Kirby Event Grants

The Kirby Event Grants, offered by the Polk County Community Foundation, aim to support free community gatherings that foster social interactions and strengthen local ties. Events funded include entertainment, educational programs, and activities for diverse groups, ensuring inclusivity. Applicants are encouraged to promote healthy living and utilize public spaces. These grants are essential for enhancing community engagement and enriching the lives of residents in the Polk County area, making all events completely free for participants.

NOTE: Before submitting a grant application, please complete a brief Letter of Intent form to confirm that your organization is eligible to apply for grants and that your project meets the criteria for one or more of our available grantmaking funds. Organizations new to the Foundation should contact us regarding grant eligibility as a first step.
Free Community Events
The Community Foundation is pleased to offer grants for free community events, an initiative of the Foundation's Board of Directors to support face to face social interactions that build community in ways small and large. Gatherings funded by these grants are intended to benefit residents who have chosen to make this community their home, to give people an excuse to strike up a conversation and get to know your neighbors. Past grants have funded free entertainment at the Upstairs Artspace, heart-healthy banquets in Green Creek, programs for children and Shakespeare fans at the Polk County Public Library, and a Play Day for children and families in Saluda. All events are 100% free.
We encourage applicants to consider incorporating one or more of the following into your project (not required):
Developing or sharing a common interestHealthy living emphasis, such as local and/or healthy foodPhysical activitiesThe use of public gathering spots, such as parks, libraries, and schoolsEvents that bring together local people from diverse demographic backgrounds around a common interest or passion
Kirby Civic Events Fund
This grant supports enjoyable free civic events in the Tyron area.
Kirby Harmon Field Fund
This grant supports free sports and recreational activities oriented toward the development of teamwork and good citizenship among the youth in the area.
Kirby Rogers Park Fund
This grant supports entertaining, educational, and innovative free events at the Gibbs Amphitheater at Rogers Park.

Eligibility

All Kirby events must be free, according to the following definition:Event attendees may not be asked for contributions.
The event may not include the sale of food, or merchandise, or charges for entertainment.
Gifts of merchandise and money as well as volunteers are most welcome to defray additional costs beyond those covered by the grant. However, the giver must remain anonymous, so that the event in no way becomes a marketing venture. (Note: this means that Kirby events cannot recognize other sponsors.)Which organizations are eligible for grants?501(c)(3) nonprofits, public school systems, and units of government primarily serve the citizens of the community centered in and around Polk County.Regional organizations that serve our community but are based outside of Polk County, NC, or Landrum, SC should contact the Foundation for guidance about eligibility.