Funding to Win

FTW’s grantmaking is directed by a participatory body called the wisdom circle. The Wisdom Circle, composed of Black movement leaders based in NC, will be guided through a collective decision-making process to allocate funds. Applications will be reviewed and grants will be awarded guided by the following criteria:
‍

•  Organizations led by, serving, and accountable to Black people and their communities and focused on building power to challenge oppressive systems and confronting the root causes of oppression(s)
• Support for strategies related to capacity building, healing justice, civic engagement, community-led safety, cooperative economics, and intersectional work
• Support for building alternative models and power building institutions and for communities that are historically under-resourced by philanthropic dollars and donors including rural communities

Organizational information, including 501(c)3 letter, organizational budget, and contact information. 
‍

• If you have a fiscal sponsorship, you will not need to include a 501(c)3 letter for your organization. Instead, you will need to include a letter of agreement between yourself and your fiscal sponsor,
   
• 501(c)3 letter of the organization fiscally sponsoring you, contact information for the person at your fiscal sponsor organization who would sign a grant agreement, along with a representative of your organization should your application be selected.

FTW offers general operating support grants. General operating grants can be used to support various projects or expenses in the organization. Examples of how this funding can be used include:
‍

• Core Organizational Functions: Salaries and benefits for staff; Office space rental or lease payments; Utilities (e.g., electricity, gas, water); Insurance (e.g., property, liability); Technology (e.g., computers, software); Administrative supplies (e.g., paper, pens, office equipment)
  ‍
• Program Development and Implementation: Staff training and professional development; Program evaluation and data analysis;  Community outreach and engagement activities; Marketing and communications materials; Program materials and supplies
  ‍‍
• Fundraising and Development: Grant writing and proposal development; Donor cultivation and stewardship activities; Fundraising events and campaigns

Yes, we will need the following information:
‍

• Your EIN
• Articles of Incorporation
• Form 1023 (application to the IRS)

If you require any accommodations or special considerations, please contact us at info@cypressfund.org to discuss your needs.

Yes. Although FTW rarely funds national or regional organizations, when organizations have a strong base in Carolina communities, staff based in the Carolinas and a long-term strategy, then we will consider them on a case-by-case basis.

FTW grants can’t be used for direct lobbying. They can, however, be used for grassroots lobbying, which involves communicating with members of the public about issues of public concern. However, this must be done nonpartisan and cannot be directed at influencing specific legislation or candidates.

No, we no longer accept mail applications–all must be submitted through our online grant portal.