Grant Guidelines

1. Near & Far Aid grants to agencies with a 501©3 exemption from the Internal Revenue Service.
2. Near & Far Aid grants to agencies that serve people without regard to race, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual preference or disability.
3.  Near & Far Aid funds programs which provide:  Adult Education and Job Training, Educational Opportunities for Children, Aid to Children, Elderly Care, Aid to Families at Risk, Aid to Adults in Crisis, Community Health Services and Aid to the Homeless.
4. Near & Far Aid grants to agencies within Fairfield County.  Grants outside Fairfield County are made on a proactive basis.
5. Near & Far Aid grants to programs with established poverty guidelines targeting the economically disadvantaged.
6. Near & Far Aid grants to programs whose clients require assistance as they make steps toward self-sufficiency, and programs whose clients may never achieve self-sufficiency.
7. Near & Far Aid funds programs run by established agencies and by small grass-roots organizations.
8. Near & Far Aid funds programs run by organizations that collaborate with other organizations when possible.
9. Near & Far Aid funds agencies that provide comprehensive services to address the range of needs of the population served.
10. Near & Far Aid funds programs run by agencies that have a low ratio of non-program expenses to program expenses.
11. Near & Far Aid grants to agencies that raise funds independently and efficiently.
12. Near & Far Aid will fund on-going programs and start-up programs.
13. Near & Far Aid will fund bricks and mortar.
14. Near & Far Aid will fund program expenses such as salaries.
15. Near & Far Aid does not fund medical research, animal or environmental causes, political causes, higher education, or programs requiring participation in faith-specific activities.
16. Near & Far Aid will fund two-year grants on a select basis.  All agencies will receive an invitation to submit a "letter of inquiry" for a two-year grant in June.  Two-year grant applicants must have received grants from Near & Far Aid for at least two of the last three years and be financially stable. All applicants for the two year grant must meet granting guidelines as outlined previously in this document.
17. The Projects Review Committee annually reviews, and the Board of Near & Far Aid annually endorses these granting policies.

Near & Far Aid Association Grant Application Form