Fall Competitive Grant Application Opens on August 1st and Closes on September 9th | 2025 Grant Application Cycle is moving to ANNUAL opening July 1st and closing August 1st.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
The Community Foundation offers 4 competitive grant programs which focus on Early Childhood Education, the Future of Northwest Mississippi, Place-Based Education & Civic Engagement, and Technology in Education. The Community Foundation’s competitive grant application cycle is offered ONCE a year between July 1st and August 1st. Nonprofit organizations that work in the Community Foundation’s service region are eligible to apply. These counties include Bolivar, Coahoma, DeSoto, Leflore, Marshall, Panola, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Tunica.
Competitive Grant Application
Review the guide below for an in-depth "how-to" on using the GoApply software. Please let us know if you have any questions.
Are you a grant recipient?
Send us your photos, videos, and testimonials from your funding! We'd love to see how these funds have impacted our community!
In addition to your wonderful photos and videos, don't forget to send us your final report. The form can be found below!
What will I need to apply?
Materials and Information you will need to have available to apply for a grant:
- Register as an Orgaization
- EIN number
- Organization Contact Information
- Grant Contact Information
- A list of other pending grant request for the project, the amount requested and an estimated decision date.
- A list of other partners/contributors committed to the project.
The following will need to be available to upload:
- Detailed, itemized project budget that includes revenues and expenses. You may use our Project Revenue Budget Template and Project Expense Budget Template.
- A current list of the organization's officers and directors, including contact information at least two (2) of the officers' addresses must be different from the charity's address.
- Most recent Mississippi Secretary of State Charitable Registration Certificate and File no. You can find those here.
- Most recent IRS 990
Still Have Questions?
Check out our FAQ's below for more information or contact us at grants@cfnm.org or call our office at 662.449.5002
CFNM focuses on programs that involve health and education, especially for youth and children. There are four pillars for granting: Endowment for the Future of Northwest Mississippi, Place-Based Education & Civic Entrepreneurship, Technology in Education, and Early Childhood Education. The CFNM Grants Committee chooses what category is necessary for the grantee.
Follow the link above to get to our GoApply Grant Portal. You'll nee
No, the Community Foundation does not make grants or loans to individuals. For students, there are several scholarships available; funding for scholarships is sent directly to the educational institution on the student’s behalf. Click the button below to learn more about our scholarship opportunities.
Yes. Your organization must have a 501(c)(3) status designation or be an entity of government to apply for a grant and receive funding.
No, entities of government will not have 501(c)(3). It is suggested that you contact us for eligibility.
We do not provide direct assistance with writing proposals. However, we can suggest that you contact the HUB for training resources.
While there is no guarantee that the Community Foundation will fund a specific grant request, it is committed to funding organizations that present opportunities for partnerships and that demonstrate an ability to leverage resources. The Foundation looks for programs that fit in one of the four pillars (Endowment for the Future of Northwest Mississippi, Place-Based Education & Civic Entrepreneurship, Technology in Education, and Early Childhood Education) for grant funding needs.
The Community Foundation does not set a limit on the number of times an organization can apply for funding. Generally, we prefer that organizations use discretion and submit requests only for top-priority projects and programs.
Foundation staff review all incoming grant inquiries for the Competitive Grants cycle. A Grants Committee reviews and chooses grant inquiries for funding requested from specific funds. The Foundation’s Board of Directors votes to approve funding for grant requests.
We encourage you to meet with us and the HUB, so we have a good understanding of your grant request to submit to the Grants Committee. However, this does not guarantee funding.
Generally, no.
There is a wide range in the dollar amounts of grants awarded. The amount of funding awarded by CFNM has varied between $100.00 – $20,000.00 with the average being $5,000.00. You should determine the amount of funding you need for your project and apply for that amount.