Apply for a Grant

NO GRANT APPLICATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE CHECK BACK IN THE SPRING OF 2013 FOR PROPOSAL REQUESTS.

 

Review our mission, beliefs, and program goals to ensure that your proposal is consistent with the values of the CornerStone Initiative.  

Complete online organizational assessment HERE

Your organization must meet the following basic eligibility requirements:

  • you are (or in process of forming) a nonprofit organization
  • you are located in Madison County, Alabama 

 

We do NOT make grants for:

  • direct services such as food or medical assistance 
  • capital improvements such as building projects 
  • satellite operations of organizations outside of Madison County, Alabama  •individuals 

 

Program Goal

The goal of the CornerStone Initiative is to provide comprehensive support services for nonprofits and promoting holistic community development for neighborhoods and communities in the Huntsville/Madison metro area. We strongly encourage collaborative partnerships and strategic alliances, especially with local neighborhood stakeholders, i.e. associations, key leaders, etc.

We place a special emphasis on research-based methodologies and the A-B-C-D (Asset-based Community Development) model which draws upon existing community strengths to build stronger, more sustainable communities for the future.

How capacity-building grants may be used:

Organizations may use grant funds in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:

  • Organizational Development;
  • General Operating Support;
  • Board & Leadership Development;
  • Strategic Networking and Partnership Opportunities;

 

We will offer an initial assessment and develop, in consultation with each prospective grant recipient, an action plan on how grant funds can be leveraged to meet the applicants’ needs and the CornerStone’s goals. CornerStone will also offer potential recipients 20 hours of professional consultation.

Size of grants: The size and duration of grants is matched to the applicant’s scale of impact, need, capabilities, and opportunities. Initial grants are typically for one to two years, and subsequent grants may be for up to three years. New and emerging nonprofit organizations may apply for capacity-building grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. More established organizations (five years of more of existence) may apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on their scale of impact. We welcome funding partners and rarely make grants that exceed 30% of an organization’s budget.

  1. Submit an online organizational assessment
  2. Wait for a response before submitting a full proposal. Within four weeks after receiving your organizational summary, we will contact you by email or letter, either encouraging you to apply or informing you that your organization does not meet our guidelines.
  3. Submit a proposal
  4. Application review and approval Applications are reviewed by our staff and Board of Directors. We typically visit applicant organizations during the review process in order to learn about the organization first hand. We will contact you regarding a decision of approval soon after the award date specified for the grant cycle.