Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation – Quarterly Grants (2026)

Larger Community Grants Supporting Nonprofits in Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, Massachusetts

The Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations serving Martha’s Vineyard and the Town of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Funding supports programs and projects addressing affordable housing, climate and environmental needs, food security, community services, education, health, arts and culture, economic development, elder services, and other local priorities.

The Foundation’s quarterly grant cycle is intended for larger funding requests. Applications for the fourth-quarter 2026 review are due September 9, 2026.

Organization: Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation
Support Type: Charitable grants for programs, projects, and eligible capital expenditures
Geographic Focus: Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth, Massachusetts
Deadline: September 9, 2026
Review Cycle: Fourth quarter 2026

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

The Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities in Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth.

The Foundation considers applications monthly or quarterly, depending on the amount requested and whether the organization has previously received a grant. Quarterly reviews are designed for larger program and project requests that exceed the Foundation’s monthly grant thresholds.

What This Program Supports

The Foundation supports nonprofit programs and projects in the following areas:

Affordable Housing

Programs that improve access to safe, stable, and affordable housing for residents of Martha’s Vineyard and Falmouth.

Climate & Environment

Environmental conservation, climate resilience, sustainability, coastal protection, and community-based environmental initiatives.

Community Services & Food Security

Programs that provide essential services, address food insecurity, and help individuals and families meet basic needs.

Culture, Art & Historic Heritage

Projects that support local arts, cultural programming, historic preservation, and access to community cultural resources.

Economic Development

Initiatives that strengthen the local economy, expand opportunity, support workforce development, or improve long-term community stability.

Education

Educational programs, enrichment opportunities, youth development initiatives, and projects that improve access to learning.

Elder Services

Programs supporting older adults, caregivers, healthy aging, social connection, transportation access, and essential services.

Health & Human Need

Health, wellness, human services, and programs assisting individuals and families experiencing hardship.

Special Capital Expenditures

Eligible capital expenses associated with a clearly defined nonprofit program, project, or community need may also be considered.

Eligible Support Types

Funding may support:

• Nonprofit programs and projects
• Community-based services
• Program-related equipment and resources
• Eligible special capital expenditures
• New or continuing initiatives
• Larger requests that exceed the monthly review thresholds

Applications must be submitted for a specific program or project. Organizations requesting support for an event should use the Foundation’s separate sponsorship application.

Funding Amounts

The quarterly review process applies to:

• New funding requests over $5,000
• Repeat funding requests over $10,000

A repeat request generally refers to an application from an organization that has previously received funding from the Foundation.

Requests of $50,000 or more are accepted by invitation only. Organizations seeking at least $50,000 must first submit a Letter of Interest describing the proposed program or project. The Foundation will provide additional instructions if the organization is invited to submit a full application.

The Foundation will not serve as the sole funder of a program or project. Applicants should identify other committed, pending, or anticipated sources of financial support.

Eligibility & Preferences

Eligible applicants must:

• Be recognized as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
• Conduct work benefiting Martha’s Vineyard or Falmouth, Massachusetts
• Have been established for at least one year, based on the date shown on the organization’s IRS determination letter
• Apply for a specific program or project
• Include a detailed project or program budget
• Identify additional funding sources for the proposed work
• Include a detailed plan for communicating and recognizing the Foundation’s support
• Submit all requested documents in PDF format

Organizations may submit only one grant application during any rolling 12-month period.

Ineligible Requests

The Foundation does not fund:

• Individuals
• Religious organizations or religious programs
• Municipal or governmental organizations
• Salaries
• Travel expenses
• Meals
• Housing costs
• Organizations that have been operating for less than one year
• Programs or projects for which the Foundation would be the sole funder
• Conduit organizations, unified funds, or entities primarily established to redistribute funds to other organizations

Requests related to events should be submitted through the Foundation’s sponsorship application rather than the grant application.

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

• Proof of 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Information about the organization and its work
• A description of the proposed program or project
• The community need being addressed
• The anticipated beneficiaries and geographic service area
• A detailed project or program budget
• Information about additional funding sources
• A plan for outreach and recognition of the Foundation’s support
• Required organizational and financial documentation

All submitted documentation must be in PDF format.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Deadline: September 9, 2026
📅 Review Cycle: Fourth quarter 2026
📅 Decision Timeline: Generally within 30 days after the review
📅 Application Frequency: One application per rolling 12-month period

The next published quarterly deadline is:

• January 13, 2027, for the first-quarter 2027 review

Organizations seeking smaller amounts may qualify for the Foundation’s monthly review process instead.

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through the Martha’s Vineyard Bank Charitable Foundation’s online grant application system.

Before applying, organizations should confirm that:

• Their work benefits Martha’s Vineyard or Falmouth
• They have operated for at least one year
• Their request exceeds the applicable monthly funding threshold
• The request is for a defined program or project
• The Foundation will not be the sole funder
• A detailed project budget is available
• A communications and recognition plan has been prepared
• All required documents are saved in PDF format

Organizations seeking $50,000 or more must begin with a Letter of Interest and may submit a full request only if invited.

Questions may be directed to foundation@mvbank.com.

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://community.mvbank.com/foundation-grants

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:

• Serve Martha’s Vineyard or Falmouth
• Have established 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
• Are requesting more than $5,000 for a new funding request
• Previously received Foundation support and are requesting more than $10,000
• Have a clearly defined program, project, budget, and community impact plan
• Address local priorities such as housing, food security, education, health, environmental sustainability, arts, economic development, or elder services
• Can demonstrate that additional funders or revenue sources will support the proposed work

The quarterly grant cycle is best suited for established local nonprofits seeking larger, project-specific awards and able to demonstrate broad community benefit and diversified financial support.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Deadline: September 9, 2026
Review Type: Quarterly review
Review Cycle: Fourth quarter 2026
Decision Timeline: Generally within 30 days after review
Funding Level: New requests over $5,000; repeat requests over $10,000
Requests of $50,000 or More: Invitation only following a Letter of Interest
Best Suited For: Established nonprofits serving Martha’s Vineyard or Falmouth with larger program or project funding needs
Important Restriction: The Foundation cannot be the sole funder of the proposed work
Application Limit: One application per rolling 12-month period
Geographic Tags: Massachusetts, Martha’s Vineyard, Falmouth