Discretionary Grants Program

Overview

Grant proposals are accepted once each year according to our grant cycle. Proposal requirements may change from year to year; therefore, grantseekers are advised to revisit this page prior to beginning the grant application process. Grants are normally given as one-time support of a project but may be considered for additional support for expansions or outgrowths of an initial project. Visit our Apply for a Grant page for instructions on submitting a proposal.

Grant Cycle

We consider proposals for grants on a yearly cycle which begins each June. At the start of each cycle, a notice is mailed to nonprofit organizations that have applied for grants in the past, have received grants in the past, or have otherwise requested notification of the start of each cycle. The requirements and instructions provided here are to be considered current and accurate only for the duration of the Foundation's grant cycle, which runs from May through October each year.  Proposals will be accepted from the May announcement date through the August deadline.  Proposals submitted after the August deadline will not be considered.

Grant Program Orientation  NEW 

Nonprofits planning to submit a proposal to the Daviess County Community Foundation must attend one of the two orientation sessions being offered in June in order to apply for a grant.  A face-to-face meeting with the Director of the Daviess County Community Foundation may be permitted in lieu of attending an orientation session in certain instances; however, nonprofits must contact the Foundation office to discuss this option prior to June 15, 2009.  Upcoming orientation sessions are listed below.  Please contact the Foundation office to register.

Date: June 17, 2009

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: Carnegie Public Library, 300 W Main Street, Washington, IN 

Date: June 18, 2009

Time: 3:30 p.m.

Location: The Barn, 108 W Main Street, Odon, IN

Eligibility

The Foundation welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations that are deemed tax-exempt under sections 501(c)(3) and 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code and from governmental agencies for charitable projects that serve the county. Proposals from nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the project is charitable and supports a community need.  The Foundation will consider funding requests for nonprofit partnerships and collaborations, especially when separate funding requests would present a duplication of programs or services.  

Fiscal Sponsors
Proposals submitted by an entity under the auspices of another agency must include a written statement signed by the agency’s board president on behalf of the board of directors agreeing to act as the entity’s fiscal sponsor, to receive grant monies if awarded, and to oversee the proposed project.

Program Areas Considered for Funding  NEW 

Please visit our Program Areas page for details about the kinds of projects and programs supported through our Discretionary Grants Program.

Not more than twenty percent (20%) of any grant request may be for personnel costs,  office supplies, or other operating costs. Operating costs for any organization must be directly related to the project or program for which funding is being requested.  The following program areas will be considered for funding:

Arts and Culture

Community Development

Education

Health

Human Services

Other Civic Endeavors, such as the Environment, Recreation, and Youth Development

Project Areas NOT Considered for Funding

Religious organizations for religious purposes

Political parties or campaigns

Endowment creation or debt reduction

Operating costs (not directly related to the proposed project or program) 

Capital campaigns

Annual appeals or membership contributions

Travel requests for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or classes

Deliberation
The grants committee will make its recommendations on funding to the Foundation's Board of Trustees, which will make final funding recommendations to the board of directors of the Community Foundation Alliance (our governing body). No lobbying or soliciting of Foundation representatives will be permitted.

Award Announcement
All organizations that have submitted grant proposals will be notified of the outcome of the grants committee's deliberation in writing no later than November 1.

Reporting Procedures  NEW
A six-month progress report and a final report at project completion are required by organizations whose proposals are approved for funding.  Organizations that have received a grant from the Foundation in the past must be in compliance with reporting requirements in order to be considered for future grants.