The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Foundation’s Grantmaking Cycle
The determination of a focus for a given year’s grantmaking is first made by the Foundation’s Grantmaking Committee and then voted on by the full Board of Directors.
For the current 2024-2025 grant cycle, the Foundation will award $525,000 to nonprofits whose existing program(s)/project(s) or newly crafted program(s)/project(s) provide services for vulnerable children and/or services for vulnerable elderly. A total of 23 nonprofit organizations were invited to submit a grant. Funding decisions will be made in spring of 2025. (To review past grants awarded, click here.)
In addition to grant funding, the Foundation also makes available the following funds:
Ongoing Education Funds
- The Foundation has allotted funds for nonprofit staff to take advantage of continuing education and professional development opportunities. A nonprofit can apply for a maximum of $1,500 per year. The funds can be used for:
- Registration Fees for a specific local, state, national training/workshop/conference/class.
- Travel to a specific local, state, national training/workshop/conference/class.
(Note: the Executive Director must approve staff attendance at a local, state, national training, workshop, conference, or class.) - Nonprofit Memberships in a local, state, national organization(s).
- Registration Fees for a specific local, state, national training/workshop/conference/class.
To request Ongoing Education funds, please complete the application found here.
Set-Aside Funds:
- The Foundation has set aside funds to help nonprofits with emergency requests. Nonprofits in need are asked to send a letter to the Foundation, explaining the emergency and how much funding is being requested. The Executive Director will call if additional information is needed. The Board of Directors will vote to determine if the funds will be awarded.
Also as part of its Capacity Building efforts, the Foundation works with community partners to help nonprofits build their capacity through:
Entrepreneurial Thinking Cohorts:
- For nonprofit executive staff and board officers. Designed to help organizations develop new revenue streams.
Catchafire:
- Connecting nonprofits to skills-based volunteers to help with a wide variety of projects.
Collaboration:
- The Foundation also partners with NetworkPeninsula to offer workshops throughout the year, as well as Faith Forums and Legislative Breakfasts designed to connect nonprofits to community partners.
To learn more about these offerings, click here.