Impact Grants

IMPACT GRANT PURPOSE:

Impact grants provide Program-specific or Capacity-building grants of up to $50,000 that will have a significant impact on an important organizational or community need. These grants are intended to be catalytic in nature supporting projects that have the potential to drive substantial, positive change within the organization or on the identified need. 

DEADLINE:

• Letters of Inquiry may be submitted through the grant portal as of January 1, 2025 and are due by midnight on February 1, 2025.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Nonprofits eligible for Spur Impact grants: 

• Are determined to be tax-exempt by the IRS 

• Actively and broadly serve the Blaine County/Wood River Valley community  

• Address a local community need or opportunity 

We highly recommend that nonprofits undergo a Spur assessment prior to submitting an application for an Impact grant. The assessment serves as a valuable indicator confirming that your organization has successfully met the criteria outlined below. 

IMPACT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES: 

These grants are intended to serve as a catalyst for innovative projects, enabling organizations to amplify their impact and drive meaningful change in the community.

• Program or Project Grants: Supports the implementation or expansion of programs that align with the organization's mission and objectives. For Impact grants, the proposed activities should address a pressing community need. 

• Capacity-Building Grants: Supports organizations in strengthening their internal capabilities and infrastructure. For Impact grants, the proposed activities should significantly enhance the organization's ability to fulfill its mission. 

IMPACT GRANT PROCESS: 

1. Eligibility and Fit: Please review the eligibility requirements, guidelines, review criteria, and FAQs on this page. If you have unanswered questions, email NPservices@spurfoundation.org to arrange a time to speak with a staff member.

2. Letter of Inquiry: If you determine an Impact Grant is an appropriate match for your project, your next step will be to complete a Letter of Inquiry (LOI), which is a brief summary of your project. Click here to go to Spur’s online Grant Portal. LOIs may be submitted as of January 1st and are due by midnight on February 1st.

3. Invitation to Apply: Spur will respond to LOIs within four weeks and staff will notify you if your organization has been been invited to submit a full application.

4. Application: If invited to submit a full proposal, you may login to the Grant Portal to complete the application. Applications will be due by April 1st. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Spur staff at NPservices@spurfoundation.org.

5. Review and Evaluation: Spur staff will review the application to ensure it is complete and may request additional information if needed. Once staff has reviewed the application, it will be assigned to the grants committee. The Committee will review and evaluate your application using the criteria listed below. 

6. Grant Decisions: The Committee will present its recommendations to Spur's Board of Directors. Upon the board's consideration and approval, Spur staff will promptly notify the applicant of the decision. If a grant is awarded, the payment will be processed shortly thereafter. In the case when a grant is not awarded, the applicant will be offered feedback on their application.

7. Report: Funded organizations report on progress toward the goals and outcomes established. Reports due dates depend on the timeline of the proposed project.  

REVIEW CRITERIA: 

Impact and Need: Successful applications will identify and address an important and pressing organizational or community need that aligns with the applicant organization’s strategic priorities. Proposed activities should greatly improve the ability of the organization to address the identified need and have the potential for sustained positive outcomes. 

Measurable Results: We prioritize organizations that present clear objectives, outline a strategy for achieving results, and demonstrate the ability to monitor and measure the impact on the community and/or the individuals they serve. 

Clear Plan for Proposed Activities: Successful applicants present a clear description of all activities with a well-defined timeline, providing a comprehensive understanding of planned actions. We appreciate plans that demonstrate innovative approaches to solving problems.

Leadership and Capacity: We value leadership at both the board and executive levels, emphasizing a deep understanding of the community, nonprofit management, and the organization’s specific field.  We appreciate good leaders may bring diverse experiences to the role and value those who maintain an awareness of areas for improvement and actively strive to implement best practices. We prioritize organizations that have demonstrated competence and success, particularly in the area of the need identified. 

Financial Management and Sustainability: Successful applicants demonstrate fiscal responsibility, provide a clear and detailed budget, clearly outline the need for these funds at this time, and present plans that instill confidence in the sustained impact of the activities beyond this grant.  

Collaboration: Addressing complex, persistent challenges necessitate innovative strategies that often exceed the capabilities of a single organization. We prioritize organizations with a proven history of collaboration and collective endeavors dedicated to tackling community needs. 

Available Funds: We must also consider the availability of funds aligned with the request's purpose.