Deadline: 21-Feb-25
Submissions are now open for the Community Good Grants to provide funding to charitable organizations for new or ongoing programs and projects that meet a broad range of local needs.
Focus Areas
- They focus resources to local nonprofit, charitable organizations with programs addressing these priority areas:
- Arts and Culture: Activities that strengthen the stability of arts organizations, make the arts accessible to low-income populations, enhance the understanding of all types of arts and humanities, and promote the appreciation or understanding of historical events.
- Community Development: Activities that foster civil rights, the society, advocacy, community improvement, capacity building, philanthropy, volunteerism, grantmaking, strong neighborhoods; that improve the effectiveness of government, public administration and public officials; that assess community needs; and that support the programs of leadership organizations.
- Education: Activities that improve the educational attainment of children and adults, both in and out of the classroom; that support formally constituted educational institutions and organizations or entities that administer or support these institutions; that support libraries and organizations whose primary purpose is to provide opportunities for supplementing and continuing education outside the framework of formal education institutions; and that support organizations which provide education-related services to students and schools.
- Health: Activities that improve and promote health outcomes; general and rehabilitative health services; mental health; crisis intervention; associations or services associated with specific diseases, disorders, and medical disciplines; and medical research.
- Human Services: Activities that maximize the functioning of special needs populations in mainstream society; that protect the public (crime and delinquency prevention, legal administration, legal services); that promote and support employment and jobs, food and nutrition, agriculture, housing and shelter, public safety, and disaster preparedness and relief; and that support child daycare programs, the United Way, YMCA, YWCA, firefighting activities, and programs of community centers.
- Other Civic Endeavors
- Environment: Activities that foster pollution control and abatement, protection and conservation of natural resources, botanic and horticulture, environmental beautification, preservation of open spaces, environmental education and outdoor survival, protection and welfare of animals, humane societies, wildlife preservation and protection, veterinary services, zoos and aquariums, and specialty animal services.
- Recreation: Improving and promoting recreational and leisure activities, parks, and community sporting events and activities.
- Youth Development: Activities that strengthen the family unit, help children grow and develop, foster youth sports and athletics, that support the Future Farmers of America or other youth development programs, Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and scouting
Eligibility Criteria
- The Community Foundation welcomes funding requests 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 serving the county.
- Funding requests 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.
- In some cases, organizations without the 501(c)(3) designation may be required to obtain a fiscal sponsor.
- Fiscal Sponsor
- Non-charitable organizations applying for a grant under the auspices of a verified 501(c)(3) public charity acting as a fiscal sponsor are required to provide a written statement signed by the fiscal sponsor’s board president confirming agreement to receive grant monies if awarded and to oversee the proposed program/project.
Ineligibility Criteria
- Program 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 program/project
- Capital campaigns
- Annual appeals or membership contributions
- Travel requests for groups or individuals such as bands, sports teams, or classes
- Scholarships or other grants to individuals
For more information, visit Vanderburgh Community Foundation.