Competitive Grant Cycle Guidelines

The following guidelines apply to all competitive grant cycles at the Eau Claire Community Foundation (ECCF).

In addition, each grant cycle has guidelines specific to that grant program. Please refer to the appropriate section below for the guidelines that apply to each grant cycle. 

Eligibility 

  • ECCF provides grants to nonprofit agencies that demonstrate a significant impact in the Eau Claire community. Preference is given to organizations located within the Eau Claire area.
  • Applicants must submit evidence of 501(c)(3) or 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) tax status, or another qualified 501(c)(3) organization must agree to serve as fiscal agent. Applications from tax-exempt entities such as government and religious organizations also are accepted.
  • Grants are awarded for current expenditures, not for obligations previously incurred.
  • ECCF supports projects which meet important community needs and do not duplicate existing services.
  • ECCF does not make grants to organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, familial status, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, lawful sources of income, national origin or any other discriminatory practice prohibited by state or federal law

Application Procedures 

  • Each organization may submit only one application per grant cycle.
  • Application forms and timelines are available on the Grant Opportunities page for up-to-date instructions and information.
  • Grants are made for one year only. Requests for multi-year grants are not accepted.
  • Applicants must notify ECCF if they receive funding for the same purpose as their ECCF grant request while awaiting a funding decision.
  • A grant acceptance agreement signed by the grantee organization’s president, executive director or designee must be submitted prior to the release of ECCF funds.
  • Grant money must be used for its approved purpose within the grant period. If an organization is unable to use the money according to its original purpose by the end of the grant period, it must submit a letter of request for an extension or fund redirection to the ECCF Board of Trustees no later than 60 days before the end of the grant period. If the request is not made or is denied, the organization may be asked to return the grant funds.

Grantmaking Priorities 

ECCF favors innovative proposals that: 

  • Promote collaboration and reduce duplication of services.
  • Build upon the strengths of the community so it may respond more effectively to local needs.
  • Apply ECCF’s resources optimally to meet important community needs.
  • Demonstrate an urgent and immediate need for funding.
  • Collaborate with other organizations in developing projects.

Grants awarded through a competitive grant cycle should not be used for the following: 

  • Previously incurred expenses.
  • Direct grants to individuals, annual campaigns or lobbying.
  • Contributions to endowment funds, contingency funds or reserves
  • Sectarian (religious) programs if the program participation requires membership in the religious group or commitment to specific beliefs prescribed by the religious group.
  • Organizations operated primarily for the benefit of their own membership.
  • Payment of interest or taxes.

Please note: Requests that seem repetitive (i.e., the same use year after year) are generally not prioritized for funding.

Generally, ECCF does not fund applications with other Foundations as fiscal agents.

Follow-Up Requirements 

  • Site visits may be requested.
  • A final report on all funded grant proposals is required within 30 days of the grant period’s end. Late or missing reports will make the grantee ineligible for another ECCF competitive grant for at least one year.
  • Other reports on project status may be requested by ECCF.
  • Publicity requirements are detailed in the grant acceptance agreement. Review the Grant Reporting and Publicity Guidelines on the Grant Opportunities page of the website for more information.

Guidelines that Apply to Specific Grant Cycles

The following are guidelines specific to each grant program. Please click on a grant program below for more details.

Community Grant Cycle

The Community Grant Cycle supports grants to nonprofits that serve Eau Claire and its surrounding area in the following giving categories:

  1. Arts and Culture – Supports programs and organizations that enhance the quality of life in our community through music, visual and performing arts, literature, and museums.
  2. Education – Supports programs that provide instruction for children and/or adults as well as programs that offer community development opportunities.
  3. Health and Human Services – Supports programs that fill important needs for people of all ages and abilities, such as basic health services, food, shelter, safety, accessibility, and clothing.
  4. Nature and Recreation – Supports programs that improve the quality of our natural resources, meet the needs of animals, or provide opportunities for children and adults to engage in sports, fitness, and recreational activities.

Nonprofits may apply for an Operations grant to meet expenses such as salary, rent and utilities. Operations grants are NOT intended to be an ongoing source of funding. Rather, they’re intended to support nonprofits during times of transition, unexpected revenue loss or unusually high expenses.

ECCF will accept only one Program or Asset or Operations grant application per organization per Community Grant Cycle. Nonprofits should identify their organization’s funding priority and complete the appropriate application.

Healthier Together Grant Cycle

(formerly known as The Community Health Endowment Grant Cycle)

The Healthier Together Grant Cycle awards grants to organizations in the Eau Claire area whose programs address health needs and reduce health disparities. This grant cycle does not support general community needs such as the arts, community development, animal care and general education. In addition, grants may not be used to support any request that does not align with Catholic values, including abortion, contraception, assisted suicide, IVF, or embryonic stem cell research.

Physicians’ Community Impact Fund

The Physicians’ Community Impact Fund (PCIF) serves the Eau Claire area by awarding grants to organizations whose programs focus on health needs. Nonprofits may request one grant of up to $20,000. PCIF grants support programs in the following areas on a yearly rotating basis:

Mental Health and Wellness | 2027 grant year

Access to Healthcare | 2028 grant year

Health and Education Advocacy | 2029 grant year

Hospice/End of Life | 2030 grant year

Preventive Health | 2031 grant year

The Royal CU and ECCF Nonprofit Professional Development Grant Cycle

Grants awarded through this grant cycle help nonprofit staff and Board members attend trainings that provide crucial education. Grants may also help nonprofits implement strategic planning sessions. Nonprofits may request one grant of up to $500 each year.

William A. Bingham Grant Cycle

The William A. Bingham Grant Cycle, supported by the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund, provides high-impact grants of up to $100,000 to support a diverse array of local nonprofits, all of which are working to improve the Eau Claire area’s quality of life. Previous recipients of grants from the William A. Bingham Family Endowment Fund are ineligible to apply for another grant in the year immediately following the award.

Women’s Giving Circle Grant Cycle

The Women’s Giving Circle Grant Cycle considers requests of up to $8,500, with funding to be used between January 1 and December 31 of the following year. Grant recipients must be willing to speak at a WGC event, such as the Gift of Giving Breakfast, to share the impact of the funded program with WGC members.

Organizations funded by WGC in two consecutive years are not eligible to apply in the third year but may apply again in the fourth year.