What We Fund? A Thriving Community.

Our results-based grantmaking framework enables us to make more focused funding decisions and measure their impact in our five funding priority areas:

Our Grants Process

One of the ways RCCF helps to build a healthy and thriving community is through its competitive grants program, offered once a year. This program is funded by the generosity of donors who have created flexible funds to respond to community needs as they change or emerge over time. It is available to eligible 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and agencies providing programs that directly impact Lancaster, Middlesex and Northumberland counties and improve the quality of life for their residents.

In some cases, RCCF may take a more proactive approach to addressing important community issues. The Foundation will seek to identify community initiatives that advance solutions to our community’s greatest challenges using innovative strategies and a collaborative spirit. The foundation encourages grant requests that are innovative, collaborative, measurable, and sustainable.

Grant requests often exceed the funds that are available. In 2021, the foundation awarded over $845,000 in competitive grants. Please carefully review the deadlines and grant criteria noted below.

See Recent Grants

How to Apply

Eligibility

Proposals are accepted from 501(c)(3) charitable organizations serving Lancaster, Middlesex or Northumberland counties.
Note: To be considered, organizations are required to upload an operating budget, the most recently filed (within the last two years) IRS Form 990, a Financial Statement or Audit, and a list of current board members. If you are an organization that does not have the required documents listed here, please contact John Falk at jfalk@cfrichmond.org with any questions or to receive further instructions.
Organizations are limited to competitive grant support one time in a calendar year. From time to time, exceptions may be made if RCCF extends an invitation or undertakes a special initiative.
Organizations serving Middlesex County and applying for larger, high-impact grants are strongly encouraged to contact Lincoln Boykin to discuss grant guidelines and eligibility.

Grant Priorities

We focus on four areas of community life that are most likely to produce positive and lasting change in the area served by RCCF.

We work closely with our grantees to advance these goals:

Community Vibrancy: Our goal is for community members to access and appreciate arts and cultural opportunities.
Economic Prosperity: Our goal is for our region's resources to be sustainable and our residents to be economically stable and secure.
Educational Success: Our goal is for young people to achieve in school, engage in their community and be prepared for the workforce.
Environmental Stewardship: Our goal is to foster collaboration among local residents and organizations to promote actions that will have a beneficial effect on the health of the natural environment.
Health & Wellness: Our goal is for community members to be safe and healthy.

Grant Amount

Grants typically range from $2,500 to $50,000. Larger grants may be awarded based on funding and focus area. For more information on an appropriate request amount, please contact the Foundation office (804) 436-1600.

Timeline

Proposals are due by 4:30pm on the last Friday of April.

Grant announcements are made in June.

All grant requests are submitted through an online grants system. Paper copies or emailed files will not be accepted.

If you have applied to the foundation in the past, please enter your email address and password to access your account and begin the application. If not, please click on "Create New Account."

If you have any questions about the online application process, please contact Lincoln Boykin.

For best practices in submitting a proposal, as well as understanding the grant application questions, please review "Preparing Your Grant Proposal."

Access online grants system

Questions?

Lincoln Boykin
Director of Affiliate Foundations
804-436-1600
email Lincoln