- Donor Stories:
- In their own words.
- Nonprofit Stories:
- What we did with the Foundation’s help.
Grant Opportunities
Submit Proposals To
Lee Ann KleinGrants Coordinator
Stark Community Foundation
400 Market Avenue North, Suite 200
Canton, Ohio 44702
Phone: 330-454-3426
Fax: 330-454-5855
lklein@starkcf.org
Eligibility
Grants are made to: tax-exempt private agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations which are public charities, and government entities located within Stark County, Ohio only or directly benefiting Stark County. The Foundation does not award grants to individuals except through scholarship funds.
| Grant Area | Deadline Date | Decision Month |
Discretionary Grants | January 03,2012 | *March 2012 |
Discretionary Grants | August 01, 2012 | *October 2012 |
Neighborhood Partnership Grants | January 20, 2012 | April 2012 |
The Women's Fund | March 9, 2012 | March 9, 2012 |
SummerTime Kids | March 9, 2012 | May 2012 |
*Decisions may be extended beyond the decision month.
Discretionary Grants
Guidelines
Generally the Foundation awards charitable grants to help launch new programs, initiatives, or capital needs not addressed by existing organizations. The Foundation requires year-end evaluative reports for all charitable grants, and collects specific data to track outcomes of our Board directed Impact Areas: Afterschool, Affordable Housing and Economic Development, and Neighborhood Capacity Building. In order to make the best use of available funds, Stark Community Foundation looks for one or more of the following conditions when reviewing proposal requests:
* Emphasis on sustainability - We encourage organizations to present an outline of their long-range plans, building sustainability into their programs initial design.
* Entrepreneurial ideas - We believe that social innovation should arise from a healthy milieu of community life from people closest to the problem (grass-roots).
* Best practices of social change in our community - We use new knowledge to inform policy makers and to help public officials have a clearer understanding of what approaches have been most efficient & effective.
* Capacity building, personal and team growth within non-profit organizations-
* This includes technical assistance in areas such as management, human resources, fundraising, finance and board development to help ensure long-term growth.
* Organizational ability to leverage ideas and resources - We realize partnerships achieve more together around a common cause and eliminate duplication of services.
Policies
Stark Community Foundation normally does not approve grants to support:
* operating expenses of well-established organizations;
* deficit financing for programs or capital expenditures;
* endowment funds;
* religious organizations for religious purposes;
* annual appeals and membership contributions;
* conferences and recognition events.
Discretionary Grant Application-Program
(For capital requests that might include: Building Renovation, Technology, Furnishings/HVAC System, etc. skip to the capital grant application below.)
Please provide 1 original of the complete proposal without binders, notebooks or folders.
Proposal coversheet;
Cover letter signed by the Board President and the executive director stating the purpose, the amount of the request, and board endorsement of the request;
Introduction to your organization (short history), your mission and a short overview of current programs and activities;
Summary of the project/program, including problem or need statement plus program goals, objectives, and strategies for implementation. Optional: brief discussion of alternative approaches considered;
Appropriate plan for evaluation procedures, criteria and outcomes collected;
Complete Proposed Project Budget Worksheet which includes a documented line-item expense budget, and revenue budget, showing all projected sources of funds for the proposed grant request
List other foundations or funding sources contacted for the project;
Long range sustainability plans for continuing the program or project once Foundation funding ends.
Additional Required Material:
Determination Letter from IRS confirming the organization's tax-exempt status is a 501(c)(3);
Board of Directors list, including the primary professional/civic affiliation of each member;
Copy of your latest audited financial statement or copy of your latest 990;
Endorsement letters should be sent directly to Stark Community Foundation.
Discretionary Grant Application-Capital
Possible capital requests might include: Building Renovation, Technology, or Furnishings/HVAC System.
Please provide 1 original of the complete proposal without binders, notebooks or folders.
Proposal coversheet;
Cover letter signed by Board President or Chair and Organization Director stating the purpose and amount of request and board endorsement of the request. Additionally, for capital requests, how much the organization is contributing from their operating budget and/or reserve funds;
Mission of Your Organization;
Purpose of Capital Grant: Provide a concise statement of what the grant will help you do to complete or enhance your mission;
List outcomes of your capital improvement that will enhance your organizations mission;
List funding requested from public appeals, state, local, federal funding or other diverse funding;
Complete Proposed Project Budget Worksheet which includes a documented line-item expense budget, and revenue budget, showing all projected sources of funds for the proposed grant request;
List of other foundations to which you have submitted this proposal and status of request;
Impact that capital project will have on the current operating budget;
Income and expense statement for your current fiscal year budget;
Copies of three estimates received from different businesses to complete your capital purchase/project.
Additional Required Material:
Determination Letter from IRS confirming the organization's tax-exempt status 501(c)(3);
Board of Directors list, including the primary professional/civic affiliation of each member;
Copy of your latest audited financial statement or copy of your latest 990;
Endorsement letters should be sent directly to Stark Community Foundation.
