WLW CATALYST GRANTS GUIDE
WLW CATALYST GRANTS
The Community Foundation of Broward invites nonprofit arts and cultural organizations to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for the newly established WLW Catalyst Grants.
The WLW Catalyst Grants are intended to have a transformative impact, enabling arts and cultural organizations to significantly strengthen their existing programs, implement bold new initiatives, substantially increase reach, and/or enhance organizational capabilities.
HOW TO APPLY
Step 1
Step 2
Review requirements and determine alignment:
Before submitting a Letter of Intent, please review this guide to ensure your organization and project are eligible to receive a WLW Catalyst Grant Confirm that your proposed project’s goals and objectives align with those of the WLW Catalyst Grants
Complete the online Eligibility Quiz and Letter of Intent (LOI):
Letters of Intent are accepted through our online grant portal only Before being able to access the LOI, each applicant must pass the grant Eligibility Quiz
The LOI will request information about the project and organization budget, description of your proposed project, and target population
Step 3
LOI decisions made:
You will be informed in writing via email whether your organization has been selected to submit a full grant proposal according to the timeline on page 4 Those selected will have approximately four weeks to submit their applications Applicants should be prepared to make appropriate staff available for online interviews about the proposed project in the weeks following the application due date
Step 4
Grant decisions made:
Final decisions about proposals will be made according to the timeline on page 4
An organization may receive full or partial funding, or we may decline to fund a project Grant notifications will be received in writing via email
WHO CAN APPLY
NONPROFITS THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS BELOW ARE WELCOME TO APPLY. ORGANIZATIONS MUST:
1. Have active 501(c)(3) public charity status themselves or have a fiscal sponsor with active 501(c)(3) public charity status
2. Demonstrate substantial operations in Broward County serving Broward residents (need not be headquartered in Broward)
3. Show a minimum of 3 years of operating history
4. Be in good standing with Community Foundation of Broward (up to date on any applicable reporting for previously awarded grants)
HOW MUCH CAN BE REQUESTED
Maximum grant requests may not exceed $100,000 per year for up to two years.
WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR
The purpose of the WLW Catalyst Grants is to empower arts and cultural organizations to think strategically and imaginatively about how to strengthen and broaden their impact As such, Letters of Intent are expected to demonstrate how a proposed project will accomplish at least one of the following:
• Significantly strengthen an existing program
• Implement a bold new initiative
• Substantially increase organizational reach
• Enhance organizational capabilities
In addition, preference will be shown for proposed projects that focus on any of the following:
• Collaboration with other nonprofit organizations
• Education and youth enrichment programs that provide exposure to the arts
• Initiatives that provide access to the arts for underserved youth
All Letters of Intent (and subsequent applications) will be evaluated based on the strength of the proposed project and alignment with the goals and objectives of the WLW Catalyst Grants set forth above We anticipate a competitive process with more submissions than funds available
Are there any arts and culture-focused requests the WLW Catalyst Grants would not consider supporting?
• Requests for capital projects, general operations, fundraising event sponsorships, annual campaigns, endowments, memorials or reducing deficits are not consistent with the goals and objectives of the WLW Catalyst Grants
• The WLW Catalyst Grants are intended to support organizations whose missions are focused on arts and culture Therefore, human/social service organizations are not eligible to apply
• Requests from organizations that, in their constitution or practice, discriminate against a person or group based on religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, political affiliation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or age
If my organization currently has a focus area grant, designated grant, donor-advised grant or an agency fund with the Foundation, can we submit a Letter of Intent for the WLW Catalyst Grants?
Yes!
WLW CATALYST GRANTS TIMELINE
CONTACTS:
Questions about the WLW Catalyst Grants Guide, LOI and Application
Bethany Burkhart Coordinator, Donor Services bburkhart@cfbroward org
Grant Portal Technical Assistance
Noel Mitchell Manager, Community Impact nmitchell@cfbroward org
Nonprofit Training Resources and Support
Cathy Brown
Director, Broward Center for Nonprofit Excellence cbrown@cfbroward org
910 East Las Olas Boulevard | Suite 200 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 t 954.761.9503 | cfbroward.org
Publication Date: April 2025