The John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Fund for Monroe County Grant

The John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Fund for Monroe County provides grants of $5,000 to $7,500 to support organizations dedicated to enhancing the educational and cultural opportunities for Monroe County residents. Eligible organizations must operate in Monroe County and adhere to specific funding criteria, including a required 10% match for funds requested. Applications for the 2024-2026 cycle will open in 2026.

NOTE: This grant is on a two-year cycle. The current grant period runs from 2024-2026. The next opportunity to apply for this biennial grant will be in 2026.
The John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Fund for Monroe County
An Affiliate Fund of East Tennessee Foundation
The John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Fund for Monroe County (Fund for Monroe County) was established through a generous gift by Monroe County natives, John and his sister, Louise. Louise and John’s desire to help secure advanced educational opportunities for students and leave a philanthropic legacy dedicated to improving the lives of residents of Monroe County became a reality in 1998 with the establishment of a permanent charitable endowment for Monroe County. The Fund was created to benefit the economic, social, cultural and educational well-being of Monroe County residents and their communities. Grants from the Fund are intended to encourage creative use of area resources and contribute to the quality of life of Monroe County residents.
Grant Amounts and Term
The grant term is September 15, 2024 – September 15, 2026. Amounts will range from $5,000 – $7,500.

Eligibility

General Eligibility and Funding CriteriaEligible organizations must have and be able to provide documentation to verify the following:Confirmation that the organization is a 501(c)(3) public charity, unit of government , or educational institutionNew or emerging groups that do not have nonprofit status may apply if they have an established nonprofit organization as a fiscal sponsorEmployee Identification Number (EIN)Legal name of organization, address and contact information (phone fax, email address)Primary contact person and titleList of staff administering the projectMost recent financial statements and/or most recent audit and/or IRS Form 990Current year operating budgetList of current board of directors or equivalent governing bodyConfirmation that the organization operates and is organized so as to not discriminate on the basis of race, color national origin, religion, gender, familial status, sexual orientation, age, disability, covered veteran status, or other characteristics as identified in the Foundation’s Non-Discrimination Policy Statement.Additional eligibility criteria specific to the Fund for Monroe County:Applicant organizations must have a local presence in Monroe County; directly serve people who live and work in Monroe County; and have Monroe County citizen involvement in the organization as volunteers, staff or board members. Salary or administrative support must not exceed 30% of the funding requested.Required: funds requested must have a 10% match. Match may be in cash, in-kind donations of goods and/or services, or a combination of both.

Ineligibility

The following types of requests will NOT be funded:Grants to individuals. We are restricted by law and therefore unable to provide grants directly to individuals.
Projects that have explicit religious content, express a particular religious view, or advance a religious purpose