Grants are only made to organizations located and/or conducting activities in the 12-county NMF service area. Applicants must be public agencies, local governments, or private nonprofits with a 501(c)(3) federal tax-exempt status.

The purpose of the Community Connections Program is to help organizations develop new networks, foster coalition building and promote collaborations between human service providers, other organizations, and/or public agencies. Applicants must be qualified nonprofit organizations or public agencies located within NMF’s twelve-county service area.

NMF will consider projects that address one or more of the following:

• Joint ventures leading to increased effectiveness and efficiency among organizations and/or public agencies;
• Cooperative planning and implementation, including shared resources, staffing, programs or possible mergers between organizations andor public agencies.

Community Planning Program grants will be considered for the design and implementation of plans that address one or more of the following priorities:

• Comprehensive community development, including plans for recreational parks and trails.com
• Effective management of community growth.
• Economic development.

Caring Communities Program grants will be considered for new, innovative efforts, including faith-based initiatives, that address the needs of children, families and the elderly, and that focus on one or more of the following priorities:

• Reducing the incidence of physical and emotional violence among children.
• Alleviating childhood dysfunction in the areas of learning, social development and health.
• Preventing at risk behaviors (such as eating disorders, promiscuity, depression, suicidal tendencies and the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) among children and adolescents.
• Enabling the elderly to reamin health, integrated members of their communities

Natural Resource Program grants will be considered for projects that address one or more of the following priorities:

• Research to promote sustainable development strategies and new processing methods that add value to local resources. Priority will be given to projects involving energery conservation, renewable fuels and/or alternative energy technologies.
• Promoting the sustainable use and preservation of the natural resource base.