OHIO COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

PERPETUAL SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION

I. General Information

The Ohio County Community Foundation may, on occasion, find it necessary to issue discretionary small grants from the unrestricted funds outside the Grants Committee recommendations and full Board approval. These grants are on a first come, first serve basis until allotted funding for the current calendar year has been exhausted.

The Ohio County Community Foundation will seek and accept small grant applications from area non-profit organizations whose programs benefit the residents of Ohio County. Each grant application will be reviewed after submission to ensure the application is complete and the organization is eligible to make application.

Application must then be approved by the OCCF Executive Director and may be submitted to the Grants Committee or the Board of Directors for final approval.

II. Our Mission

The mission of the Ohio County Community Foundation is to build, manage and distribute a lasting source of charitable funds for Ohio County.

III. Our Core Values

We will assist donors in maximizing their charitable intents through strategic giving opportunities that provide for allowable tax deductions and ease of giving. We will provide responsible stewardship of donated gifts. We will make grants that benefit Ohio County in the fields of community development, education, human services, cultural affairs and health. We will promote leadership in identifying, addressing and anticipating Ohio County’s needs.

IV. Statement of Non-Discrimination

It is the general policy of the OCCF to operate without discrimination as to age, race, religion, sex or national origin in the overall administration of the Foundation and in the consideration of grant requests from agencies and organizations.

V. Small Grant Opportunities

Mini-Grant- Given in an amount not to exceed $100 per application with a maximum of $200 per year per organization and a maximum of 4 mini-grants per year.

Conference/Training Grant- Given in an amount not to exceed $150 per application with a maximum of $300 per year per organization and a maximum of 2 Conference/Training Grants per year. This grant may only be used for the purpose of training and/or attending conferences which support and enhance the goals of non-profit organizations serving Ohio County.

Board of Directors Grant- Given in an amount not to exceed $300 per application with a maximum of $600 per year per organization and a maximum of 4 Board Grants per year. This grant requires the signature of an OCCF Board Member.

VI. Small Grant Policies

v Grants will only be awarded for projects and programs that benefit the residents of Ohio County. Applicants must qualify as an exempt organization under the IRS Code 501(c), or be sponsored by such organizations, or qualify as a governmental or educational entity or possess similar attributes per IRS Code Section 509(a);

v That grants will be made only to organizations which provide for a responsible fiscal agent and adequate accounting procedures;

v That no grants will be made solely to individuals but can be made for the benefit of certain individuals for such purposes as scholarships and special programs through educational institutions and other sponsoring recipient organizations;

v That, generally grants will not be made to enable individuals or groups of individuals to take trips except where there are special circumstances which will benefit the larger community;

v That no grants will be made specifically for sectarian religious purposes but can be made to religious organizations for general community programs.

v That, generally, no grant proposals will be considered by the OCCF which have been proposed by individuals or organizations responsible to advisory bodies or person unless letters of recommendation or approval from those advisory bodies or persons accompany the grant proposals;

v Grants will not be made for programs and/or equipment which were committed to prior to the grant application being submitted;

v That final grant evaluation reports will be required to be submitted by the grantees. Grantees with outstanding grant reports will not be considered for future grants until all outstanding reports have been properly submitted.

v Grants applied for brick and mortar projects must be only for charitable purposes, to further the mission of a public charity.

v No grant shall be made for the acquisition of weapons, firearms, destructive devices or ammunition as defined in the Indiana Code under IC 35-41—1-8 or IC35-47.5-2.4.

VII. Award Notification

Foundation Staff will notify applicants, in writing, of grant decisions. Applicants that are awarded small grants will receive a small grant award agreement. Grant payment will be made to an organization after the Foundation receives a signed small grant agreement and conditions specified in the agreement are met.

VIII. Grant Report Process

A Grant Report Form requesting the final budget and evaluation of the grant will be sent with the Grant Award Agreement. Grantees with outstanding Grant Report Forms will not be considered for future grants until all required documents have been submitted.

OHIO COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

SMALL GRANTS APPLICATION

Legal Name of Organization: _____________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________________

City: _______________________________ State: ______________ ZIP:_________________________

Contact Person:__________________________________ Title:________________________________

Phone #:____________________ Fax:____________________ E-mail:__________________________

CEO or President:_____________________ Phone:________________ E-mail:___________________

Date Established:_________________ #of Staff:___________ # of Volunteers:_______________

Is your organization a Non-profit: 501(c)(3) ____ Governmental Agency: ____ School: ____

Church: ___ Other non-profit: ____ please specify type: _________________________

Federal ID# ________________________________ State ID# ___________________________________

Current Board of Directors:

General Purpose of Organization:

Organizations must attach a copy of their IRS determination letter to the application. Applications will not be processed without it. (School and Government bodies do not have an IRS letter but must include their tax-exempt number on the application where requested)

Project Title/Name_____________________________________________________________________

Grant Type: Mini-Grant_________ Board Grant___________ Conference/Training Grant________

(Up to $100) (Up to $300) (Up to $150)

(Must Choose Only One Grant Type per Application)

Grant Amount Requested: $______________ Total Project Cost: $____________________

Start Date of Project: _______________

1. Please describe the project (or conference/training session) for which you are requesting a grant and its purpose? If it is for conference/training grant, please list who will attend and attach the training information to application.

2. How specifically will this grant money be spent?

3. What will happen to this project if this proposal is partially funded?

4. How will this project benefit Ohio County?

ENDORSEMENT

To the best of my knowledge and belief, the statements in this grant application are true and correct; the document has been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant; and the applicant organization will comply with applicable laws, regulations, terms and conditions in effect at the time of grant. I understand that OCCF, in evaluating this grant application, may, if it deems appropriate, review any and all of the information submitted as part of this request with advisors of the Foundation’s choosing. If this grant is awarded the Grantee shall provide public acknowledgment of this grant by using regular procedures, which may include, but are not limited to, news releases, announcements, certificates, plaques, markers or banners. The Grantee shall submit all public acknowledgements to the Foundation and obtain pre-approval when appropriate (such as with permanent markers, plaques, etc.)

___________________________________________________ _________________________

Signature of OCCF Board Member Endorsing Grant Date

(Only required if applying for Board Grant)

____________________________________________ ____________________

Signature of President or Chair of Governing Body Date

(Signature of Principal if request is from a school)

____________________________________________ ____________________

Signature of Contact Person Date