Grant Opportunities
Making change possible within our community starts with making funding available. If you have a project or an idea in need of financial support, explore our available grants to see how we can help bring your vision to life.
Grants
This process is closed until 2025
This grant cycle is a funding opportunity designed to support programming and capital needs of nonprofits and agencies serving Hancock County. The goal is for these funds to support or increase an agency’s capacity to deliver programs and services that benefit Hancock County.
Program and Project funding
A proposal to support or expand an existing charitable program/project or to create and launch a new charitable program/project.
Capital Improvement Funding
Capital purchases with an expected useful life of 12 months or more, such as building repairs or additions, purchase of new equipment, purchase of technology (hardware & software), vehicles, and furniture.
Applications are open March 12–May 15, 2024
The purpose of the White Family Foundation Fund, a fund of the Community Foundation of Hancock County, is to assist local community development and support initiatives that enhance the desire to live, work, and play in Hancock and Henry counties.
Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to beautification projects, building façade improvements, recreational enhancements and accessibility, public safety and transportation. Eligible applicants must serve Hancock and/or Henry counties.
The White Family Foundation Fund is a donor advised fund, which makes this grant cycle unique. A donor-advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle administered by a public charity (in this case, the Community Foundation) created to manage charitable donations on behalf of organizations, families, or individuals (in this case, the White Family). In this grant cycle, the White Family reviews applications, interviews applicants, and makes grant recommendations to the Community Foundation based on their charitable goals and interests. The donor also has the flexibility to extend their philanthropy beyond the amount originally allocated.
Criteria
- Requests must be for $1,500 or less.
- Requests for emergencies or immediate needs will be given priority.
- Requests should be for a one-time expense. Mini Grants will not sustain operating or programming costs from year to year. Mini-Grant requests to cover a portion of a new ongoing expense must explain the plan for future sustainability.
- The applicant must be the organization that will benefit from the proposed use of the funds.
- Organizations may receive up to $1,500 in Mini Grants per calendar year.
- Mini Grants are administered on a rolling cycle each calendar year. Applications are accepted and evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis until funds available for the calendar year are gone.
Other Grants
This grant cycle will open is 2024
The Ignite Grants program engages Hancock County’s municipalities and civic organizations in a placemaking grant process. Grants support community-driven projects and quick-win transformations that foster connection to place, enhance community vibrancy, advance physical and social outcomes, and promote a creative identity.
In 2023, Celebrating Communities partners were invited to apply for an Ignite Grant of up to $25,000. The process began with a letter of intent followed by an application. The application documented the project’s goals, timeline, resource needs, maintenance plan, outreach goals, evidence of additional funding (if required), etc. CFHC was looking for projects that are timely, affordable, and feasible.
This grant cycle is closed until 2025
Grants to Education Foundations may be used for the organization’s most immediate needs as long as the purpose, in partnership with the school corporation, benefits the students and staff of Eastern Hancock CSC, Greenfield-Central CSC, Mt. Vernon CSC, and Southern Hancock CSC. This includes operating, programming, and capital improvement. Proposals for operating support may include (but not limited to) staffing/salaries, software/hardware, marketing/branding, strategic planning, staff development. CFHC will look for how operating funds will effectively support the foundation in pursuing its mission and sustaining or increasing its capacity.
This opportunity is closed until 2025
This award, named in honor of long-time Hancock County resident and philanthropist Martha Beckenholdt, recognizes a Hancock County high school junior who has contributed outstanding time, talent, and energy to philanthropic endeavors. The award recipient will select a Hancock County nonprofit organization or agency to receive a $1,000 donation in his or her name, donated by the Community Foundation.
Mini-Grants
Criteria
- Requests must be for $1,500 or less.
- Requests for emergencies or immediate needs will be given priority.
- Requests should be for a one-time expense. Mini Grants will not sustain operating or programming costs from year to year. Mini-Grant requests to cover a portion of a new ongoing expense must explain the plan for future sustainability.
- The applicant must be the organization that will benefit from the proposed use of the funds.
- Organizations may receive up to $1,500 in Mini Grants per calendar year.
- Mini Grants are administered on a rolling cycle each calendar year. Applications are accepted and evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis until funds available for the calendar year are gone.
Annual Grant Cycle
This grant process is now closed.
The Annual Grant Cycle is the Community Foundation’s main competitive grant opportunity for programming and capital improvement needs. This grant cycle is currently closed and will reopen January 2024.
Program and Project Funding
A proposal to support or expand an existing charitable program/project or to create and launch a new charitable program/project.
Capital Improvement Funding
Capital purchases with an expected useful life of 12 months or more, such as building repairs or additions, purchase of new equipment, purchase of technology (hardware & software), vehicles, and furniture.
Eligibility & Criteria
501(c)(3) status in good standing with the IRS, and no overdue evaluation reports on previous grants filed with the Community Foundation.
Must serve Hancock County.
Nonprofit status must be confirmed through GuideStar Charity Check and completed by the Foundation staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Grants will not be awarded from any fund type until CFHC staff complete due diligence to assure:
- The grant must support a charitable purpose.
- Grantee is a 501(c)(3) or equivalent* in good standing with the IRS including schools, churches, local government agencies, and programs, or other tax-exempt organization that meets expenditure responsibility requirements
- The funds must be used solely for the stated purpose, and any unused funds must be returned.
- Grantees must maintain program and financial records to verify expenditures and activity related to the grant.
- Grantees must repay any portion of the amount granted that is not used for the grant’s purpose or expended prior to the grant period’s termination.
- Grantees must return any unspent funds if they lose their exemption from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- Grantees must submit a completed grant evaluation as outlined in the grant agreement.
- Grantees must acknowledge the Community Foundation’s role in any publicity and provide pictures of the project.
Follow Instructions and Include Required Documentation
Include all required documentation with your grant proposal and follow the instructions completely.
Keep a Copy of Your Application
Keep a copy of your grant application for future reference. You can always access a copy of your application on our online grants portal.
Provide a Detailed and Reasonable Budget
Grants Committee members will recognize under-budgeted or padded requests, so make sure to provide a detailed and reasonable budget for your project.
Include Price Lists or Written Estimates
Do your homework on costs and provide price lists or written estimates as attachments.
Use Relevant Statistics
Statistics are helpful to justify your proposals, but statistics specific to Hancock County will provide better justification for funding. Include information on how many Hancock County residents will be served by your program and the source and relevance of your statistics.
Avoid Jargon, Abbreviations, and Acronyms
We suggest asking someone who is not familiar with the project to read and critique your application. Make sure they can understand and clearly explain what your project is, the costs, and the results you hope to achieve.
Applications that include religious instruction, proselytizing or other religious activities, deficit financing, lobbying, electioneering, and activities of political nature will not be considered, nor will proposals for sponsorships and any proposals that discriminate as to race, gender, marital status, sexual preference, age, disability, creed or ethnicity.
Grants Awarded
