By applying for an ACF grant, you’ll be joining our nationwide Nonprofit Alliance which can magnify support for your charity. If your mission aligns with one or more of our 6 Pillars of Giving and meets the criteria below, we invite you to apply.
Organizations funded by ACF are typically grassroots community nonprofits that align with one or more of our 6 Pillars of Giving. Check out the specifics of what we look for:
Geographic Criteria:
Grantees must be primarily located in the United States but can also work in other countries. Local chapters of statewide or national organizations may apply.
Timing:
ACF grants are intended to help organizations achieve a timely and specific outcome or impact within three to six months usually as part of a long-term strategy to achieve a stated goal.
Nonprofit Status:
The organization has a 501(C)(3) charitable status or a fiscal sponsor with 501(C)(3) status. Organizations that do not yet have 501(C)(3) status may apply but may be required to secure a fiscal sponsor before receiving a grant.
One Grant Per Year:
Each organization can receive one ACF grant per year to support their core mission and their primary geography. Current grantees may be eligible for additional grant opportunities after receiving an initial ACF grant on a case-by case basis.
No More Than Three Continuous Years of Funding:
ACF welcomes applications from current grantees for up to three continuous years. After three years, we ask grantees to take a one-year break before re-applying. Grantees are eligible to re-apply after this one-year break provided that they have secured funding sources in addition to ACF support.
Budget Size:
For most grant categories, the organization should have a budget of less than $3,000,000. Some grant categories may have a lower budget limit. Emergency and disaster relief grants do not have a budget limit.
ACF values the work of all groups in social services, civic engagement and advocacy. However, we are unable to consider grants for the following expenses for Nonprofit Alliance partners:
Activities to elect specific candidates for public office
Fundraising events to support galas, auctions, parties
Feasibility studies
Capital fund drives
Travel expenses for individual speakers or conference participants
Organizations that do not comply with local, state or federal equal opportunity statutes