Strategic Grants and General Grants

Strategic Grants and General Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Community Foundation of Carroll County
Amount: US $1,500 - US $20,000
Last Updated: March 10, 2026

Summary

The Community Foundation of Carroll County offers Strategic and General Grants aimed at fostering sustainable community improvements. Strategic Grants focus on key aspirations identified through community conversations, such as affordable housing and inclusive initiatives. General Grants support a variety of programs, including health services and education. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations benefiting Carroll County residents. The Foundation emphasizes quality applications and innovative projects that demonstrate community impact.

Overview

Note:  First-time applicants must contact the Foundation to discuss grant proposals prior to submission. Letters of intent should be submitted at least two weeks before the target grant deadline to allow adequate time to construct a full proposal. Mission The Community Foundation's mission is to connect people, resources and causes to produce a positive and sustainable change in the communities we serve. After we receive the money from our donors, we invest it and use part of the earnings to make grants to 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that are improving the quality of life in Carroll County for this generation and generations to come. Based on our strategic plan and community listening processes, the Foundation grant program guidelines are outlined below. Strategic Grants In 2024, the Community Foundation conducted 13 community conversations in Howard County, 14 community conversations in Clinton County and 12 community conversations in Carroll County to hear the issues citizens feel are important to the future well-being and growth of our communities. We are seeking applications that make significant progress in one of these aspirations prioritized by you and our neighbors: Safe and Healthy This includes affordable housing, shelters, mental health and substance abuse services (bilingual services for care), removing barriers (includes transportation) to access services, family strengthening initiatives, safe housing, mental health resources for youth. Progressive, Growing, Vibrant and Economically Healthy This includes community development, training for elected officials and other leaders, education, childcare options, affordable housing, transportation and quality of place initiatives. Inclusive, Supportive, Connected, Engaging and Culturally Diverse This includes initiatives that encourage inclusiveness, cultural diversity, connectiveness, and bilingual services, collaborative activities, socioeconomic interaction initiatives, diversity in community outreach, human rights programs and accessibility for all to resources. General Grants Also part of our regular grant cycles, general grants are a continuation of our traditional, responsive grantmaking program which supports a variety of programs and services in our counties. It also includes grants for nonprofit capacity building. Health & Medicalto include the support of health and medical related programs; Social Servicesto include the support of human service organizations, programs for children and youth and services to the aged; Educationto include support for programs in pre-school, elementary and secondary education, post-secondary education, scholarships and for special education programs; Cultural Affairsto include the support of programs and facilities which are designed to establish a diversified county cultural program that offers widespread participation and appreciation; Civic Affairsto include support of programs related to criminal justice, community development, employment, citizen involvement, leadership training, and other general community activities; Community Beautificationto include the support of projects that advocate, stimulate and support community vitality, beautification/environmental preservation and adornment.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We make grants to tax-exempt agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations, which are public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Community Foundation will consider only grant requests that benefit residents of Carroll Counties. Not-for-profit organizations without a 501(c)(3) classification may seek funding with the support of a fiscal agent.Requests for operational funding, including salaries, must be discussed with Foundation staff prior to submitting the LOI. Such requests must include a plan for sustainability past the first year and, if approved, are a one-time award which will not be considered in future grant cycles. The Committee is open to “seed money” for an existing organization to start a new program, which can include salary expenses.

Ineligibility

The Community Foundation Serving Howard, Clinton, and Carroll Counties does not make grants or loans to individuals. The Foundation does not generally make grants to individuals, for religious purposes, for covering budget deficits, for travel, for fundraising events, for endowments, or for projects normally the responsibility of a government agency.