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Grants Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I know if I would be eligible to apply for a grant from the Carroll County Community Foundation?
  2. Can I apply for a grant from the Community Foundation if I have a personal need?
  3. What if I have never written a grant before and want to apply for a grant?
  4. Is there anything typically not funded through your grant cycle?
  5. When are grant applications due?
  6. My organization was just notified that we have been awarded a grant. How do we go about requesting the funds?
  7. How long does my organization have to complete our project?
  8. How long will our grant be outstanding?
  9. What if my organization does not use all of the funds for the approved project?
  10. What are my obligations as a grantee?
  11. Why does the Foundation ask for photos of the project?
  12. What is the amount of the average grant?
  13. Are grants funded over multiple years?
  14. How long does it take once a proposal is submitted to go through the approval process and to receive funding?
  15. Can I apply for a grant from a donor advised fund?
  16. Can you refer me to anyone else for funding?
  17. If my organization recently received a grant from the Community Foundation, how long do I need to wait before submitting another grant request?

How do I know if I would be eligible to apply for a grant from the Community Foundation?

We make grants to tax-exempt agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations, which are public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Community Foundation will consider only grant requests that benefit residents of Carroll County. Not-for-profit organizations without a 501(c)(3) classification may seek funding with the support of a fiscal agent.

Can I apply for a grant from the Community Foundation if I have a personal need?

The Carroll County Community Foundation does not make grants or loans to individuals. As a community foundation we support the charitable projects and programs being provided by not-for-profit organizations in Carroll County.

What if I have never written a grant before and want to apply for a grant?

Grant guidelines, schedule, and instructions are provided on this website. The grant application is easy to follow and asks for basic information about your organization and its project.

First-time applicants must contact the Foundation to discuss grant proposals prior to submission.

Is there anything typically not funded through your grant cycle?

The Foundation does not generally make grants to individuals, for religious purposes, for covering budget deficits, for travel, for fundraising events, for endowments, for salaries, or for projects normally the responsibility of a government agency. Most grantees find the guidelines to be a very helpful tool in the application process.

When are grant applications due?

Competitive Grants are reviewed on an annual basis. Please check the Grant Schedule page on our website for the upcoming grant application deadlines. Applications can be mailed or delivered, but they are due in our office by 4:30 p.m. on the day of the grant deadline.

My organization was just notified that we have been awarded a grant. How do we go about requesting the funds?

A few days after receiving the phone call informing you that a grant is being awarded to your organization, you will be sent a letter and also a Grant Agreement. Funds will not be released for a grant until we have received the signed Grant Agreement. The Foundation asks that you wait to request the funds until you are ready to begin your project. Once you determine that your group is ready for your grant award, please notify Emerald Blankenship, Director of Programs, at (800) 964-0508 that you would like the grant distribution.

How long does my organization have to complete our project?

We generally ask that projects be completed within 12 months of your group being awarded a grant. However, we understand that sometimes projects are delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. If you do find that your grant project will not be completed within 12 months, please contact Emerald Blankenship, Director of Programs, for an extension of your grant term.

How long will our grant be outstanding?

We generally ask that projects be completed within 12 months of your group being awarded a grant. However, we understand that sometimes projects are delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. If you do find that your grant project will not be completed within 12 months, please contact Emerald Blankenship, Director of Programs, for an extension of your grant term.

What if my organization does not use all of the funds for the approved project?

Grants are provided by the Foundation for specific purposes as stated in your application. If your project changes or you do not require all of the funds provided, you must contact the Grants Committee for a determination. In some cases the funds must be returned. In other cases, the committee might approve a variance. Please contact Emerald Blankenship, Director of Programs, at 1 (800) 964-0508 to discuss your individual situation.

What are my obligations as a grantee?

Internal Revenue Service policies require that a Final Grant Report be completed for every competitive grant we award. Reports are usually due a month after the date you submitted as the End Date for the Project. If your project end date changes please contact Emerald Blankenship, Director of Programs, so that due date for the Final Grant Report can be adjusted.

We also ask that you promote our support of your project whenever possible. If you are printing posters or other promotional materials, please contact our office about ways to publicize the grant received from the Carroll County Community Foundation. For a logo suitable to use in your promotional materials, please contact our office.

We also ask that you provide photos of the project to us.

Why does the Foundation ask for photos of the project?

We are always looking for ways to tell our grantee stories. Please send electronic files of photos such as .jpg or .tif files that are 350 KB or larger. E-mail electronic files to emerald@cfcarroll.org. The photo should show how the project is helping make our community a better place. Also, let us know when it would be a good time for us to take photos, do videotaping, and/or interview people involved with the project.

What is the amount of the average grant?

There is a wide range in the size of grants awarded. Grants in previous years have ranged from $1,500 to $20,000. Applicants should request the amount actually needed to successfully complete the proposed project.

Are grants funded over multiple years?

Grant requests are generally funded for one year.

How long does it take once a proposal is submitted to go through the approval process and to receive funding?

The time from the letter of inquiry to having an approval is 2-3 months. Once the grant is approved, it takes up to 14 days after returning the appropriate forms to receive a check. Release of the check is triggered by returning the signed grant agreement.

Can I apply for a grant from a donor advised fund?

Donors that have established donor advised funds make grants to not-for-profit organizations based on their own areas of interest. Donors make grant recommendations to the Community Foundation Board for final approval. Donor advised funds do not accept applications. If you have a request for a project or program that Foundation staff members feel would be a good fit with a donor advised fund, we will communicate with the advisor of the fund.

Can you refer me to anyone else for funding?

If your proposal doesn't fit the funding criteria for the Community Foundation grants program, Foundation staff may be able to suggest other funding sources. A list of not-for-profit organizational and grant resources is listed under Resource Links on this website.

If my organization recently received a grant from the Community Foundation, how long do I need to wait before submitting another grant request?

The Community Foundation generally awards only one grant to an organization per year. We recommend that not-for-profit organizations prioritize their funding needs.

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