Over our 46 year history, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation has invested more than $19 million in our community through grants and scholarships that have made a powerful and positive difference in the lives of many.
The Community Foundation manages nearly 400 endowed funds and operates six competitive grant programs. 

Grant Deadline:  The next grant application deadline is Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
AAACF's 2010 grant support will be focused on helping local nonprofits preserve essential programs and services that our community values. 

The highest priority will be given to:

• Bridge funding and/or general operating costs: to maintain essential programs through a transition period

• Capacity building: one-time projects focused on improving the long-term strength and viability of the organization: e.g., consulting, technology, marketing materials, accreditation, et al.

• Collaboration: efforts by two or more organizations to address community issues more effectively

Applicants are encouraged to call AAACF's Program Director, Phil D'Anieri at (734) 663-0401 before applying.

AAACF's General Grantmaking Program supports a broad array of projects focused on education, housing and homelessness, human services, early childhood development and education, seniors, arts and culture, community development, health and wellness, youth programs and the environment. 

AAACF's targeted Grantmaking Programs focus on a general field of interest and include:

  Youth Council
  African American Endowment Fund
  Anna Botsford Bach Fund for Seniors

AAACF's two geographic affiliates have general grantmaking programs that serve their communities.  Both CFP and YACF award grants during the Fall cycle:

Community Foundation of Plymouth
Ypsilanti Area Community Fund

Applicants should research the unique priorities of the various grantmaking programs to better understand AAACF's funding resources.

How to Apply for a Grant

Application Process

Out-of-Cycle Grants

Multi-Year Grants

What Will Not Be Funded

How to Apply for a Grant

AAACF welcomes grant applications from nonprofit organizations whose operations and programs benefit the people of Washtenaw County.  It is also important that these organizations conduct business without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The Community Foundation has partnered with private, public and corporate funders to create common online grant applications and reporting forms.  Grantseekers may access these tools by going to www.communitygrants.org. 

It is strongly recommended that applicants attend a free CommunityGrants training.  Click here for more information or to register for the training.

Application Process 

• Applicants must:

1. Log on to www.communitygrants.org. and create a password to access the system; a password will be provided by the next business day.

2. Create an online agency profile.  This profile can be created, accessed and updated at any time. 

3. Complete the Short Application any time prior to the grant deadlines. Staff will direct the applications to the appropriate Fund.  Note:  Emergency or time-sensitive requests may be considered on an Out-of-Cycle basis with staff approval, click here for more information. 

• Applications will be reviewed by AAACF staff and/or the appropriate fund advisory committee.  Grants  may be fully or partially funded or denied.  A site visit or interview may be scheduled before a final decision is made.

• In some cases, applicants may be requested to provide additional information using the Standard Outcome Funding Application. This application will likely include a site visit by staff and volunteers.

• Grantees may be asked to attend a post-grant meeting to negotiate program outcomes and review AAACF reporting requirements.

Out-of-Cycle Grants

The Board of Trustees reserves the right to award grants at any time based on the mission and strategic interests of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and the evolving needs of the community.  AAACF may also consider requests outside the traditional competitive process if they meet the following criteria:

• The emergency is caused by forces of nature or events outside of the control of the organization (this does not include most financial emergencies)

• The timing of the request is of an urgent nature and therefore precludes consideration in the regular grant cycles

Multi-Year Grants

Most grants are for a term of one year. However, under certain circumstances, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation will consider multi-year grant funding, especially if the grant is part of a strategic grantmaking area.  It is expected that multi-year grants will be made on a limited basis and the following general policies will apply:

• Multi-year grants will usually be for 2-3 years

• Grants will usually be in decreasing size in order to promote development of other sources of funding

• Second or third year funding will be based on annual review and successful attainment of program outcomes

What Will Not Be Funded

The Community Foundation typically does not make grants for:

• construction projects (new building or routine maintenance)

• annual giving campaigns

• fundraising events

• religious or sectarian purposes

• computer hardware equipment

• individuals

• partisan political purposes

• loans

• re-granting