FHCCF: Responsive Grants

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation offers responsive grants to support projects that address community needs in the Greater Hancock County area. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations and government agencies, focusing on initiatives that improve quality of life and demonstrate measurable outcomes. The Foundation emphasizes collaboration, sustainability, and diversity in its funding criteria, ensuring that projects align with community goals and leverage additional resources.

NOTE: It is recommended that grantseekers call The Community Foundation office for an appointment to discuss their ideas with community engagement staff before submitting a Letter of Intent.
Introduction
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is a nonprofit, publicly supported, philanthropic institution that manages a pool of charitable funds. The Foundation has been awarding grants for 50 years, first as the Dorney Fund of the Cleveland Foundation in the 1970s, then as The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation beginning in 1992. This history of supporting the community in partnership with donors is a lesson in collaboration.
Each year, the Foundation’s Board of Trustees determines the amount available to award in the form of responsive grants that benefit Findlay and Hancock County. Responsive grants are funded by our Community’s Endowment, a pool of unrestricted funds. The Foundation manages other funds that are donor directed for specific causes or organizations. Together these funds reflect the diverse charitable interests of our community and enable us to respond to a wide variety of community challenges and needs.
Successful applications typically address problems to be solved or opportunities to be seized in the Greater Hancock County area.
There is no prescription to ensure success in obtaining a responsive grant. Each proposal is evaluated based on its potential benefit to the people living in our community at a given point in time - and on the imagination, resourcefulness and credibility of those submitting it.

Eligibility

Most responsive grants are made to tax-exempt, private agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations, public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Grants may also be made to governmental agencies.The programs we consider for support are located in the Greater Hancock County area or will directly benefit the Greater Hancock County residents unless stipulated by the donor.Responsive grants allow the Foundation to respond to organizational and community needs.Grant requests should include some or all of the following elements:Programs serving Hancock County residents.
Programs that make a substantial difference in the quality of community life.
Programs that avoid unnecessary duplication of services.
Programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes.
Programs that help nonprofit organizations build capacity and become more effective.
Programs that include financial and other strategic commitments from funding organizations other than The Community Foundation.Programs that expand meaningful civic engagements and build social capital.
Programs that address prevention as well as remediation.
Programs that acknowledge and respect diversity and help bridge differences among individuals, organizations and communities.Organizations with fiscal soundness and plans for continuing their program in the future.
Organizations that demonstrate sustainability.
Organizations that facilitate collaboration among relevant groups.
Organizations that use or expand upon demonstrated and documented best practices.
Organizations that leverage change in the capacity of community-wide systems rather than individual organizations.On a case-by-case basis, requests for technology funding will be considered as part of a program request if specific criteria are met. Contact community engagement staff to discuss.The grant period may vary depending on the proposed activities. The Community Foundation grants are awarded for a definite purpose and for a project to be accomplished in a specific period of time.Typically, grant periods range from as short as six (6) months to as long as three (3) to five (5) years. A semi-annual report including a budget update and narrative must be submitted every six months.

Ineligibility

Unnecessary duplication of existing services.
Requests from individuals.
Ongoing operating expenses.
Annual appeals or membership drives.
Fundraising projects, advertisements, endowment or debt reduction.
Religious organizations for religious purposes.
Community services such as police and fire protection.
Travel for individuals or groups when it is the primary focus of the proposal.
Staff positions for government agencies.
Stand-alone books, films, or videos.
Computer equipment.
Medical research.
Retroactive programs and projects.
Partisan political advocacy.
Capital requests or capital campaigns.Capital projects must help meet a compelling community need, advance Community Foundation priorities and offer broad social benefits. When we do participate in a capital project, support is contingent on funding from other sources. Payment will not be authorized until the organization has raised a significant percentage of its total dollar goal.