Grant Guidelines

 

BACKGROUND

We award discretionary grants twice yearly to assist non-profit organizations meet the changing opportunities and needs in Crawford County. Grants are made county-wide from the Crawford Heritage Community Foundation Unrestricted Fund and Ben Franklin Trust, in the Titusville area from the Fred Lintner Fund and from the Bernadene R. and John B. Cooley Fund to benefit programs for children and youth. Follow this link to review a complete list of past discretionary grants.

FOUNDATION FOCUS

Our Board of Directors recognizes that community life can be improved and enhanced in a variety of ways. With that recognition, the Foundation supports projects/programs that improve the quality of life in Crawford County, PA through:

• Agricultural, horticultural, environmental protection and/or beautification

• Arts and culture

• Benevolent, charitable and/or civic functions

• Community development

• Education and/or literary pursuits

• Health and/or safety

• Research/scientific development

ELIGIBILITY FOR CHF GRANTS

We will accept grant applications from Crawford County:

• Tax-exempt nonprofit entities

• Governmental bodies

• Municipalities

• School

Our grants are not directed to:

• Annual campaigns or endowments

• Routine operating expenses (i.e., salaries, rent, and/or utilities)

• Political purposes

• Religious purposes

• Loans

Public and non-sectarian in its structure and governance, the Foundation may, from time to time, make grants to private or sectarian organizations, which serve broad and non-sectarian purposes. Examples include: churches, synagogues, or other religious organizations that have food or clothing pantries for the poor or support work among the poor; hospitals or colleges serving broad areas such as health care and education.

FOUNDATION CONSIDERATION

The Foundation will give preference to proposals which:

• Incorporate preventive and/or curative approaches to addressing significant community problems

• Promote cooperation among existing agencies

• Avoid program duplication

• Improve upon the effectiveness of existing organizations

• Have multiple funding sources and can leverage other financial sources

• Have identifiable and measurable impact upon our community

• Utilize volunteers effectively

APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS

Our Grants Committee, composed of experienced community volunteers, will conduct thorough evaluations of completed grant applications, including telephone interviews or on-site visits, in appropriate. Applicants should be aware that the Grants Committee may consult with other funders and community leaders when considering various grant applications. The Grants Committee will make grant recommendations to the Board of Directors for their final approval.

 

Our Board of Directors acts on grant applications in January and July. To be eligible for consideration, a complete application must be received by the Foundation on or before July 1st or January 2nd. Please submit applications well before funding is needed. (For example, if you have a program beginning in the summer, submit an application before the December deadline.) Funding for completed or in-process programs will not receive full consideration.

AVAILABLE FUNDS

We have limited funds available for grants. Historically, grant awards have ranged from $300.00 to $3,000.00. The average award is $1,000.00. Please consider these limitations when making your request.

GRANT APPLICATIONS

Should you feel that your project or organization meets the requirements outlined, complete and submit the Foundation's discretionary grant application on-line.