COMMUNITY GRANTS
Flexible Dollars for Impactful Work
Community Grants provide support for a wide variety projects or programs. If you need help or would like to discuss your idea, please reach out to us. We’re happy to help!
Timelines
The online grants system opens at least 1 month prior to due dates.
- Cycle I: Letters of Intent due 5/1, Application due 5/15
- Cycle II: Letters of Intent due 9/1, Application due 9/15
Guidelines
We’re looking for projects/programs that:
- impact a significant number of people
- offer solutions to problems or address a community interest
- are preventative rather than remedial
- address underlying causes of local needs
- encourage cooperation and eliminate duplicate services
- engage with volunteers
We typically do not fund requests for:
- operating expenses
- annual fundraising campaigns
- debt or loans
- personnel
- travel expenses
- multi-year grants
- advocacy or political purposes
- religious purposes
- endowments
The Rush County Community Foundation does not make grants to organizations that discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, economic circumstance, physical/mental abilities and characteristics, marital status, or membership in another legally protected group, all in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Application Process
Organizations must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is submitted electronically through our grants system. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your idea before submitting a LOI, please reach out to us at info@rushcountyfoundation.org or (765) 938-1177. We’re eager to help!
Your LOI should include:
- Name and brief description of your organization
- Brief description of your project or program, including objectives
- Amount requested, including a breakdown of expenses
- Total cost of your project or program
- Begin and end dates of your project or program
RCCF staff will review your LOI and notify you with a decision.
STEP 2: Application
If approved, you can begin completing the application online, once again using the grants system.
*Please note, after submission you may be asked to submit a video or prepare an in-person presentation for our grants committee.
STEP 3: Review Process
STEP 4: Awards
If your application receives an award, you will receive your payment shortly.
We ask that you:
- Promptly sign/return your agreement and cash your check.
- Document your grant covered expenses.
- Share photos and stories with us that help show the impact of your grant.
- Acknowledge your award through one or more:
- Display a grantee sign or sticker – These are available at our office.
- Social media – Please tag us so we can share your posts!
STEP 5: Wrap-Up
Once you’ve completed your program or project OR within 1 year of receiving your grant, you will be required to submit a final report through our grants system. Here’s your chance to tell your organization’s story! You will need to submit receipts for expenses, a review of your objectives, stories of impact, and photos.
*Please note: You cannot apply for additional grants if you have a grant in progress or if you have not submitted a final report for a completed grant.
