Century Fund

The Century Fund provides the opportunity for GLCF to make a strong impact in our region through an annual grant of $100,000. 

Guidelines for determining grants from the Century Fund include: 

Eligibility:

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving the city of Lynchburg and/or the surrounding counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, and Campbell that are organized and operated for charitable purposes and recognized by the IRS as tax-exempt public charities under Sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Public educational institutions without an IRS determination letter may also be eligible to receive grants.

1. Grants from the Century Fund will be $100,000. They will not be divided among different projects.

 

2. Organizations applying for a Century Fund grant should: 
   1. Demonstrate that the project is a strong fit with their organization’s mission and is aligned with a board-adopted strategic plan
   2. Have a track record of providing effective programs to their target population
   3. Have a history of strong financial management
   4. Have a structured business plan for ongoing financial and community support to ensure continuation of the program or construction project
   5. Include clearly stated goals, timeline, skill and/or behavioral outcomes
   6. Be able to measure the program or project’s effectiveness in achieving its stated objective(s) and commit to reporting that to the GLCF
   7. Demonstrate efforts to creatively collaborate with other organizations or agencies

    

3. The application process for the Century Fund grant is separate from GLCF’s normal grant cycles. Applications will be accepted anytime throughout the year, but the deadline for a given year’s applications will be February 28. The Century Fund grant, if awarded, will be announced by the end of June each year.

 

4. The grant may be for programs or projects, including bricks and mortar.

 

5. The Century Fund grant must be a significant portion of the total amount needed to complete the project or program.

 

6. The Century Fund grant may or may not be awarded in a given year if, in the judgment of GLCF, no applications meet the criteria for granting. Century Fund grants are for projects anticipated to have a transformational impact on the community, county or entire region. Although difficult to quantify, impact means lasting, sustainable projects or programs that are expected to enhance the lives of Central Virginians in measurable ways.

 

7. In order to be considered by GLCF, applications must be submitted in narrative form on no more than 2 type-written pages. The Application must address, in no prescribed order, the following:
   1. What is the program or project for which the applicant is seeking the award?
   2. What is the proposed timeline for implementation of the proposed project?
   3. How is this project transformative in terms of significantly enhancing the quality of life for the people of Central Virginia?
   4. How many people will be served by the project?
   5. How is this proposal different from your ongoing efforts and from projects for which you have received previous grant awards?
   6. State a specific objective of this project.
   7. What is the total cost of the project? 
   8. List all other funds that have been earmarked for this project and all applications for funds you have submitted.
   9. How will the success of the project be evaluated?
   10. How would getting this award assist your agency in establishing stability?

 

8. Please submit all applications online between February 1 - February 28.