Apply for a Grant
Learn more about CFM’s competitive grant opportunities.
All CFM competitive grants are managed through one online grants portal.
All applicants must use CFM's competitive grants portal where you may create an account, select the relevant grant and apply. This system also allows applicants to save their progress, return to the application later and, if awarded funding, manage grant and submit final reports. Please note that only eligible applications and letters of intent will be reviewed.
The Community Foundation for Mississippi offers several competitive grant programs throughout the year.
Each funding opportunity has its own application process, which may begin with a letter of intent or require a full application. Our competitive grants vary in their eligibility requirements, funding priorities, and submission timelines. Explore the opportunities below to learn more about each funding of opportunity and our funding cycles.
Community Impact Project Grant
Project Grants fund new and innovative projects of eligible organizations.
Eligibility
Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or have a fiscal agent. Government entities such as municipalities may also apply. Project support will only be awarded to eligible organizations located in or whose project directly serves one or more of the 22 counties supported by the Community Foundation for Mississippi.
Project Guidelines
Projects must be clearly defined including measurable goals, a beginning and end date, and should be distinguishable from ongoing programming. Priority will be given to applicants whose projects clear fit into the focus areas of Placemaking, Children and Families or Community Partnerships and who present new and innovative approaches within their project. A financial programmatic match is not required, though projects that demonstrate community support will be prioritized. Community Impact Grants do not fund operating support, lobby-related costs or items such as permanent equipment not directly tied to a project outcome.
Focus Areas
Rural Leveraging Matching Grants
Rural Leveraging Matching Grants are intended to bridge funding gaps by supporting grant-funded efforts that have demonstrated community support but may not move forward without additional resources. In many cases, awardees have received grants from the state, federal government agencies, or private funders that require a funding match.
Rural Leveraging grants are not designed to support small projects such as those awarded through our Community Impact Project grant but are instead focused around community-wide impact, including historical preservation, sidewalk and bike trail efforts, tourism, economic development, stakeholder engagement, and charrette-style planning.
Organizations may submit a letter of interest requesting support for up to 50% of the required match for an anticipated, awarded, or obligated grant, including state or federal funding.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to applicants in counties with populations under 50,000 people and within (or serving) an area within CFM's 22 county rural footprint.
Nonprofit Capacity Mini-Grants
Nonprofit Capacity Building Mini-Grants support 501(c)(3) nonprofits within CFM’s service area by providing access to professional development and organizational support.
Organizations may apply for assistance to attend training courses or workshops, hire a vetted nonprofit consultant, or receive support in specific areas of professional and organizational development.
Examples of supported work include strategic planning; board development and governance; succession planning; emergency preparedness; facilities and accessibility planning; program development; evaluation and data collection; fundraising; and grant writing.
John F. and Lucy Shackelford Fund Grants
Grants from CFM's Shackelford Fund primarily fund infrastructure or major renovations focused on improving the whole of downtown Jackson, Mississippi.
Applicants will complete a Letter of Interest (LOI). This LOI follows strict eligibility guidelines and only those who present eligible projects will move forward in the process.
Funding priorities include projects that improve green and public spaces downtown, efforts to bring more people downtown, new infrastructure, blight remediation, public placemaking and other revitalization efforts directly benefiting downtown Jackson.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to applicants directly serving downtown Jackson, MS. Organizations located outside of downtown Jackson must demonstrate a direct impact on the downtown area.
Grant FAQs
If you’re exploring grant opportunities with CFM, these are a few common questions to help you get started. Keep in mind that each grant has its own requirements, timeline, and application details. Some opportunities may also include additional FAQs within the grant listing in the Grants Portal.
For questions, contact Melody Moody Thortis, CFM’s Director of Strategic Impact and Programs.
Get Grant Updates
We offer grant opportunities at different times throughout the year. Fill out this form and we’ll keep you updated on what’s coming up.