2024 Community Grants Program

Description

In order to fulfill most effectively its philanthropic responsibilities within the limits of its resources, the Scott County Community Foundation's Community Grants Program will emphasize focused and effective types of grants. We have $114,659 available from our unrestricted funds and $48,121 available from the CAPE Educational Endowment Fund for educational initiatives.

Requirements

Areas of Interest

The Scott County Community Foundation considers needs which generally fall into the following categories:
1. Community Betterment: Arts and cultural development; community beautification, improvement, and enhancement projects; economic development efforts; leadership training; recreation; environment; general community programs and projects.
2. Health & Human Services: Public safety; elderly services; children and youth services; family services; health-related programs.
3. Education: Preschool, secondary, post-secondary, and special education; community education.

Grant Guidelines

1. The broad purpose of the Scott County Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life of the residents of Scott County.
2. The Foundation will strive to maintain both a proactive focus and an ability to respond to creative ideas from grant seekers.
3. Grant funding will focus on the encouragement of programs that enhance cooperating and collaboration among institutions within our community. 
4. Funding will seek to offer leverage funds through the use of "seed money," match and challenge grants.
5. Special consideration will be given to agencies that partner with other organizations to complete a unified project.
6. Although the Foundation does not typically fund the following, depending upon an organization's particular needs compared to applications submitted by other organizations during the same cycle, the board, at their discretion, may allow some of the below listed items.
• Services primarily supported by tax dollars or responsibility of a public agency
• Religious or sectarian purposes
7. The Foundation does not make grants for the following: Advocacy or political purposes; individuals; existing obligations/debt; multi-year grants; loans or endowments. 

Grant Policies

1. Grants will only be made to organizations whose programs benefit the residents of Scott County.
2. Grants from the Scott County Community Foundation must meet legal and tax requirements as to the purpose and may be made only to charitable organizations and/or causes.
3. Grant applicants may be required to attend an interview by the grants committee.
4. Grantees must submit a final evaluation report. The Grantee will not be allowed to participate in any future Grant Cycles until the final report is on file in the Foundation office. Grant money must be used for the specific purpose as stated in the line item budget provided in the grant application. Any changes in purpose must be requested in writing and approved by the Foundation prior to any changes being made. Any portion of the amount granted which is not used for the purpose of the grant will be repaid. 
5. Grants will only be made to organizations, that as required by law make equal opportunities available to all persons without regard to race, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, citizenship status, or any other category protected under state or local law.
6. After evaluation, the Grants Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors, which makes all funding decisions.
7. First-time grant applicants will need to meet with SCCF staff prior to application submission. 

Total Amount Awarded

$162,780