GARFIELD FOUNDATION
The New Bedford Fund

The New Bedford Fund (NB Fund) is a special grants portfolio under the umbrella of the Garfield Foundation’s Community Revitalization Program, representative of its interest in the revitalization of older industrial cities. The NB Fund seeks to accelerate economic health and prosperity in the City of New Bedford by supporting projects in the following sectors: sustainable economic development and green jobs development (projects related to youth development, urban agriculture, and housing will not be considered).


Application Guidelines

Who Can Apply
Non-profit organizations implementing projects that benefit the City of New Bedford are welcome to apply. Eligible organizations include but are not limited to non-governmental organizations, business associations, and public institutions (e.g., community colleges).

Grant Criteria
• Applicants must have a minimum of two years experience implementing projects relevant to the revitalization or development of communities in New Bedford. While the Garfield Foundation recognizes the importance of new ideas, the NB Fund targets organizations with proven track records.
• Project must provide evidence that its strategy has the ability to achieve desired outcomes.
• Project must be operationally and financially viable.
• Priority will be given to organizations that:
    - Undertake new, creative and multi-faceted approaches to stimulate systemic solutions;
    - Demonstrate collaboration and cooperation with allied organizations and other stakeholders in planning and executing projects;
    - Incorporate sound methodology for effective programmatic outcomes;
    - Are led, inspired and managed by highly committed professionals who demonstrate the skills and passion to realize their vision.


Application Procedures
The NB Fund will award one-year grants ranging from $10,000-$25,000. For 2009, grants will be awarded in the Foundation’s summer and fall grant cycles in accordance with the following process.

• Step 1: Submit Phase I Application: Project Concept by May 29th, 2009 to
inquiry@garfieldfoundation.org. The Phase I Application Form is attached and available for download at www.garfieldfoundation.org (see Programs/Community Revitalization).

• Step 2: On invitation only, submit Phase II Application: Proposal to the Garfield Foundation by June 16th, 2009 (for the summer grants cycle) or September 11th (for the fall grants cycle).

Should your organization be invited to submit a proposal, you will be contacted with proposal guidelines and further instructions. Applicants will be visited by Garfield Foundation program staff in conjunction with the invitation to submit a proposal.

Please note an invitation to submit a proposal to the Garfield Foundation does not guarantee its acceptance. Proposals will be evaluated on the merit of the project described, its relevance to the NB Fund parameters, and an assessment of the organization’s ability to implement the project.

APPLICATION >