The PATH to $500,000

The PATH Foundation has announced up to $500,000 in available funds for general operations grants for qualifying nonprofits in Fauquier, Rappahannock and northern Culpeper counties. The funds, according to PATH, will offer unrestricted funding for nonprofits to use towards general expenses such as rent, utilities and equipment.

Christy Connolly, the foundation’s president and CEO, referenced philanthropy studies as the motivation for the latest round of PATH’s funding, “We’ve seen a trend within charitable foundations of making sure to not only fund the programmatic efforts of nonprofits, but also to help fund their dayto-day operations. Many nonprofits operate with a very small staff with multiple responsibilities. These general operations grants are designed to ease the burden of funding these regular expenses, allowing the nonprofits to do what they do best — help our community.”

Criteria for the general operations grants is rigorous, with the goal of rewarding strong nonprofits. Areas that will be evaluated include governance, finance, programs and public disclosure. Organizations that currently meet or are working toward a majority of the best practices outlined in the guidelines are encouraged to apply for funds.

“Our purpose for offering these grants is twofold,” Connolly added. “We want to empower exceptional nonprofits so they can expand the good work they’re doing in our area, as well as establish a shared standard of best practices that can be a goal for all nonprofits, no matter their size or scope.”

The deadline for applying for the general operations grants is Sept. 16. For information on grant guidelines and principles of best practice, visit pathforyou.org/ grants.