The Burlington Community Fund (BCF) uses the following guidelines when awarding or declining grant requests.  These are guidelines only and exceptions may be made in some cases.  Grants that meet our Mission Statement and are in the Burlington area will be considered. This would include a ten-mile radius of Veterans Terrace at Echo Park in Burlington, Wisconsin.

We fund the following:
*Non-profit agencies and organizations, or government entities that are state and federally tax exempt.
*Established citizen committees, groups, or individuals wishing to complete a community project for the benefit of the general public of the greater Burlington area.

In considering results, BCF will operate without discrimination as to age, race, sex, religion, or national origin, and will award grants only to agencies and organizations that do not discriminate as to age, race, sex, religion or national origin.

Preference will be given to grant applications that:
*Respond to current, emerging and/or increasing needs
*Create a new program/project that is needed, but not a duplication
*Strengthen volunteer participation and citizen involvement in community concerns

Each grant request will be evaluated based on the following:
*Relevancy to our Mission Statement
*Identification of a clear need
*Capacity of the organization to carry out the grant request
*Demonstrated need for resources from BCF

BCF will decline grant requests for:
*Annual fund drives, capital campaigns, or general solicitation requests
*Lobbying efforts or political action groups
*Labor unions
*Individual needs
*Grant-making foundations
*Endowment funds
*Outside-of-Area requests
*General Operating Budgets
*Research, travel or publication by individuals within a given project
*Unanticipated deficits

BCF encourages applicants to request funding from other sources in addition to grant request to BCF.

Grant dollars must be used for the purpose stated in the application.  Any dollars not used for the specified purpose must be returned to BCF.

The special concerns of BCF fall into the following general areas:

Arts & Culture
Projects to support artistic performance and programming, expanding understanding of culture and diversity, public art installation, and historical preservation.

Burlington Public Parks
With emphasis on Echo Park

Community Fund
Programs deemed to be of the greatest importance or need to the community

Education
Programs and general projects in any private, public or parochial educational facility.  This includes all forms of literacy, individual development, leadership and skills enhancement.

Environment
Projects to support outdoor wildlife habitat, green space, water quality, clean air, and projects that improve our outdoor environment.

Humanitarian
Programs that identify local need priorities for services of general benefit, focusing on the underprivileged.

Wellness
Programs to improve or provide human health and well-being, provide health care delivery, medical services, nutrition, sports activities, exercise and outdoor activities.

Within these broad areas of special concern, BCF will look for programs that:

*Have a positive impact on the community
*Show promise but need testing in the community
*Deal with needs in which the grant will make a discernible difference

Funds available from BCF are limited to satisfy all requests.  Unfortunately very worthwhile requests cannot always be fulfilled.  A decision to deny a grant request may not necessarily intend that it was rejected on the merit of the proposal, the need it addresses, or the organization itself.

Your grant request must be submitted on our grant application form as shown on this website and e-mailed to us through this website under ‘Contact’.  It must be completed in its entirety.  Your request will be reviewed at the next BCF Board of Directors meeting.  A member or members may be assigned to contact you for further information.  The entire Board will act on all proposal recommendations during their regular monthly board meetings, and their decision will be final.   You will receive written notification of the decision.  Grant support should not be assumed until written notification is received.

If you have any questions, you may contact us by e-mail through this website under ‘Contact’, or write to us at P O Box 546, Burlington, Wisconsin 53105

All grant recipients are required to provide BCF with a Grant Follow-Up Report.  This form is available on this website, and is due to BCF one month after the project is completed.  Failure to complete this report will affect future grant requests.

Thank you for your interest in the Burlington Community Fund.  We look forward to hearing from you and collaborating with projects that support and enhance the Burlington community.