The Guilford Foundation (TGF) awarded $132,740 through 36 Community Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations serving Guilford residents in 2026. Grants ranged from $1,250 to $7,000 and supported a broad range of local programs and services, including children and youth initiatives, human services, arts and culture, education, wellness, senior services, environmental efforts, and basic needs support.

This year marked another significant increase in demand for funding. TGF received 50 grant applications requesting more than $304,000 in support, representing a 58% increase over 2024 numbers. The growth reflects both the strength of Guilford’s nonprofits and the increasing needs across the community.

“This was an especially thoughtful and challenging grant cycle,” said TGF Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. “Our Community Investment Committee spent many hours reviewing every application individually and discussing how to balance community reach, organizational impact, and long-term sustainability. The reality is that there were far more deserving requests than available funding, which speaks both to the quality of the organizations applying and the growing needs within our community.”

Applications represented a wide range of community needs and opportunities. The Foundation’s volunteer Community Investment Committee conducted a rigorous review process over the course of six meetings plus extensive independent application review outside of meetings.

A majority of the funding was directed to Human Services, Children & Youth, and Arts, Culture, & Heritage. The committee worked to ensure grants collectively represented meaningful community impact across multiple focus areas.

The grant breakdown by the Foundation’s focus areas is as follows:

• 25% Human Services
• 23% Children & Youth
• 23% Arts, Culture, & Heritage
• 8% Basic Needs
• 7% Education
• 5% Seniors
• 5% Wellness & Mental Health
• 2% Environment
• 2% Civic Engagement

Community Investment Committee Chair Stephanie Little Brown emphasized the care and deliberation that shaped this year’s decisions.

“Every application represented important work happening in our community, and the committee took that responsibility seriously,” said Little Brown. “There is no simple formula for grantmaking. We spent a great deal of time discussing where funding could make the greatest difference. While we always wish we could do more, the process reminds us how important it is to continue growing TGF’s endowment so we can expand support in the years ahead.”

Recipients for 2026 include organizations providing early childhood education, youth mentorship, food security, mental health services, arts programming, support for seniors and veterans, environmental initiatives, and community-based cultural programming.

Our annual grantmaking remains at the heart of our mission to enrich the quality of life in Guilford by connecting people who care with causes that matter,” added Janssen Petra. “We are deeply grateful to the donors who make this work possible and who understand the importance of investing locally in the organizations that strengthen our community every day.”

The Guilford Foundation’s Community Impact Grants are supported through the Foundation’s permanent endowment, which includes a portfolio of 87 donor-established charitable funds.