First-time applicants must contact the Foundation to discuss grant proposals prior to submission.
We welcome grant applications from any 501(c)3 organization that is doing work to make our community a better place. Our staff will be very glad to work with you. For more information, please contact Emerald Blankenship at (765) 454-7298/(800) 964-0508 or by email at emerald@cfhoward.org
Based on our strategic plan and community listening processes, the Foundation grant program guidelines are outlined below.
Strategic Grants – In 2019, the Community Foundation conducted 16 community conversations in Howard County, 16 community conversations in Clinton County and 14 community conversations in Carroll County to hear the issues citizens feel are important to the future well-being and growth of our communities. You can read more about the process at www.cfhoward.org, www.cfclinton.org and www.cfcarroll.org. We are seeking applications that make significant progress in one of these aspirations prioritized by you and our neighbors:
Mentally Healthy, Safe and Drug-Free: This includes support of criminal justice initiatives, affordable housing, shelters, mental health and substance abuse services (bilingual services for care), removing barriers (includes transportation) to access services, family strengthening initiatives, safe housing, job training and education for those struggling with behavioral health and substance abuse issues.
Progressive, Growing, Vibrant and Economically Healthy: This includes community development, workforce diversity and skills, workforce development, education, building an innovative and diverse business environment, affordable housing, transportation and quality of place initiatives.
Inclusive, Supportive, Connected, Engaging and Culturally Diverse: This includes initiatives that encourage inclusiveness, cultural diversity, connectiveness, and bilingual services, collaborative activities, socioeconomic interaction initiatives, diversity in community outreach, human rights programs and accessibility for all to resources.
These are part of our regular grant cycles.
General Grants – Also part of our regular grant cycles, general grants are a continuation of our traditional, responsive grantmaking program which supports a variety of programs and services in our counties. It also includes grants for nonprofit capacity building.
Health & Medical -- to include the support of health and medical related programs;
Social Services -- to include the support of human service organizations, programs for children and youth and services to the aged;
Education -- to include support for programs in pre-school, elementary and secondary education, post-secondary education, scholarships and for special education programs;
Cultural Affairs -- to include the support of programs and facilities which are designed to establish a diversified county cultural program that offers widespread participation and appreciation;
Civic Affairs -- to include support of programs related to criminal justice, community development, employment, citizen involvement, leadership training, and other general community activities;
Community Beautification -- to include the support of projects that advocate, stimulate and support community vitality, beautification/environmental preservation and adornment.
Small Grants – Our communities and nonprofits may face unexpected, short-term crises or opportunities.Small grants will be available between our grant cycles. These are to be used for specific, one-time opportunities or unexpected, short-term crises. An organization may receive one small grant in a calendar year but may not receive a small grant the following calendar year. These grants are not for recurring costs or for general operations. We will continue accepting applications on a rolling cycle. Small grant guidelines:
If you have a request that falls within these parameters, please contact Emerald Blankenship at emerald@cfhoward.org with any questions. You can submit a letter of inquiry at any point through December 1, of the current year.
Grant Designation Determination
The good news? We will help you decide which program best fits your idea for making a difference. You can submit a letter of inquiry at any time, and we will respond within two weeks with the next steps for strategic or general grants, or with a decision on a mini or rapid response grant.
Grant Guidelines, Policies & Evaluation Criteria
The Community Foundation follows these grantmaking values, guidelines, and policies for our unrestricted community endowment philanthropic funds. These funds support the community’s changing challenges and needs. When they established these funds, donors entrusted the Foundation with the selection of the most needed programs to receive grant funding based on a competitive process. Donors may establish other types of funds with different criteria.
Grantmaking Values
Whenever possible, we hope our grantmaking reflects these values:
Grant Policies
Grants will be made only to organizations whose programs benefit the residents of Howard, Clinton or Carroll counties and preference will be given to those projects that have high visibility in the community.
Grants will be made only to organizations which provide a responsible fiscal agent and adequate accounting procedures.
Most grantees are required to submit a final grant report to the Foundation. We may delay a decision on new applications if we have not received a final report for a previous grant.
For costs incurred prior to the grant application being approved. Please be mindful of board action deadlines when completing your application.
For annual fund drives or generic solicitation letters.
To individuals, families, or businesses.
For attending seminars or taking trips except where there are special circumstances which will benefit the larger community.
Sectarian religious purposes but will consider grants to religious organizations for general community programs.
Endowment funds.
Projects which have been proposed by individuals or organizations responsible to advisory bodies or persons unless letters of recommendation or approval from those advisory bodies or persons accompany the grant proposals.
Does the purpose of the project fit with the purpose of the organization? Is the organization able to implement this project?
Is there an established need for the program or project in the community?
How well has the purpose of the project been defined and who will be served by the project?
When completed, will the grantee know whether its project was effective? What kind of impact (measurable outcome) did the project have on the organization/clients/community? Is it a visible project?
Are there other, more compatible, sources for potential funding?
Does the Community Foundation have adequate resources to effectively respond to this need?