smith family foundation

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

We welcome proposals from 501(c)(3) designated organizations in good standing that forward the mission and goals of the Foundation. Our grants are restricted to programs in Trenton, New Jersey, except for female teenage mentoring (Newark, New Jersey) and college scholarships for college bound students involved in ministry or are a special needs student across the state of New Jersey. Organizations may submit a proposal only once each calendar year. Proposals that fit the requirements may apply.

Grants We Offer:

Our Signature Grant

Forever Forward Multi-Year Grant

This grant supports grassroots nonprofit IRS designated organizations with an annual budget of $250,000 or less, have been in operation for at least 3 years, has a full time staff member or volunteer that runs the day to day operations and a working board of directors of at least 3 people.

All grant awardees must participate in our Transformational Leadership Development Program (TDLP). TDLP is designed to provided intensive technical support in the areas of leadership development, organizational and technological infrastructure, and financial sustainability.

view our 2019 awardees

CAPITAL CITY IMPACT GRANT

Each organization seeking a 1 year grant must agree to attend 3 Transformative Leadership Development workshops during the duration of their grant cycle.

SUMMER PROGRAMMING GRANT

Each organization seeking summer funding will agree to participate in one Transformative Leadership Development training.

EXTENDED SCHOOL LEARNING GRANT

This competitive grant application will open in Early October 2020 and will support 3 organizations who run both an after school and summer camp program with at least 75% of the same children in each program.

before you apply

Eligibility Requirements

Can my organization apply for multiple grants?

Organizations may apply for as many grants as appropriate, unless they are the recipient of the Forever Forward grant.

What is considered a grassroots organization?

Grassroots organizations as defined by the foundation are as follows:

Grassroots organizations are started by like-minded people who are passionate about empowering communities. They speak directly to a subsection of the community with whom are in their circle of influence. Grassroots organizations have leadership and organizational “gaps” that may hinder their growth and support from the larger community; however, these organizations have big ideas about change but little resources to become the transformative agent that they seek to be in their community. The Smith Family Foundation is seeking to provide some of these resources to organizations who further our mission to Educate, Cultivate, and Transform lives in Trenton, NJ

To be considered for grant funding, organizations must meet the following requirements:

Have non-profit, tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or 509(a) of the IRS Code and be in good standing

Be located in or provide service to communities within Smith Family Foundation service area

Fiscal stability

Address community needs related to our funding priorities

Established leadership/governance

Diverse board and staff; reflective of the community being served

Make efforts to collaborate with other groups providing similar programs or services

Include financial commitments from a variety of sources

Utilize an effective evaluation plan specific to the proposed funding opportunity/initiative

Demonstrate measurable goals and outcomes

Must have complete 501 (c)(3) designation letter

What are the Smith Family Foundations funding priorities?

EDUCATION

Academic Enrichment
College Prep
Professional Development
Extended School Time Programming
Summer Camps
Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT

Leadership Development
Homelessness
Job Training
Summer Camp/Summer Programs
Parenting Skills
Academic Enrichment

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Ministry Leadership Development
Ministry Capacity Building
Summer Bible Camp

YOUTH & FAMILIES

Mentoring (Young Women in Newark)
Youth Development
Fine & Performance Arts
Parent/Community Engagement
Scholarship for Students in Ministry

The Smith Family Foundation does not provide funding for the following:

Direct support of individuals

Endowments

School clubs/organizations, including, but not limited to bands, athletic or academic teams, booster clubs, PTO/PTA

Meals, tickets, dues, membership fees, travel, tuition, subscriptions and other tangible benefits

Childcare fees/subsidies or K-12 tuition

Sponsorships, fundraisers, races, telethons, marathons, benefits, banquets, galas, golf tournaments, festivals or other events

Feasibility studies, project research or development phases, including the cost of hiring consultants or planners

Medical research

Local programs in places other than Trenton, NJ. (with the exception to mentoring groups for teen girls in Newark, NJ)

Capital campaigns

Grant Application

CURRENTLY CLOSED