Sharing montgomery - Letter of Inquiry
summer 2024

For over 25 years, Sharing Montgomery Fund of the Greater Washington Community Foundation has supported high-impact nonprofits serving Montgomery County’s low-income residents. We are proud of the ways these organizations have responded to the community’s needs and worked in partnership toward our shared vision a more equitable, just, and thriving Montgomery County.

As part of The Community Foundation’s 10-year strategic plan, the Sharing Montgomery Fund is focused on addressing urgent community needs, advancing economic justice, and, ultimately, working to close the racial/ethnic wealth gap which undermines the health and stability of our entire community.  Therefore, Sharing Montgomery’s grantmaking priorities for this year include:

• Basic needs for our low-income neighbors (e.g., access to resources for health and mental health, food security, affordable housing, childcare and education, and interventions which help families transition from crisis to recovery).

• Economic mobility resources that enable people to chart a pathway out of poverty (e.g., access to education, training, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, etc.).

• Individual and Community Wealth Building opportunities which empower people with the financial and social capital needed to build wealth so they can weather crises and pursue their dreams. 

Application Process: 

Sharing Montgomery has a two-stage application process.  To minimize administrative burden for potential applicants, The Community Foundation has opened an initial “call for ideas” for stage one, using a simplified form that enables nonprofits in the county to share information about their work.  Staff will contact those selected to submit a full proposal by October 2024.  Additionally, the staff may reach out at any time of year if we encounter another grant opportunity that may be a good fit.

Use of Grant Dollars: 

Sharing Montgomery grants will provide flexible general operating support for work serving Montgomery County’s low-income residents. Nonprofits may apply those resources wherever the need is greatest to advance their missions. (Note: Grants to regional organizations will be earmarked to support efforts in the county.)

The Community Foundation hosted an informational webinar for applicants on Thursday, July 20 (Link to Recording Below)