As of January 2024, the WKCF's Operating and Core grant applications have been combined to form the WKCF Community Grant Application. The Community Grant application is suited for any organizational need, whether operating, programmatic, or a combination of both. 

Application Dates

The WKCF reviews Community Grant applications three times per year. Community Grant applications are available in the online grant system which can be accessed from our Grant Application page.

The Process

The WKCF will accept one Community Grant request per organization, per funding period. Organizations that are awarded a Community Grant are not eligible for the next Community Grant cycle unless previously awarded funds have been fully expended, AND, all final reporting has been submitted. The Final Report is due once all WKCF grant funds have been expended, no later than one year from the original application date (i.e. a grant awarded with the March 1st cycle would have a final reporting deadline of March 1st the following year). Organizations may submit a Final Report for one grant in the same application period that a new grant is applied for, however, if the Final Report is not approved by the Grant Committee, the accompanying new request may not be reviewed by the Committee. 

Funding Ineligibility

The WKCF will not give consideration to funding Community Grants for:

• Grants to individuals
• Capital campaigns
• Medical research
• Internal studies or research (i.e. Studies conducted by the applicant organization are not eligible. Studies conducted by a third-party for the applicant, such as impact studies, or a study to help form a strategic plan, are eligible.) 
• Educational scholarships or fellowships
• Membership fees
• Ticket sales for fund-raising efforts
• Religious organizations for religious purposes
• Capital debt reduction, including construction or real estate loan payments
• Political lobbying, advocacy, or legislative activities 
• Endowment establishment or enhancement
• Umbrella funding of organizations that would distribute requested funds at their own discretion
• Give-away items for prizes/incentives

• Projects that discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, physical ability, sexual orientation or identity, or political preference

Due to the number of requests the Foundation receives, it is not guaranteed that every project will be funded or that full requests will be met. Funding awarded through the WKCF Community Grant application typically does not exceed $10,000 per award. Exceptions have occurred, on occasion, for applications which were well written and proposed to address substantial community needs. Each grant request will be reviewed and evaluated on its own merit based on the contents of the application. For this reason, it is important to provide clear and complete responses to all information requested. While applications requesting funding amounts greater than $10,000 will be reviewed, please anticipate grants to be awarded within a range not exceeding $10,000 per award.