational stories about the good work nonprofits are doing in Southeastern Massachusetts with support from the Community Foundation and our donors.