The staff and trustees of the Smith Family Foundation welcomes 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.
We fund Grassroots organizations in 3 categories:
Forever Forward Grants – Each organization seeking 3 year grants must be willing to participate in our Transformative Leadership Development Program during the entire life of the grant cycle.
One Year Grants – 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 – Each organization seeking summer funding will agree to participate in one Transformative Leadership Development training.
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
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
Organizations may apply for as many grants as appropriate, unless they are the recipient of the Forever Forward grant.
Eligibility requirements
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
Funding Limitations
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