| Grant Guidelines
The Foundation encourages charitable tax-exempt organizations serving Richland County residents to partner with the Foundation to provide programs and services that fulfill the current needs of the community. Organizations eligible to receive grants from the Foundation include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, churches, government entities and nonprofit health service organizations.
The Foundation typically looks for several of the following elements in submitted applications:
- A one-time grant, especially for a pilot project which can serve as a model or be replicated;
- A project in which the Foundation is a funding partner, rather than the sole funder. The Foundation prefers to be the “last dollars” committed to a project;
- A project or program which promotes volunteer involvement;
- An organization which can demonstrate the ability to sustain the project in the future when Foundation grant dollars end;
- Projects or programs which are a collaborative effort among nonprofit organizations in the community and will eliminate duplication of services;
- A project which is likely to make a clear difference in the quality of life for a substantial number of people;
- An organization which is proposing a practical approach to a solution of a current community problem;
- A project or program which is focusing on prevention;
- A worthy community project for which a grant from the Foundation will most likely leverage additional financial support.
Richland County Foundation typically does not award competitive grants for the following:
- Sectarian activities of religious organizations;
- Operating expenses for annual drives or to eliminate debt;
- Medical, scientific, or academic research;
- Individuals other than for scholarships;
- Travel to or in support of conferences, or travel for groups such as bands, sports teams and classes (unless through special grant programs such as Summertime Kids or TAP);
- Capital improvements to building and property not owned by the organization or covered by a long term lease;
- Computer systems;
- Projects that taxpayers support or are expected to support;
- Political issues.
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To Apply:
If your program or project meets the guidelines of the Foundation described above, you are encouraged to contact the Foundation to discuss submitting an application. The following is an overview of the application process:
- Grant applications are reviewed six times a year. Application deadlines are the first Friday of: January, March, May, July, September and November.
- The application procedure should begin with a telephone call to the Foundation’s Program Officer to schedule an initial meeting. The Foundation prefers to have an opportunity to meet with representatives of the applying organization to be sure the request falls within the Foundation’s guidelines. At this meeting, a copy of the grant application will be provided to the applying organization.
- A completed and signed Foundation application must be provided by 5:00 p.m. on the designated deadline date (see above). A complete project budget and budget narrative must be included with the application.
- Attached to the completed and signed grant application must be copies of the following documents: IRS tax exempt letter, most recent financial audit, most recent annual report, current board of trustees list, and a brief history of the organization including its mission and current program offerings.
- Submit your application on the form provided on 8 1/2 X 11 paper printed on one side only. Because we will need to make copies, please do not use notebooks or binders, or include any videotape, tape recordings or CDs. Please limit your attachments to only those requested above. You may also include relevant letters of support.
Processing of Applications:
- After a proposal is received, the Foundation’s Program Officer will contact the Program Coordinator listed on the grant application to schedule a site visit. Members of the grant review committee may attend site visits with Foundation staff.
- The entire Board of Trustees make the final decisions on all grant applications approximately 6-8 weeks after the grant deadline.
- Notification of the grant decision is sent to each applying organization within one week of the Board meeting.
Grantwriting Workshop
Wednesday, June 13, 2007. Time: 8:00 to Noon. Held at the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library. The presentation will include instruction on using the Foundation Center database and the new grant application for the Richland County Foundation. To make a reservation, call the library at 419-521-3111.
RECENT GRANT AWARDS
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