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Tau

Program Description

Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ FY25 Tau Grants will offer unrestricted general operating  for nonprofits that provide services to the following marginalized groups: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LGBTQ+, Individuals with disabilities, and/or Other historically disenfranchised groups.

General operating grants support the organization’s overall mission and goals not specific projects or programs. General operating support grants should help strengthen the organization or further its charitable purpose. Examples include strategic planning, technology upgrades, and infrastructure costs such as utilities, rent, and personnel. 

Focus Areas

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Tau Grants will focus on nonprofit organizations working in one or more of the following areas:

  • ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE : Healthcare access is the ability to obtain healthcare services such as diagnosis, prevention or treatment that’s affordable and convenient. * Examples may include organizations focused on providing health services to underinsured or uninsured individuals or assisting with health insurance enrollment.
  • ECONOMIC MOBILITY: Economic mobility is the ability of individuals to improve themselves and their families' economic condition. Examples may include organizations focused on jon training/placement, entrepreneurship, social assistance, or financial literacy.
  • BASIC NEEDS: Basic needs are the essential material requirements for daily life and include:
  • Food - access to healthy and adequate food supply
  • Shelter - a safe and secure place to live, with access to utilities like elctricity, water, and heating and cooling
  • Clothing - adequate clothing for protection and comfort
  • Hygiene Items - essential products for personl health or cleanliness
  • Transportation - ability to travel to jobs and essential services
  • Access to Information - free, easy to find, and useful information so individuals can make independent decisions; includes internet access

Eligibility

To be considered for funding the organization must meet ALL of the following requirements:

  • The organization has an operating budget of less than $1 million.
  • Serve residents in one or more of the following counties: Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Martin, Hillsborough, and Pinellas.
  • The organization does not have an active Tau grant; if you have an active Tau grant, you may not apply until the current grant is completed with a final report.
  • At least 50% of the organization’s population served falls within the marginalized groups identified.
  • At least 25% of staff leadership (leadership team as you define it) includes individuals who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or persons with a disability.
  • Have received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service confirming its exemption from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Be willing and able to comply with all requirements of the Allegany Franciscan Ministries Grant Agreement.*

*See Sample Agreement

Limitations

  • Only one application may be submitted for an organization per cycle..
  • Tau grants are not available for individuals, public agencies, capital campaigns,or endowments.

Priority Criteria

Priority will be given to organizations that meet all or most of the following criteria:

  • The application is clear about what the organization does and who is served.
  • The need for funding is explained and is reasonable.
  • The organization has been established for one year or longer.
  • The organization did not receive a Tau grant from July 2023 – June 2024.
  • The organization strives to incorporate the viewpoint of individuals who are served.

Total Awards

We anticipate making up to 30 Tau grants altogether (about 15 per cycle) in FY25. Each grant will be for a two-year term and may total up to $20,000; the amount per year may be any amount as long as the total is not more than $20,000.

Application Process

The online application may accessed by clicking the ACCESS GRANT PORTAL link at the bottom of this page. If this is your first time applying, read VIEW GRANT PORTAL FAQs &  INSTRUCTIONS.

Receipt of the application will be confirmed by automated email.

Past Tau Grants Awarded

FY24 Tau Grant List

Reference Documents

FY25 Tau Grant Application Questions*

Coming soon.

*Application questions are provided in advance for reference only. Applications must be submitted online using the Access Grant Portal button at the bottom of this page.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Francis of Assisi adopted the Tau symbol as his signature on letters. For St. Francis, the Tau was a loving symbol of God’s intense relationship of love and the mystery of faith. St. Francis had the symbol carved on the walls of his cell as the sign of genuine hope and faith in God.

Allegany Franciscan Ministries uses this symbol as part of our logo and as the name for our Tau Grant program, to connect us to St. Francis and the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, and to remind us of our commitment to those who are
experiencing poverty and those who have been historically marginalized.

For Allegany Franciscan Ministries, “public agencies” refers to state, county, and local governmental agencies; these entities are not eligible for a Tau Grant from us. Public universities and colleges may not apply directly for funding. However, if a state university or college has set up a separate foundation, the foundation may apply for funds. The foundation must meet all our eligibility criteria, including 501(c)(3) designation. In addition, a public agency may be a partner in an initiative with another organization that serves as the lead agency; this project would be eligible. Beyond these two specific grant programs, we are open to partnerships with public agencies.
Organizations cannot apply for a Tau Grant if they have an active grant of the same type. However, grant partners with one type of active grant (e.g., Tau Grant) can apply for a different type of grant (e.g., ACOR Grant) in the same year. This guiding principle is Allegany Franciscan Ministries’ intentional effort to create equitable opportunity and access to our funding for many diverse and exceptional organizations and programs. In addition, Tau Grants are not intended to provide ongoing funding, thus we do not renew grants annually.

For Tau Grants, a maximum of one request can be submitted per organization per cycle so if your request is denied, another cannot be submitted until the next cycle.

Questions?

Contact or schedule office hours with Erin Baird for grant program questions and Carla Batts for grant portal questions.

Grant Portal Information

Applications must be accessed and completed through our online grant portal. Returning and new applicants and active grant partners can access the grant portal here.

Contact Carla Batts at [email protected] for questions about Grant Portal.

View Portal FAQS & Instructions
Access Grant Portal
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