Chester County Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $6+ million
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Monthly grant decisions
• Grant Range: Varies by fund and program
• Geographic Focus: Chester County, Pennsylvania

Contact Details

• Website: https://chescocf.org
• Phone: (610) 696-8211
• Email: info@chescocf.org (general) | grants@chescocf.org (grant applications)
• Address: 28 West Market Street, West Chester, PA 19382

Overview

Founded in 1994, the Chester County Community Foundation (CCCF) is one of over 900 community foundations nationwide, serving as a vital philanthropic hub for Chester County, Pennsylvania. With assets exceeding $118 million and managing over 430 charitable funds, CCCF annually awards more than $6 million in grants and scholarships. The foundation's mission is to "connect people who care with the causes that matter, so their philanthropy makes a difference now and forever." CCCF received accreditation from the Community Foundations National Standards Board in March 2019, demonstrating its commitment to accountability and legal compliance.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Direct Service Programs/General Operations: Variable amounts funded by individual and family charitable funds, awarded throughout the year
• Capacity Building Grants: Support for nonprofit sustainability initiatives including strategic planning, partnerships, technology improvements, and resource development
• Build Strong Minds Initiative: Education-focused grants
• Donor Advised Fund Grants: Variable amounts based on donor recommendations
• Field of Interest Funds: Grants aligned with specific charitable interests
• Nonprofit Endowment Funds: Supporting long-term organizational sustainability

Priority Areas

• Education and youth development
• Health and human services
• Arts and culture
• Environmental conservation
• Community development
• Nonprofit capacity building and sustainability

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Programs outside Chester County service area

Governance and Leadership

The foundation operates with 18 board members and 10 professional staff, supported by over 100 committee volunteers. The organization is currently conducting a CEO search following the retirement of long-serving President/CEO Karen Simmons after 25 years of leadership. The foundation emphasizes community leadership through initiatives like the IDEA Council and maintains strong volunteer engagement in grant-making decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with no strict deadlines. Organizations should submit proposals via email to grants@chescocf.org. The foundation accepts one proposal per organization annually and also recognizes the Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia's Common Grant Application as an alternative submission format.

Required materials include:

• Grant Proposal Summary Sheet
• Grant Proposal Narrative
• Supporting attachments

Decision Timeline

Grant decisions are made monthly, providing relatively quick turnaround times compared to many foundations. The rolling application process means organizations can apply when ready rather than waiting for specific deadline windows.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may submit one proposal annually. The foundation encourages nonprofits to engage in ongoing scenario planning and assessment of funding needs.

Application Success Factors

The foundation emphasizes several key factors for successful applications:

• Clear demonstration of Chester County service area impact
• Strong organizational capacity and sustainability planning
• Evidence of strategic thinking including "scenario planning, cash flow projections and funding risk assessment"
• Alignment with donor interests for fund-specific grants
• Collaborative approaches and partnership development
• Technology and infrastructure improvements that enhance service delivery

The foundation particularly values proposals that strengthen nonprofit resilience and long-term sustainability, reflecting their commitment to philanthropy that makes a difference "now & forever."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• CCCF offers flexible, rolling application deadlines with monthly decision-making, allowing organizations to apply when ready
• The foundation manages diverse funding sources through 430+ funds, meaning alignment with specific donor interests can be crucial
• Capacity building and organizational sustainability are priority areas, not just direct program support
• One proposal per year policy requires strategic timing and comprehensive requests
• The foundation values long-term community impact and endowment building
• Strong emphasis on nonprofit resilience, particularly post-pandemic scenario planning and risk assessment
• Email submission preferred, making the application process accessible and straightforward

References

• Chester County Community Foundation Official Website (https://chescocf.org) - Accessed January 2025
• CCCF Grant Application Guidelines (https://chescocf.org/receive/apply-for-grants/) - Accessed January 2025
• CCCF About Page (https://chescocf.org/about/) - Accessed January 2025
• CCCF Impact Sharing Guidelines (https://chescocf.org/sharing-the-impact/) - Accessed January 2025