Meyer Memorial Trust has a number of grant programs designed to meet needs identified and brought to our attention by nonprofit organizations and community members. Our grants programs change and grow as we create new opportunities to respond to community needs. More information about each program is available through the links to the left and in the text below.
Responsive Grants are awarded in the areas of social services, health, affordable housing, community development, conservation and environment, public affairs and social benefit, arts and culture, and education. They generally range from $30,000 to $500,000; grant periods are from one to three years in length. General purpose grants are given for a wide variety of projects in many fields of activity including program expansions, capacity building, capital projects, and start-ups.
Final decisions on Responsive Grants proposals are made by trustees at program meetings every month except January, April and August. Final decisions on proposals for capital projects requesting more than $200,000 are made in May and November. Applicants should time their Initial Inquiry submission at least six months before they hope to have a final decision from MMT.
Capacity Building Grants are a special focus area within Responsive Grants, reflecting MMT's view that investing in strengthening nonprofit organizations is among the highest and best uses of our funds. Capacity building grants help nonprofit organizations increase contributed or earned income, realize new efficiencies, or otherwise build capacity to advance their missions.
Grassroots Grants enable smaller organizations, often without development departments, to compete for MMT grants. While organizations with budgets up to $2 million may apply for Grassroots Grants, historically, 70% of small grants have gone to organizations with budgets of $250,000 or less. Grants of $1,000 to $25,000 are awarded for projects with budgets of up to $150,000. Grassroots Grants fund programs, outreach, equipment, facility expansions or repairs, strategic planning, website development, and more.
Decisions on Grassroots Grants are made by trustees at the program meetings in February, June and October. Deadlines for consideration of proposals are:
March 15th (for decisions made at June meeting)
July 15th (for decisions made at October meeting)
November 15th (for decisions made at February meeting)
Meyer Memorial Trust is developing a Technical Assistance Grants program. This program is still under development. Until it is complete, Technical Assistance proposals should be submitted to the Grassroots Grants program.
Emergency Grants provide expedited consideration of true emergencies. MMT’s emergency fund is intended for sudden, unanticipated and unavoidable challenges that, if not addressed immediately, could threaten an organization’s stability and/or ability to achieve its mission.
