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Foundations Community Partnership Inc

Annual Giving
$0.6M
Grant Range
$3K - $0.1M
Decision Time
2mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $580,561 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $19.8 million
  • Grant Range: $3,000 - $50,000
  • Number of Awards: 89 grants (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Bucks County, Pennsylvania only
  • Application Method: Mixed (fixed deadlines for most programs, rolling for rapid response)

Contact Details

Address: 1456 Ferry Road, Suite 404, Doylestown, PA 18901
Phone: (267) 247-5584
Email: info@fcpartnership.org
Website: https://fcpartnership.org

Overview

Founded in 2007 following the sale of Foundations Behavioral Health, Foundations Community Partnership (FCP) is a private, independent foundation established to improve the quality of life for children, young adults, and families in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. With over $19.8 million in assets and annual giving of approximately $580,561, FCP focuses exclusively on behavioral health and human service needs in Bucks County. The foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations, scholarships to high school seniors, service-learning internships for college students through its Summer Youth Corps program, and professional development opportunities through its #FCPresents series. Led by CEO Tobias Bruhn, Ed.D., CFRE, FCP has significantly expanded its grantmaking in recent years, awarding 89 grants in 2023 compared to 52 in 2022, reflecting growing community needs and the foundation's commitment to being a catalyst for collaborative problem-solving.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Bucks Innovation & Improvement Grants (BIIG): $10,000 - $15,000
Recognizes innovative programs and ideas to improve the lives of children, young adults, and families in Bucks County. Two annual cycles with Letter of Inquiry due October 1 (fall) and April 1 (spring), followed by full applications due October 15 and April 15 respectively.

Partnership in Youth Services (PYS) Grants: $3,000 - $5,000
Awards totaling $90,000 annually for programs solving community problems affecting children, young adults, and families. Applications due August 15 (fall cycle) and February 1 (spring cycle). Preference given to first-time applicants and those who haven't applied in the past 5 years. Spring cycle restricted to first-time applicants only.

Capital Improvement Grants: Up to $15,000
Supports structural facility improvements, extensive renovations, durable equipment additions, and IT infrastructure upgrades. Applications accepted through regular cycles.

Nonprofit Growth Grants (NGG): Up to $10,000
Supports organizational and professional development needs, including strategic planning and leadership training. May cover up to 90% of proposed project costs. Includes tuition assistance for certificate and master's programs in nonprofit management at La Salle University and Delaware Valley University (50% tuition reimbursement for approved candidates).

Target Funding-Rapid Response Grants: Up to $15,000
One-time grants for organizations that have received at least two previous FCP grants. Helps mitigate sudden loss of government funding or significant reimbursement delays (minimum six months). Rolling applications accepted until June 30, 2026 or until funds are depleted.

Emergency Action Grants: Up to $10,000
For human services organizations serving children, youth, and families that have experienced unanticipated reduction in public funding or non-reimbursable catastrophic events affecting direct service delivery.

Priority Areas

  • Behavioral health services for children, young adults, and families
  • Human services addressing community needs in Bucks County
  • Innovative programs and collaborative approaches
  • Organizational capacity building for nonprofits
  • Youth development and family support services
  • Programs serving vulnerable populations including those affected by substance use disorders, autism, abuse, and trauma

What They Don't Fund

  • Government agencies and public schools
  • Organizations not classified as 501(c)(3) under Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2)
  • Organizations not serving Bucks County residents
  • Programs outside behavioral health and human services for children, young adults, and families
  • Organizations not in good standing with FCP (outstanding reporting requirements)

Governance and Leadership

CEO: Tobias Bruhn, Ed.D., CFRE
Board Chair: Falesha R. Grasty

Board Members (12 total) include professionals from diverse backgrounds:

  • Morgan Bryan, MS - Manager-Partnerships & Grants, Travis Manion Foundation
  • Dr. Patricia Stern Smallacombe - Associate Dean-Academic Partnerships, Bucks County Community College

The foundation's board brings expertise from banking, law, education, and human services sectors. FCP operates with core values of commitment to public good, responsible resource stewardship, effective governance, integrity, and respect for diversity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications are submitted through the FOUNDANT online platform. First-time users need to create an account. FCP uses a two-stage process for most competitive grants:

BIIG Grants:

