FSCF: Community Development Grant

The FSCF Community Development Grant, established in 1996, supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies serving the Five Star communities (Lucan, Seaforth, Vesta, Wabasso, and Wanda). The program focuses on projects that address community needs, enhancing education, wellness, and civic opportunities. Grants may be awarded annually, contingent on compliance with stipulations. Preference is given to projects that demonstrate long-term community benefits and promote volunteer involvement.

This grant program will award major grants that fulfill the conditions described in the preference section. The Advisory Committee shall designate and publicize a grant application period in the spring of each year. Grants will be awarded in a timely manner following this application process.
The application for a Community Development Grant shall include a detailed program narrative as well as a proposed program budget. The Advisory Committee shall provide forms and instructions to applicants.
Multiple-year Community Development Grants may be awarded. If a Multiple-year Community Development Grant is awarded, funds will be provided annually and subsequent year funding is contingent upon compliance in the previous year(s) with any and all stipulations set forth by the Foundation If the Foundation determines that any stipulations not been met, it may, at its sole discretion, terminate continued funding of the project or program
The Five Star Community Foundation Advisory Committee shall approve additional criteria and rules for the Community Development Grant Program as needed.
Grant Objectives:
Applicants for funds, and the program funded, must serve residents of the Five Star communities and the surrounding area.The policy of the Foundation is to provide grants for community development projects and programs, which are responsive to the changing community needs in promoting quality education, cultural, wellness, recreational, social service, environmental and civic opportunities.

Eligibility

Grants are made to nonprofit organizations under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, churches, schools, and to government agencies.

Ineligibility

Grants generally will not be made to individuals.
Grant Program Limitations:
Grants are not usually made to support operating expenses of well-established organizations or ongoing programs or in response to annual fund drives for sustaining support. On occasion, the Foundation may provide operating expense support on a short term basis when such support is critical to the survival of a key agency or program, which has been placed in jeopardy by changes in funding patterns. A grant for operating funds to revitalize or expand an existing program may be made only if the applicant demonstrates the program can become self-sustaining.
Grants are not usually made to establish or add to endowment funds.
Grants from discretionary funds will not ordinarily be made for the general use of churches or for sectarian religious purposes except from designated portions of the Foundation, which have been established for such purposes.A grant may be made to a church, including a school operated by a church, for non-religious and non-sectarian programs that meet the needs of the entire community and are open to the entire community, provided there is a well-designed process for reaching beyond the church membership for participants in the program.