How to apply
Community members interested in requesting an emergency relief or hardship assistance grant must submit an application through the electronic submission portal below. Applicants may apply at any time throughout the year. The Grant Committees will review applications on a monthly basis, or as necessary. For more information on our grant criteria, visit our Grants page.
For information on local community foundation support or our work to support mental health initiatives, please reach out to the Community Foundation directly.
1
Submit YOUR APPLICATION
Complete the electronic form submission and follow up via email with any relevant supporting documents. Applications may be submitted year-round on a rolling basis.
2
gRANT COMMITTEE REVIEW
The U.S. Grant Committee and Canada Grant Committee each meet once a month to review applications received the previous month. (Applications may be reviewed sooner if needed.)
3
BOARD APPROVAL
The Board of Directors reviews the recommendations from the Grant Committees. Upon approval, the Foundation Director works with the grantee to review the parameters of the grant and set up the payment process.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know to apply for a grant.
When is the deadline for applications?
Applicants may apply at any time throughout the year. The Grant Committees review applications on a monthly basis, followed by Board approval. If your situation requires more immediate attention, please indicate as such on your application; we do our best to accommodate each emergency to the best of our ability.
How much can I apply for?
Each situation is unique. The amount of your grant will depend on several criteria, including the availability of additional resources, such as insurance, friends and family, local nonprofits or resource groups, etc. Please be sure to answer all questions in the application with as much detail as possible, and to provide backup documentation to support the specific dollar amount requested. The more information provided, the faster and easier the Grant Committees can review and recommend each grant with accuracy and confidence.
HOW DOES the grant review process WORK?
A Canada Grant Committee and a U.S. Grant Committee have been appointed to review applications within their region and determine eligibility based on the grant criteria. Representatives from each of Alterra’s communities serve as members of both Grant Committees. After review, the Grant Committees provide recommendations to the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors, which issues final approval of grants. Selected grant recipients will be notified by the Foundation Director of the Board’s final decision.
WHAT IS THE GRANTING CRITERIA TO RECEIVE AID?
Assistance and relief are open-ended and include victims of current and future disasters, emergency or hardships due to the random and unknown nature of disasters and emergency situations. Examples of eligible grant recipients include:
- Individuals or organizations that are financially needy, deteriorating or otherwise distressed.
- Individuals temporarily in need of food or shelter when stranded, injured, or lost due to a disaster.
- Individuals temporarily unable to be self-sufficient as a result of a sudden and severe personal or family crisis.
- Individuals in need of assistance with housing, childcare or educational expenses due to a disaster.
- Individuals in need of assistance due to trauma experienced as a result of a disaster or violent crime.
- Individuals or organizations who may otherwise require government financial support.
HOW DO THE GRANT COMMITTEES make theiR RECOMMENDATIONs?
Grant assistance amount and duration will be awarded based on the time span and severity of the disaster, emergency or hardship, as well as the Community Foundation’s ability to meet the requests of eligible individuals or organizations at a given time. The Community Foundation may consider the provision of additional assistance on a case-by-case basis.