The Giving Circle of HOPE Grant Process
Grant applications must be received by the Giving Circle of HOPE by August 15 to be considered for that year’s grant cycle. All applications are reviewed by the Grant Subcircle, summarized, and forwarded to the general membership for voting at the Quarterly Meeting in November. Grantees will be notified of their status immediately following the meeting and grant checks will be issued by the end of December. Grantees will be invited to the Grantee Celebration in January and may be asked to speak at a Quarterly Meeting about the project that was funded. A short evaluation of the grant program must be submitted by August of the following year.
Download our 2011 Grant Application. Please ensure that your organization meets our grant criteria before submitting a grant application. Questions are encouraged.
Applications that do not meet the specified standards or are not complete will not be considered.
If you have any questions regarding the application or the Grant process please email Grants@givingcircleofhope.org.
Eligibility & Criteria
Your organization must meet the following standards to be considered for a Giving Circle of HOPE Grant:
- Be a non-profit 501(c)3
- Have an organizational budget of <$2 million
- Meet the Circle’s mission to directly benefit people in need
- Serve populations in the counties of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, or Loudoun, or the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, or Fairfax
Your project or program must meet the following standards to be considered:
- Must be specific with clear goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes
- Must be located in the counties of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Prince William, or Loudoun, or the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, or Fairfax
The Giving Circle of HOPE gives preference to:
- Small, grassroots organizations that utilize volunteers
- Programs based on proven models of effectiveness
- Creative and innovative applications
- Grant applications that follow the GCH application format closely
The Giving Circle of HOPE does not fund:
- Grant requests that exceed $5000.
- Projects or programs that promote a particular religious or political ideology
- Endowment or capital projects and campaigns
- Dinner galas, advertising, and other special fundraising events
- General operating expenses of an organization
- Intermediary funding agencies
- Organizations that have received a GCH grant for three consecutive years