Grant FAQs

Nonprofit organizations currently recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and in good standing with the IRS are eligible to apply for grants that benefit Wyoming.

Additionally, WYCF makes grants to other exempt organizations and public institutions, provided the purpose for which funds have been requested falls under the IRS definition of charitable.

Applications from organizations with outstanding final reports from prior grants will not be considered.

WYCF grant deadlines are March 15 and September 15 by 11:59 p.m.

Please review the Available Grants page for current opportunities.

Deadlines for Wyoming Wildlife Foundation grant programs are listed on their respective grant pages.

Grant cycles typically take approximately 12 weeks from the application deadline to notification.

The Wyoming Wildlife Foundation no longer administers the Wyoming Governor's Big Game License Coalition grant program.

Please visit the Wyoming Game and Fish Department website for information about applying for grants or submitting grant reports.

Questions may be directed to:

Rebekah Fitzgerald
Rebekah.fitzgerald@wyo.gov
307-777-4594

Yes. WYCF focuses on funding programs that meet the needs of Wyoming communities in the following areas:

• Arts & Culture
• Health & Human Services
• Education
• Environment & Conservation
• Civic & Community Building

Lower priority is given to requests for:

• Block grants
• Capital campaigns
• Annual campaigns
• Debt retirement
• Governmental programs

Requests supporting direct lobbying activities are not eligible.

Funding priorities for the Wyoming Youth for Natural Resources Grant and the Memorial Bear Fund are available on their respective program pages.

The strongest grant proposals:

• Address an important community need.
• Increase the capacity of your organization to fulfill its mission.
• Demonstrate collaboration with other organizations and funding partners.
• Present a clear, well-written, and complete proposal built around a strong project idea.

Yes. Capital and operational requests are eligible when they align with WYCF's funding priorities.

Organizations requesting general operating support should present a convincing plan demonstrating how operational costs will be sustained in the future.

All grantees must submit a final report at the conclusion of the 12-month grant period.

WYCF will also accept reports prepared for other funders, provided they:

• Cover the WYCF grant period.
• Include an appropriate narrative describing the funded work.
• Include financial information specific to the WYCF grant.

Grantees are also encouraged to announce their award through social media and a press release.

Before beginning an application, review the Online Application Instructions.

If you determine your organization is a good fit for funding, visit the Available Grants page to begin the application.

If you still have questions after reviewing the available information, contact a member of the WYCF program team at 307-721-8300.

Organizations may submit applications to multiple priority funds simultaneously (for example, both WYCF and WWF).

In most cases, organizations that have received funding may not submit another application to the same fund until the previous grant has been closed through submission of a final report.

Exceptions may be made for statewide organizations serving multiple communities.

Eligibility to submit multiple applications is determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact benk@wycf.org to discuss your organization's situation.

Yes. Extensions are generally easy to obtain.

Simply email WYCF program staff with:

• A brief explanation for the request.
• Your anticipated new completion date.

Please note that organizations with overdue or incomplete grant reports are not eligible to receive new funding until reporting requirements have been fulfilled.

Applications are first reviewed by Wyoming Community Foundation program staff to verify eligibility and completeness.

Staff then match each application with the appropriate affiliate, advisory committee, and/or donor advisor for review.

Following committee review, funding recommendations are presented to the WYCF Board of Directors, which makes the final funding decision.

Applicants may receive:

• Full funding
• Partial funding
• No funding

In some cases, funding may include additional conditions.

Generally, no.

Submit a single application and WYCF program staff will direct it to the most appropriate funding source(s). Your application may be reviewed by multiple committees and donors, increasing the opportunity for funding.

Please note that the Wyoming Youth for Natural Resources Grant and the Memorial Bear Fund have their own application deadlines.

WYCF's goal is to receive all applications electronically.

If your organization has circumstances that prevent online submission, please contact a member of the WYCF program team to discuss available accommodations.