JIF Emergency and Accelerated Grants

The JIF Emergency and Accelerated Grants support nonprofit agencies in Indian River County by providing essential funding for capital needs. These grants are designed for organizations that help address critical human needs and economic challenges, ensuring that community members receive assistance in areas such as food, shelter, and healthcare. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations with a proven track record of service and financial viability.

The John’s Island Foundation (JIF) provides grant funding for capital needs to nonprofit agencies that serve residents in Indian River County. Agencies eligible for funding are those that serve people in need and whose programs are directed toward meeting needs or assisting with issues related to food, shelter, disabilities, health, aging, abuse or education.
While local organizations in town were funding program and service needs, nonprofit agencies had nowhere to turn for bricks and mortar and capital improvements. The Foundation established by-laws that set the groundwork for the future: to raise funds from the John’s Island community to make capital grants to agencies serving those in need in Indian River County.
Emergency and Accelerated Grants are off-cycle and time-sensitive grants that are awarded in cases of significant human need or economic implications.

Eligibility

Only non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations that file an IRS Form 990 tax return will be considered.
Agencies with religious affiliations will be considered only if they serve community members without regard to their religious beliefs and assets will not be used for religious purposes.
Capital is defined as tangible assets, typically with a useful life of three years or more (e.g., additions or improvements to land or buildings, playground or medical equipment, vehicles, computers):

• computer equipment and software may be funded for specific programming needs.
• normally painting is considered regular maintenance unless it is specific to a new construction or renovation project.

Applicants should demonstrate a track record of operation with continuity of programs serving those in need for at least one year. The agency must be financially viable as evidenced by a history of generally breaking even, meeting budgetary projections, and having sound governance.
an annual audit by an independent CPA for the last two fiscal years is required from agencies.
the establishment of a capital budget
Grants may be made for improvements to leased facilities or for assets intended to be used in leased facilities. In such cases, the agency must represent that:

• the facility lease specifies that capital improvements are the responsibility of the lessee;
• the remaining term of the lease (including lessee options) exceeds the useful life of the assets to be funded; and,
• the agency intends to continue to utilize the property for at least the useful life of the assets to be funded.

Grant requests should demonstrate that the agency will make its best efforts to complete the project in a cost-effective way, including obtaining two competing bids where appropriate. If a grant is approved for a construction or other long-term project, funding may be provided in several tranches as set forth in the grant documents approving the project.

Ineligibility

Grants will not be considered for endowments, private foundations, sectarian or political purposes, individuals, or animal welfare.JIF does not fund the purchases of education curricula.
JIF does not fund devices (including cell phones, iPads, or laptops) for personal use.