Giving Guide Grant Catalog
CFA's online grant catalog gives everyone an opportunity to support current charitable needs in our community!
What is it?
The giving guide, Community Connections, is the Foundation's grantmaking publication that features a list of local nonprofits applying for grant funding through one of the foundation's grant cycles. The list includes a brief summary of the project for which each organization is seeking funding.
How can I participate?
You can support any of the organizations by viewing the catalog and making an online donation of any amount to the causes that interest you. Or, if you're a CFA donor-advised fundholder, you can recommend a grant from your fund to any of the projects. Use the donor portal to recommend a grant, or contact Stephanie DeLaGarza at sdelagarza@cfabilene.org or 325-676-3883.
Where does my donation go? How are the grants made?
All donations will first go to the Community Foundation of Abilene. Once the online grant catalog closes and grant decisions have been finalized, CFA will present a final grant to the applicant.
Grant funding comes from three primary sources:
- Revenue from CFA's unrestricted endowment funds - Donors who establish unrestricted funds allow a CFA grant committee to determine how to grant the fund's revenue to meet current community needs.
- CFA donor-advised fundholders - Donor-advised funds give donors the flexibility to recommend grants from their fund's revenue throughout the year. These donors can also contribute grants during CFA's grant cycles.
- General donations - Anyone can make a donation to support a nonprofit project via the grant catalog. 100% of your donation will be granted to the nonprofit you choose.
The final grant includes funds allocated by a grant committee, donor-advised fund contributions, and general donations. This way, everyone in the community can be involved in boosting grant dollars for local causes!
Learn more about endowment and how grants are made here.
When is the grant catalog open?
The grant catalog is available during each of CFA's community (or discretionary) grant cycles. These grant cycles are competitive opportunities for nonprofits to apply for funding from CFA's unrestricted funds. Whenever a cycle is open and applications have been reviewed and approved, you can find the grant catalog at this link. We have two community grant cycles each year -- one in the spring and one in the fall. The Foundation may occasionally offer grant catalogs for other giving opportunities throughout the year. Join our email newsletter list to receive foundation updates.
Have questions?
We're always happy to answer! Contact us at cfa@cfabilene.org or 325-676-3883.