Grants & Sponsorships

The Charitable Foundation provides grants and sponsorships to support organizations, events, and educators working to strengthen Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth. Funding helps address local needs and enrich community life across the region.

$ 9.3 M
in grants since 2019
$ 891,120
awarded in 2025
89
nonprofits supported in 2025

Art of Teaching Grant Application Opening Soon

Applications will be open this year from August 27th – September 23rd.

Martha's Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation Grant Recipient Badge

Monthly & Quarterly Grants

Grants are awarded throughout the year to organizations addressing community needs across Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, from housing and healthcare to education and the environment.

See the Grant Application Checklist for full requirements.

Eligibility

  • Registered 501(c)(3) serving Martha's Vineyard or Falmouth
  • In operation for at least one year as determined by IRS Letter of Determination date
  • Detailed project budget and outreach plan with complete timeline and measurable outcomes
  • IRS Letter of Determination required (state tax-exempt forms not accepted)
Martha's Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation Art of Teaching Grants Badge

Art of Teaching Grants

These grants support public school educators who bring creative projects and hands-on experiences into classrooms. Awards of up to $1,500 support materials, activities, and resources that promote learning.

Applications open: 8/27/26 - 9/23/26

See the Art of Teaching Grant Checklist for full requirements.

Eligibility

  • Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth public school teachers and administrators
  • Projects must extend learning beyond core curriculum
  • Detailed outreach plans and project budget required
Martha's Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation Community Choice Grant Badge

Community Choice Grants

Local nonprofits nominate themselves for the Community Choice Grant program. After nominations close, the public votes to determine which organizations will receive funding.

This happens once a year, typically in late winter. Nomination and voting links will go live during that time. 

See the CCG Nomination Checklist for full requirements.

Eligibility

  • Registered 501(c)(3) serving Martha's Vineyard or Falmouth
  • The organization made a notable community impact during the previous year
Martha's Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation Proud Sponsor Badge

Sponsorships

Sponsorships support nonprofit events that bring people together for important causes, from 5K runs and golf tournaments to arts festivals and local fundraisers.

See the Sponsorship Application Checklist for full requirements.

Eligibility

  • Registered 501(c)(3) serving Martha's Vineyard or Falmouth
  • Detailed event budget and outreach plan required
  • Requests must be received at least six weeks before the event
  • One application per rolling 12-month period, covering up to three events

Grants & Sponsorships FAQs

Who can apply

You must be a qualified 501(c)(3) organization based on Martha's Vineyard or in Falmouth, MA, or provide significant services in these areas. An IRS Letter of Determination is required with each application. The Charitable Foundation cannot fund individuals, faith-based organizations, or political organizations.

Organizations under one year old, as determined by the date of the IRS Letter of Determination, do not qualify for Charitable Foundation support.

What we fund

Our grants support work in the areas of education, economic development, climate and environment, health and human services, culture, art and historic heritage, affordable housing, elder services, and community services.

What we don't fund

To ensure support reaches the communities and causes where it can do the most good, the Charitable Foundation does not fund:

  • Organizations established less than one year prior to application, as determined by verified IRS Letter of Determination date
  • Salaries (stipends and other personnel costs may be considered on a case-by-case basis)
  • Travel, meals, housing, or lodging
  • Individuals (the Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program is the exception)
  • Faith-based, municipal, or governmental organizations (an exception applies to the Art of Teaching Grants for public school teachers)
  • "Conduit" organizations, unified funds, or entities whose primary purpose is to distribute funds on behalf of donors
  • Administration or contingency costs within any funded project or program

Requests for large grants (over $50K)

Grant requests over $50,000 are by invitation only. Organizations may submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) describing the project or program. The LOI will be reviewed, after which the organization may or may not be invited to apply.

If the project or program is determined to fit within the focus of the Charitable Foundation, an invitation to apply will be extended for the specific project or program described in the LOI. These grants are decided over an extended period.

What to include in your application

Full details about the project or program are required, including:

  • A project/program budget (we recommend this Budget Template if you need one)
  • A plan for Outreach & Communication
  • Your IRS Letter of Determination (Mass. Dept. of Revenue forms will not be accepted)
  • Measurable outcomes
  • A complete timeline
Applications with missing information will not be considered.
All application attachments must be in PDF format.

You may start an application and save your work to continue later. 

Monthly & quarterly grant application deadlines

For new grant requests under $5,000 and repeat requests under $10,000, decisions are made on a monthly basis as outlined below. 

 

Review Month Deadline
March 2026 February 26th
April 2026 March 25th
May 2026 April 30th
June 2026 May 28th
July 2026 June 25th
August 2026 July 30th
September 2026 August 27th
October 2026 September 24th
November 2026 October 29th
December 2026 November 24th
January 2027 December 28th
February 2027 January 28th, 2027
March 2027 February 25th, 2027
April 2027 April 1st, 2027

 

For new grant requests over $5,000 and repeat requests over $10,000, decisions are made on a quarterly basis as outlined below. 

 

Review Quarter Deadline
Q1 2026 December 11th, 2025
Q2 2026 March 11th, 2026
Q3 2026 June 10th, 2026
Q4 2026 September 9th, 2026
Q1 2027 January 13th, 2027

 

Art of Teaching grant info

Art of Teaching Project Grants fund initiatives that enrich public school students’ education by providing resources beyond the standard curriculum.

Funding may cover equipment and teaching materials, author visits, creative writing workshops, and more. Grants of up to $1,500 are available per individual application.

Educators and administrators from Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth public school districts may apply.

The application window typically aligns with the start of the school year. 

Community Choice grant info

This is an annual program where local nonprofits nominate themselves and the community votes to determine which organizations receive a grant. We share more information here on the Charitable Foundation site and also on Martha's Vineyard Bank’s social media channels leading up to and during nomination and voting periods.

Sponsorship application deadlines

For new sponsorship requests under $5,000 and repeat requests under $10,000, decisions are made on a monthly basis outlined below. Requests must be submitted at least six weeks before an event to be considered for funding.

 

Review Month Deadline
March 2026 February 26th
April 2026 March 25th
May 2026 April 30th
June 2026 May 28th
July 2026 June 25th
August 2026 July 30th
September 2026 August 27th
October 2026 September 24th
November 2026 October 29th
December 2026 November 24th
January 2027 December 28th
February 2027 January 28th, 2027
March 2027 February 25th, 2027
April 2027 April 1st, 2027

 

Giving in Action

Martha's Vineyard Charitable Foundation Grant Recipient Badge
$250,000 to YMCA of Cape Cod

This grant will support the capital campaign to build a space that fosters learning, connection, and community growth. Through this initiative, the YMCA strengthens its capacity to support children, families, and residents across the region while deepening its role as a cornerstone for community well-being.

Phillip J Norton Jr. Scholarship Badge 2026
Amy Heil: Advancing Youth Mentorship

Amy is pursuing a M.Ed in Nonprofit Management and Community Engagement at Merrimack College. She has supported Island families since 2017 with her work with MV Community Services. Her scholarship supports her continued focus on youth mentorship and community programs.

Art of Teaching Grant Badge
Ben Hughes: Turning Kids Into Creators

An Art of Teaching Grant helped Ben Hughes build a recording studio at the Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School.

"A lot of kids are consumers of technology, scrolling all the time. This lets them be producers and artists."

View Our 2025 Art of Giving Program

Previous Charitable Foundation Giving Programs

Contact Us

Have questions about the Charitable Foundation? Reach out to our team and we will be happy to help.