2025-2026 Innovation & Collaboration Incubator Grant
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Definition of Innovation:

A new idea, method, or device; the introduction of something new; the process of creating, developing, or implementing new ideas, methods, products, services or solutions that bring about positive change or improvement. It involves transforming creative concepts into tangible outcomes that improve efficiency, and effectiveness, or address unmet needs.

Grant Purpose:

The purpose of the Innovation & Collaboration Incubator Grant is to encourage membership collaboration and engagement across all tier members to develop innovative programs that serve and expand program access to communities in the 7- SCFD counties.

Grant Goals:

  • To Serve the Public in the 7-SCFD Counties
  • Encourage Membership Collaboration and Engagement Across All Member Tiers

  • Create Learning Opportunities For All Members

Preference will be given to projects that:

  • Engage in New Partnerships or New Projects
  • Innovative Programs
  • Uniquely expand access and serve populations of the SCFD 7 County District
  • Merge Different Disciplines (ex. Arts and Science)
  • Serve Historically Marginalized Communities
  • Collaborate Across Tiers

Grant Timeline:

  • March 16, 2026 - Application Opens
  • April 20, 2026 - Grant Closes
  • June 1, 2026 - Grantees Announced
  • May 2027 - Projects Completed

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must name one or more members of the Collaborative of the SCFD. Visit our website to double check who is a member of the Collaborative. 

Collaborative Members can submit more than one application, if naming different collaborative partner(s) for a different project/program.

Pilot Year 2 2025/2026 is open to Full, Associate or Cultural Partner Levels

Awarded organizations from the first pilot year are ineligible and unable to apply for the grant in the second pilot year. 

Expectations of Grant Recipients:

One or more staff members involved from each grant project/program must be part of a virtual panel discussion at 6 months and at 12 months completion to serve as a learning opportunity for other member organizations. This will involve reporting on the project’s development and final outcomes. Brief report will be due but in survey format that will be provided by the Collaborative.

Award Distribution

Finalists may have a phone interview if the Peer Review Committee has further questions.

The Collaborative will send an email notification to grant award recipients by June 1, 2026.

Award funding will be sent to the Primary Organization applicant. It will be that organization’s responsibility to distribute funds to partnering organization(s) as indicated and agreed upon in the project/program. 

Primary Applicant organization must provide W-9.

All grants will be delivered through electronic funds transfer in June. No paper checks will be issued.


Conditions of Funding

In the event that the project/program was partially executed and unable to reach completion, any remaining grant funds must be returned. Final delivery of the approved project must take place by May 31, 2027.

Any unforeseen changes to the project/program after the grant cycle has started, must obtain approval by the Peer Review Committee.