ACF Competitive Grant Program
The Foundation’s Competitive Grant Program has six general fields-of-interest: Arts and Culture, Children and Youth, Education, Health, Human 
Services, and Environmental and Historic Preservation. These areas, in numerous combinations, are the building blocks of our community. We also have funds within the broad fields-of-interest that address specific issues or support specific programs including arts education in public schools, performing arts, mediation, domestic violence, direct service for the elderly and programs that encourage the discussion and study of ideas. When an organization submits a grant proposal, Foundation staff direct it to the appropriate grant review committee for consideration. Occasionally we have a special grant program to address a specific issue or need and a Request for Proposals (RFP) with criteria and guidelines is mailed to nonprofits working in that particular area.
THE COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM HAS TWO GRANT PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
DEADLINES: Please read all of the criteria and guidelines for the Grant
Process, including the description of each field-of-interest. If your
program fits into more than one field-of-interest and more than one
deadline, please send an email describing the program and we will
contact you to discuss the best fit for your organization.
WHERE DOES YOUR PROGRAM FIT?
Grant Program Fields-of-Interest
Arts and Culture
Grants in this area are given to support effective arts education, facilitate the stability of arts organizations, and to encourage the preservation of the community’s cultural heritage.
Education
In the field of education, grants support a wide range of activities from early childhood through adult programs including special needs, enrichment and literacy projects, parent and volunteer involvement, vocational and career training.
Environmental and Historic Preservation
Grants in this field help to preserve historic resources, conserve the natural land, protect wildlife and provide environmental education programs.
Children and Youth
Grants in Children and Youth support direct services or prevention programs benefiting children with an emphasis on projects for children who are abused and neglected, homeless or economically disadvantaged, and those programs nurturing families.
Health
Grants in the field of health provide support for access to health care, promotion of wellness, treatment and education programs, and care for people with chronic conditions.
Human Services
Grants in the field of human services provide support for improving the quality of life for those in need by strengthening families, assisting the chronically poor, providing for basic needs and aiding people in transition.
DEADLINES FOR THE 2008 COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAM:
1. PROGRAM FIELDS-OF-INTEREST
ARTS & CULTURE
EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENTAL AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Deadline for Receipt of Proposals: April 16, 2008
2. PROGRAM FIELDS-OF-INTEREST
CHILDREN/YOUTH AT RISK
HEALTH
HUMAN SERVICES
Deadline for Receipt of Proposals: August 13, 2008
Foundation grants are made to support, strengthen and sustain an organization’s new or expanding programs, exceptional existing programs and pilot projects. In order to make the best use of available funds, programs that are innovative, address needs of underserved populations, are responsive to changing and emerging community needs, are collaborative, and/or are strongly community-oriented will receive the highest priority. Grants are normally made for a one-year period. The Foundation does not consider more than one proposal to the Competitive Grant Program from an organization within a twelve-month period. Grant requests must be for a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $10,000.
Application Review Process
We use an extensive grant review process to assure donors and grantees that their interests will be represented through the Foundation’s Grant Program. Proposals are reviewed by volunteer committees broadly representative of the community. Committee members use their expertise and knowledge of the community to contribute to the overall assessment of each proposal based on the degree to which it fits the overall guidelines and priorities. The recommendations from the committees are presented to the Foundation Board of Trustees who has the responsibility for the final grant decisions.
Compliance
In addition to reviewing all documents submitted with the grant proposal, the Foundation’s procedures include reviewing every applicant’s GuideStar Charity Check information and NMPRC status at the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Proposals will not be considered from applicants who are not in compliance with all state and federal regulations.
Eligibility
Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and public agencies that serve the Albuquerque metro area.
Foundation grants are generally NOT made:
- to individuals
- for political or religious purposes
- to retire indebtedness
- for the payment of interest or taxes
- annual campaigns
- for conferences or symposia; i.e., speaker fees, room and board, related travel
- endowments
- emergency funding
- to influence legislation or elections
- to private foundations and other grant-making organizations
- or to organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, or gender.
