Grant Applications and Criteria

The Grant Committee considers all prior year grant recipients and any other 501(c)3 charities that are brought forward to the board. Inquiries may be made directly to the Wexford Foundation.

Grants Committee members interview charity staff in order to validate their needs. A formal grant application is sent to all charities who are selected, requesting detailed information on the charity's history, management, financial status & stability, and how the grant will be used to meet the the charity's mission.

Grants Committee recommendations are submitted to the Board of Trustees for review and final approval.  Grant are  presented at the Annual Grants Award Luncheon held in February each year. 

The Committee evaluates applications giving consideration to:

• Proposed use of funds in light of the agency's mission
• Demonstrated effectiveness of the charity's work
• Management structure and organization 
• Financial controls and qualifications
• Expected impact on the community 
• Potential conflict of interests 
• Past grant history
•  Dollar amount of the grant award requested. 

The Grants Committee and the Trustees value their relationship with the grant recipients and take the opportunity to work with them to ensure that grants meet the original objectives and are effective in serving the needs of the community. 

Communication and public relations are a valuable part of the ongoing relationship with the grant recipients and are important in the consideration of future additional or sustaining grants. 

In addition to the annual grant process, the Grants Committee is pleased to consider needs which will significantly assist in the development of a particular charity and dramatically impact the work that it is doing. 

While fewer in number, Major Impact Grants are typically larger awards to charities who have demonstrated a history of strong all-round management and who bring forward specific projects and plans which will have a major impact on the community.