  1. Submit Letter of Inquiry (October 1 for fall, April 1 for spring)
  2. If invited, submit full application (October 15 for fall, April 15 for spring)
  3. First-time applicants invited to initial "get-to-know-you" meeting

PYS Grants:

  1. Complete brief online application (August 15 for fall, February 1 for spring)
  2. Selected applicants invited to discuss project with Board of Directors

Target Funding/Rapid Response Grants:

  • Rolling applications until funds depleted
  • FCP may schedule follow-up meetings for additional information

Application Requirements:

  • Only complete applications submitted by deadline will be considered
  • Applications must align with FCP's mission
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed
  • Automated emails sent as applicants complete different steps
  • Provide measurable benchmarks and expected outcomes
  • Must submit 6-month progress report (for BIIG) and 12-month final report

Decision Timeline

While specific decision timelines are not publicly stated, FCP announces grant awards typically at the conclusion of each cycle. Recent announcements show grants awarded in fall and spring cycles. Representatives respond to email and telephone communications within 24 hours, demonstrating strong applicant support.

Success Rates

FCP awarded 89 grants in 2023, up from 52 in 2022 and 64 in 2021, showing significant growth in grantmaking activity. In recent cycles, the foundation has awarded between 21-30 grants per cycle, with recent cycles including 15-18 BIIG grants, 8-12 Capital Improvement Grants, and occasional Nonprofit Growth Grants. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

For Partnership in Youth Services grants, preference is given to first-time applicants and those who haven't applied in the past 5 years. The spring PYS cycle is restricted exclusively to first-time applicants. This suggests unsuccessful applicants can reapply but may face increased competition from new applicants. No explicit waiting period is stated for other grant programs.

Application Success Factors

Based on FCP's stated priorities and recent grantmaking patterns, successful applications demonstrate:

Alignment with Mission: FCP emphasizes that applications must align with their mission supporting "behavioral health and human service needs of children, young adults, and families in Bucks County." Projects should clearly articulate how they address these specific needs.

Innovation and Collaboration: The BIIG program specifically "recognizes innovative programs and ideas." Recent grantees have included innovative approaches like integrating behavioral and medical health services, providing equestrian therapy for abuse survivors, and RBT training to expand autism treatment capacity.

Measurable Outcomes: Applications must provide "measurable benchmarks throughout the grant term" and "expected outcomes at the conclusion of the grant period." FCP values data-driven approaches demonstrating impact.

Complete Applications: FCP explicitly states that "only complete applications, submitted by eligible nonprofits, will receive consideration." Attention to detail and following guidelines precisely is critical.

Organizational Readiness: Through GuideStar verification and review of independent audits and financial statements, FCP assesses organizational stability. Strong financial management is important.

Examples of Recently Funded Projects:

  • Aark Wildlife and Education Center: Expanding summer camp serving 120 children including those with special needs
  • Family Service Association: Support groups for children/teens impacted by parental substance use disorders
  • Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership: Integrated behavioral and medical health services at free clinic
  • Potential Inc.: RBT training to expand quality autism treatment
  • A Woman's Place: Parent training, bonding activities, and equestrian therapy for abuse survivors
  • Bethany Christian Services: Resettlement services for Ukrainian refugees

Strategic Advice: FCP recommends visiting Philanthropy Network Greater Philadelphia and the Council on Foundations for grant writing tips. Their representatives are "immediately accessible" and respond within 24 hours, suggesting applicants should not hesitate to reach out with questions during the application process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic restriction is absolute: Only Bucks County, Pennsylvania nonprofits are eligible—ensure your services clearly benefit Bucks County residents
  • First-time applicants have advantages: PYS grants give preference to new applicants and those who haven't applied in 5 years; use this to your advantage if you're new to FCP
  • Two-stage process requires strategic planning: For BIIG grants, focus on a compelling Letter of Inquiry first; save detailed work for full application if invited
  • Innovation matters: FCP specifically seeks "innovative ideas"—highlight what makes your approach new, collaborative, or uniquely effective
  • Responsiveness is excellent: With 24-hour response times, don't hesitate to contact FCP with questions at (267) 247-5584 or info@fcpartnership.org
  • Build relationships over time: Multiple grant programs and capacity-building support suggest FCP invests in long-term partnerships with strong organizations
  • Completion and alignment are non-negotiable: Late, incomplete, or misaligned applications are automatically rejected—follow guidelines precisely and submit on time

References

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