Tier 2 is now open; applications are due October 29, 2026.
The Community Foundation’s 2026-2027 multi-tiered grant funding initiative supports the growth, resilience, and long-term vitality of Monroe County. Through these multi-tiered investments, CFBMC seeks to position our community to advance efforts that support meaningful progress toward enhancing quality of life, attracting and retaining younger adults and families, increasing livability, and advancing community priorities in Monroe County.
Funding is available to a range of eligible organizations, including nonprofit organizations, schools, post-secondary institutions, local governmental entities, and religious organizations. In select cases, mission-aligned for-profit entities may also be considered if they can effectively address a charitable community need.
Tier 1 Rapid Response Grant applications were reviewed in two rounds in August and September 2026, and 19 organizations were awarded Tier 1 Rapid Response Grants to build capacity, improve sustainability, and enhance services for our community.
Tier 2: Strategic Impact Grants
The Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County (CFBMC) is now accepting applications for Tier 2 Strategic Impact Grants, the second opportunity in its 2026–27 multi-tiered grant initiative.
Tier 2 is designed to support significant programmatic work that addresses important community needs and opportunities and produces meaningful, sustained benefits for Monroe County residents. Funding may support the launch, continuation, expansion, strengthening, or multi-year implementation of programs and initiatives.
Strategic Impact Grants are intended for well-developed proposals with a clear approach to implementation, meaningful benefit to Monroe County residents, realistic outcomes, and the organizational capacity needed to carry out the work. Organizational capacity-building or general operating support alone is not the primary focus of this funding opportunity.
Funding at a Glance
- Grant request range: $50,000–$100,000
- Total funding available: Up to $750,000
- Anticipated number of awards: Approximately 7–15
- Grant period: Up to 24 months
- Application deadline: October 29, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
- Awarded funds available: Beginning in December 2026, following execution of a grant agreement
What May Be Supported
Tier 2 funding may support established programs, expansion or enhancement of existing work, new initiatives, collaborative efforts, or other clearly defined programmatic strategies.
Eligible expenses may include project-related personnel and benefits, contracted services, program materials and supplies, outreach, evaluation, technology, equipment, and other costs directly connected to the proposed work and anticipated outcomes. Reasonable administrative and indirect costs may also be included when necessary to implement the work and clearly explained in the proposal. Collaboration is encouraged when it meaningfully strengthens the proposed work, but it is not required.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, units of government, schools and other eligible education providers, religious organizations proposing non-proselytizing charitable work, and, in limited situations, other mission-aligned organizations serving a charitable purpose.
Organizations based outside Monroe County may also be eligible when the proposed work provides a meaningful and identifiable benefit to Monroe County residents.
Applicants should review the complete guidelines before beginning an application for additional information about eligibility, funding priorities, eligible and ineligible expenses, required attachments, review criteria, and frequently asked questions.
Download the 2026 Tier 2 Strategic Impact Grant Guidelines & FAQs.
Only one Tier 2 application may be submitted per organization.
Questions regarding eligibility, fit, or the application process may be directed to Marcus Whited, Program Director, at marcus@cfbmc.org.
Tier 3: Transformative Community Investment Grants
Tier 3 grants will support bold, catalytic, and collaborative projects through grants of up to $500,000 each. Transformative Community Investment Grants are positioned to support high-impact opportunities such as housing, workforce development, economic mobility, talent attraction and retention, community health, entrepreneurship, innovation, or other efforts that strengthen community competitiveness.
Approximately $2 million in funding will be available in this tier. In late 2026, CFBMC will work closely with a small number of organizations to develop concept papers. Organizations with the most promising concepts will then be invited to develop full implementation proposals.