Protecting Stark's Future Grant

Protecting Stark's Future Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Stark Community Foundation
Amount: Up to US $100,000
Last Updated: March 15, 2026

Summary

The Protecting Stark's Future Grant, initiated by the Stark Community Foundation, aims to combat child poverty in Stark County through collaborative, neighborhood-focused projects. This funding opportunity invites tax-exempt organizations and government entities to submit proposals that enhance family earnings and integrate financial planning strategies. By fostering community engagement and research-driven solutions, the initiative seeks to address the pressing need for effective child poverty reduction efforts across the region. Organizations are encouraged to apply for either planning or implementation grants.

Overview

Stark Community Foundation’s Protecting Stark’s Future initiative supports collaborative community-based solutions to reduce child poverty at the neighborhood level. Stark Community Foundation and United Way of Greater Stark County, in partnership with the Center for Community Solutions, released Protecting Stark’s Future: A Call to Coordinate Child Poverty Strategies in late 2020. Rooted in research, the report outlines why Stark County stakeholders need to intentionally work together to collaborate and coordinate efforts and target resources to reduce child poverty. As we drilled down into our community’s data, it became apparent that every issue of concern was related to poverty. In particular, the high child poverty rates in our community demand our increased and continued attention. Funding Opportunity Through a request for proposals (RFP) process, we hope to solicit the best ideas from organizations who partner together on imaginative solutions to address child poverty at the neighborhood level. Tax-exempt private agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations (that are recognized as public charities) and government entities located within Stark County or directly benefiting Stark County are eligible to apply for funding. One way in which the philanthropic sector is made aware of challenges and issues in our community is through discretionary grantmaking. At the same time, it is also important we consider community research so that we identify areas where data clearly tells us more work needs to be done. Child poverty levels are demanding our attention. We cannot tackle this issue alone and we encourage our community to participate in civic engagement in helping to inform the public decisions that directly impact lives. We recognize that to achieve progress, collaboration is critical. This is evident when examining successful community efforts, including in recent efforts with The Future of Food Security initiative. Organizations in this realm came together leading with the interest of their missions and are now positioned to address these needs better than ever before. Through this request for proposals (RFP) process, we hope to solicit the best ideas from nonprofits, public agencies, and community organizations serving Stark County, and to partner together on imaginative solutions to address child poverty. While we recognize and will continue to support immediate needs as they relate to child poverty, the focus of this RFP is to specifically address child poverty rates through efforts that increase the earnings of families and promote activities that integrate financial planning, and incorporate neighborhood-level strategies. All communities in Stark County are invited to participate in this conversation. We invite you to apply. PROGRAM GOAL We are interested in investing in projects at the neighborhood level. We are not looking to fund individual organizations working in isolation. Desired projects will noticeably strive to improve a specific neighborhood in terms of addressing child poverty. These projects will clearly outline its goals and objectives and demonstrate the ability to increase community impact with a one-year planning grant or an implementation grant. Projects must produce significant impact in addressing the following areas: increasing the earnings of familiespromote activities that integrate financial planning And, all projects must incorporate neighborhood-level strategies. GRANT CATEGORIES Planning Grants One-year planning grants up to a maximum of $15,000 per project (note: receiving a planning grant is not a guarantee of future funding for an implementation grant). Planning grant funds can be used for staff planning time, consultants, market research – including research that explores replicating a program that has seen success in another geographic area, economic analyses, communication channels, etc. One-year planning grants will be considered for projects that demonstrate further opportunity, but need additional research and planning to be ready for a more significant investment. Planning processes must reflect collaborative/multi-organization efforts with one lead organization designated to apply for funds. Implementation Grants Implementation grants may be one-to-three years with a maximum award of $100,000 per project. Multi-year implementation grants will be considered for projects that are poised to expand capacity in the community. Implementation projects must reflect collaborative/multiorganization efforts with one lead organization designated to apply for SCF funds.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Organizations must serve Stark County and must specify a neighborhood focus area.Organizations eligible to apply for funding include: tax-exempt private agencies, 501(c)(3) organizations (that are recognized as public charities), and government entities located within Stark County or directly benefiting Stark County.Organizations with religious affiliations will be considered for funding only if the project for which they seek support addresses the needs of the wider community without regard to religious beliefs

Ineligibility

The Foundation does not award grants to individuals except through scholarship funds.Stark Community Foundation normally does not approve grants to support the following:Annual appeals and membership contributionsConferences and recognition eventsDeficit financing for programs or capital expendituresEndowment fundsIncentives for program participantsMultiple station computerization projects from individual school systems and other educational institutionsOperating expenses of established organizationsReligious organizations for religious purposesStipends for program participantsVehicles