Niagara Funders Alliance
Niagara Community Foundation helps facilitate the Niagara Funders Alliance, a network of funding organizations that service the Niagara Region.
Charity Resources
NCF empowers the charitable sector here in Niagara through grants, resources, governance coaching, and professional development opportunities. On this page, charity partners will find guides and resources to better amplify your message and allow you to confidently share your story.
Grant Acknowledgement Guidelines
NCF grantees are required to acknowledge each grant received. Please refer to the guidelines listed below for the various different aspects of your acknowledgement.
By promoting the funding you received from NCF, you are helping us encourage future donors to turn their intent into impact through NCF; your story helps demonstrate the impact of our work in the community.
Tab through the different guidelines below to see what is required.
For all grant acknowledgement inquiries, questions or concerns, please email communications@niagaracommunityfoundation.org.
GUIDELINES
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Publicize Receipt of Grant
Please share the news of your grant through a media release, social media posts, newsletters, brochures, financial statements, community/daily newspapers, board and committee meetings, donor lists, annual reports, etc.
Grants approved by NCF’s Board of Directors are reported to the community through NCF’s annual report, press releases, and other publications.
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Social Media Post
Whenever possible, please include a social media post to acknowledge the grant received. Please tag NCF on all your posts so that we can reshare your good news.
Facebook- @NiagaraCF
Instagram- @NiagaraCommunityFoundation
LinkedIn- @NiagaraCF
Not comfortable making your own graphics? We have created some easy-to-use Canva templates for your convenience. Find the templates in our Resource Library below.
Feel free to use the following hashtags within your social media posts: #NCFCharityPartner #NCFGrants #DavidSHowesGrant #NiagaraCF #NiagaraCommunityFoundation #NiagaraPhilanthropy
- Logo & Brand Guidelines
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Use of NCF Logo
Whenever possible, please include the NCF logo on all publicized materials including (but not limited to), website, signage, brochures, posters, flyers, videos etc. Please send a draft of any published materials to NCF's staff before publication to ensure brand guidelines are followed.
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Donor Wall or Signage
Some organizations chose to use a donor wall to recognize the contributions of the community. If you are listing an NCF grant on your donor wall, please follow this template:
Niagara Community Foundation- [Fund Name]
For signage that supports your program, we recommend that you include the NCF Main logo. If your design allows for it, you can include a simple acknowledgement such as:
This project was made possible with the generous support of the Niagara Community Foundation- [Grant Name] Program.
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Written Grant Acknowledgement
Highlight the support your organization has received by recognizing NCF on your website and all promotional and resource materials developed for and by the funded activity for the period of one year from the receipt of the grant, with the NCF logo and the following acknowledgement where appropriate:
“(GRANTEE) gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Niagara Community Foundation (NCF); a public foundation serving the people of Niagara since 2000. NCF connects donors to causes and communities to resources through permanent endowment funds, providing grants to eligible charitable organizations in culture, health, education, environment, recreation and social service sectors. NCF turns intent into impact."
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David S. Howes Fund Grants
For David S. Howes Fund Grants, please use the following acknowledgement when highlighting the support of your grant:
"(GRANTEE) gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Niagara Community Foundation (NCF)- David S. Howes Fund; a public foundation serving the people of Niagara since 2000. NCF connects donors to causes and communities to resources through permanent endowment funds, providing grants to eligible charitable organizations in culture, health, education, environment, recreation and social service sectors. NCF turns intention into impact."
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Donor Directed Grants
If you have received a Donor Directed Grants, please follow the requests of the donor, listed in the letter that you received with the cheque. For grants that welcome public acknowledgement of the fund, please follow this template:
"[Grantee] gratefully acknowledges the support of the Niagara Community Foundation- [FUND NAME] Fund."
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Media Release Boiler Plate
"Established in 2000, Niagara Community Foundation has raised over $92.5 million and has granted in excess of $34.3 million to charities working in the arts, heritage, environment, social services, health, education and community development sectors. NCF connects donor to causes and communities to resources, turning intent into impact."
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Sharing Community News
Are you a #NCFCharityParnter? Do you have some news that you would like to share with our followers? Send your requests to communications@niagaracommunityfoundation.org and we’ll be happy to share your news on social media!
REQUIREMENTS
1. Topic must align with one of NCF’s pillars: Endowment, Empowerment or Excellence
2. Must be Niagara based news
EVENT NEWS
Please note, NCF does not share news about charity events, unless NCF is a funding partner or sponsor.
Resource Library
NCF is here to help you and your communications team. We know that many of our #NCFCharityPartners have small but mighty teams. Often communications and marketing is happening off the side of your desk. Below are a few tools to help you with your grant announcements. We hope these small pieces will enhance your capacity to share your impact stories with the community.
Canva Templates
We have created easy-to-use Canva Templates for you to use on your social media. These templates are the perfect place to start to announce your latest grant. Publish as-is, or cut and paste the elements to make it your own. Don't forget to tag us!
Click on the button below to access our templated graphics.
DID YOU KNOW?? If you are a registered charity or non-profit you can qualify for a PRO Canva account for FREE? This will open a world of possibilities for your communications and marketing team! Click here to find out more.
Professional Development Opportunities
In partnership with Armstrong Strategy Group, NCF is proud to host professional development opportunities for Niagara's charitable sector. These events are open to any non-profit or registered charity.
Stay posted on our social media accounts for upcoming event announcements.
Media Release Template
We have created a simple media release template for your team to follow. This covers best practices for structure and design. NCF is here to help! If you are announcing a recent grant, please contact our Communications Coordinator to help review your release. We are happy to provide you with a NCF quote and help edit your release before you publish. Click on the button below for the template.
Niagara Funders Alliance
NCF helps facilitate the Niagara Funders Alliance, a network of funding organizations that serve Niagara. To access a full list of the funders that are a part of the network or find out about any upcoming events hosted by the Alliance, please click here.
Charity Stories on our Blog
We are eager to share your story! Email us to have your charity spotlighted on our social media, blog or annual report. Below are the most recent stories from our blog, spotlighting our #NCFCharityPartners.
25 Years of NCF
Come take a walk with us down memory lane, as we reflect on our milestones, turning points and achievements.
Recipients of the Niagara Regional Accreditation Accelerator Program Announced
We are pleased to unveil the six recipients of the Niagara Regional Accreditation Accelerator Program, made possible by Niagara Community Foundation (NCF).
Reclaim & Rise! Black Philanthropy Month, Part 3
Reclaim & Rise! Black Philanthropy Month, Part 3
Remember! Black Philanthropy Month Part 2
During our research for this post, we read through many stories of individuals who shaped our community. There are four individuals that we wanted to highlight, demonstrating their collective action, community investment and Black leadership that together exemplify the history of Black Philanthropy in Niagara. In Part 2, we share our first two stories. Come back next week for Part 3.