The Portage Foundation Grants

The Portage Foundation Grants focus on nine vital funding priority areas that address the community's needs in Portage County. These areas include animal welfare, arts and culture, children's programs, economic development, education, environment, health, human services, scholarships, and agency endowments. Grants typically range from $500 to $2,500, supporting nonprofits classified as 501(c)(3) charities. The foundation emphasizes projects that build capacity and address community challenges, ensuring a significant impact on the residents.

The Portage Foundation has identified nine funding priority areas that guide our work. Existing funds at the Portage Foundation reflect these priority areas, which focus on the identified needs of our community.There are nine areas where the Portage Foundation’s funds have targeted as being of greatest need in Portage County. Click on a category to view and support the Portage Foundation fund for each priority or see established funds to which you can donate
Animal Welfare
From local shelters to animal rescue agencies, and more – supporting animals throughout the Portage County region.
Arts and Culture
Building community through supporting the Arts and Cultural programs and organizations of Portage County.
Children’s Programs
Helping children of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences through a variety of local organizations.
Economic Development
Building a stronger Portage County through programs that lift the economic development of our residents.
Education
Education is the foundation and security of a community. These funds focus on the educational needs of our area.
Environment
Supporting the natural resources, parks, and recreational organizations that make Portage County special
Health
Helping area residents of all ages to have better health through supporting organizations and programs within our community.
Human Services
This priority supports those organizations and programs that assist area residents with the many challenges they face
Scholarships
These funds assist area students in their pursuit of further education and career development.
Agency Endowments
These funds assist specific non-profit organizations that have created Agency Endowments with the Portage Foundation
Typical grants range between $500 and $2,500.

Eligibility

Grant seekers may only apply once per calendar yearOrganizations must be located in or provide services to residents of Portage County.Grant seekers outside Portage County must provide information on services provided and individuals served in Portage County.Grants will be made only to nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) charities by the Internal Revenue Service.Reporting requirements from prior grants must be fulfilled before submitting a new application.What types of projects are funded?Projects that support capacity building in the areas of governance, management, service delivery and financial sustainability.One-time, non-recurring expenditures for start-up efforts or special projects; specific capital needs; and program-related expenses are given equal consideration.Collaborations among two or more organization are encouraged; If an application is being made for a collaborative effort, it must include letters of support from the boards of all organizations involved.Projects that address the underlying cause of a problem.Part of a nonprofit’s general operating budget ONLY if the applicant can demonstrate compelling need.Grant approval is based on an evaluation of the significance of a project, its purpose, its likelihood of success, and its potential benefit to the Portage County community. We also consider the strength and stability of the applicant organization and the availability of funding from other sources to fulfill the goals of the grant.

Ineligibility

Grants will not be made to individuals or for debt reduction, loans, for-profit businesses, research, special event tickets or sponsorships, annual appeals, political campaigns or religious activities.
We do not fund school curriculum.