GRANT PROGRAM
Jackson How is grantmaking possible?
Who can apply for a grant?
Before applying for a grant, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the Mission, Beliefs, Strategic Goals and Unrestricted Grantmaking Policies. If you have questions or would like assistance with your application please call (517) 787-1321.
The Community Impact grant application is designed for grant requests over $5,000. Prior to completing the Community Impact grant application, your organization must complete a Letter of Intent and receive a positive response from the JCF, inviting your organization to submit a complete application. The Letter of Intent is designed for your organization to provide a brief summary of your proposed program or project. This allows JCF staff to review your intent prior to your organization investing time and resources into a thorough and lengthy grant application. This has proven to be helpful to many organizations that may not be familiar with JCF’s Unrestricted Grantmaking Policies, and it prevents your organization from investing in a grant application that may not fit with JCF’s Mission, Beliefs, Strategic Goals. The Community Impact grant application format will be provided, based upon your Letter of Intent, and a request for a complete application. It should be noted that JCF staff requests at least 14 days to respond to a Letter of Intent. Therefore you must submit a Letter of Intent at least 21 days prior to a grant deadline that you may be targeting. For example, if you are targeting the May 15th grant deadline, you must submit a Letter of Intent by April 24th. This allows time to review the Letter and then, at our request, complete the application. Do not hesitate to contact Foundation staff if you have questions or would like assistance in preparing your application.
If at any time during this process you would like staff to review your proposal for feedback, do not hesitate contact us at (517) 787-1321.
All applications are reviewed by a committee and recommendations are given to the JCF Board of Trustees. The JCF Board of Trustees makes the final approval of all grants awards. Awards are made on a competitive basis.
Grant Reporting
In addition to regular grant reporting, it is also a grant requirement to complete a press release. Click here for a sample press release. We also provide you with a list of local media contacts to which you may send your press release. JCF has banners that are available to display at events and programs, please contact us to reserve a banner for your event. These banners indicate that your organization received support from JCF.
In addition to regular grant reporting, it is also a grant requirement to complete a press release. We also provide you with a to which you may send your press release. JCF has banners that are available to display at events and programs, please contact us to reserve a banner for your event. These banners indicate that your organization received support from JCF.
In addition to regular grant reporting, it is also a grant requirement to complete a press release. We also provide you with a to which you may send your press release. JCF has banners that are available to display at events and programs, please contact us to reserve a banner for your event. These banners indicate that your organization received support from JCF.
Unrestricted Community Needs Grant Rounds
Jackson Diane McDonald, Program Assistant
Christine Taylor, Youth and Education Coordinator
The Jackson County Community Foundation
JCF has various types of permanent endowment funds, often referred to simply as "funds," which have been entrusted to us by donors throughout
Donors establish designated funds for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from providing scholarships, to benefiting specific charities, to supporting a particular purpose. Other funds have been earmarked for an area of philanthropic interest (for example, youth programs, education, literacy, or arts and culture), while still others have been created for unrestricted grantmaking purposes. In the case of area of interest and unrestricted funds — collectively known as discretionary funds — the donor has entrusted the Foundation with the task of awarding grants that address current or emerging community needs.
JCF awards grants to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, school districts, and units of government covering a full range of charitable activity. Though we welcome all those seeking information about our foundation, our purpose is to serve the geographic area of
While the Foundation remains flexible in trying to address the needs of the community, we do not make grants to individuals (except scholarships), programs that advocate specific religions, or services which are standard government or school obligations. Applications from organizations not serving
What does the Foundation look for in a grant?
The Board of Trustees and the Distribution Committee look for projects or programs that support our
-Demonstrate a clear and convincing need and target gaps in services
-Encourage cooperation, and that do not unnecessarily duplicate services
-Have clear, defined goals and measurable outcomes
-Include a long-term, sustainable financial plan
-Develop program self-reliance and eliminate dependency
-Mirror the diversity of our community and promote equity among its various segments
How does my organization apply for an Unrestricted Community Needs grant?
The Jackson County Community Foundation (JCF) has developed a simple application process. This includes two separate applications based upon the amount you intend to request. The first application is the Community Partner grant application. This is designed for grant requests of less than $5,000. This is an application that requires approximately two pages of narrative describing your project, and a few attachments. All of this is explained in the application. Do not hesitate to contact
If your organization has been awarded a grant from The Jackson County Community Foundation, please use JCF’s reporting guidelines. There is a mid-term report format and a final report format. Grant periods are generally one year, however if your project or program is short term a final report may be all that is necessary. Grant reporting deadlines are June 30th and December 31st of the year within which you've received a grant. Do not hesitate to contact
Grant Categories
Each grant category below has its own individual application process, guidelines and deadline. Grants from each category are made based on the availability of dollars in each fund, which can vary from year to year.
Deadline is at 5:00pm on the following dates: January 15; May 15; and September 15 (If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, then the application is due on the first business day following that weekend or holiday.)
JCF awards grants to nonprofit organizations covering a full range of charitable activity such as health and human services, education, economic/community development, arts and culture, and environmental quality and protection. All grants are evaluated on a competitive basis and priority is given to those projects that show potential for providing maximum benefit to community members. The Unrestricted Community Needs Grants are funded through JCF’s Unrestricted Community Needs Fund and Named Unrestricted Funds.
Restricted Funds
Field of Interest Funds allows donors to focus their giving in a particular field of interest. Grantmaking form these funds vary from year to year and are based upon grant requests and funds available. A complete list of JCF’s Field of Interest Funds is available by clicking here.
Donor Advised Funds allow donors to become active grantmakers, recommending grants for specific organizations to the JCF Board of Trustees for approval. A complete list of JCF’s Donor Advised Funds is available by clicking here. To apply for a grant from a Donor Advised Fund you must follow the process for the Unrestricted Community Needs Grant requests. The necessary and detailed information is above.
The Teachers Fund DEADLINE: 5:00 pm on July 7, 2008
The Teachers Fund awards competitive grants up to $5,000 for creative, innovative classroom projects and classroom-based research that will lead to improvements in the teaching/learning process and educational excellence in
Youth Advisory Committee K-6 and 7-12 Classroom Mini-GrantsDEADLINE: 5:00 pm on November 12, 2008
K-6 Mini-Grants (up to $100) introduce students in grades K-6 the concept of a community foundation and its work while exposing them to the simple basics of a proposal, budget and grant. By completing the Elementary Mini-Grant application, classrooms are eligible for financial support for their classroom activities. Students in grades 7-12 are eligible for Mini-grants (up to $300) that provide opportunities for projects and programs that benefit youth, encourage volunteerism and enhance the school environment through positive activities. Students must complete the High School Mini-Grant application to be eligible.
Youth Advisory Committee Grants
LINK TO FULL YAC DESCRIPTION
The Youth Advisory Committee, which operates a youth directed mini-foundation within the Community Foundation, considers funding for programs and organizations that focus on youth-related programs and services in
JCF administers more than 30 scholarship funds. The scholarship funds support a wide range of individuals, with varied fields of study. For a detailed description of each fund click here. In addition to JCF Scholarships there are a variety of local scholarships and student loans available to support
JCF Grant Contacts
One Jackson Square, Suite 308
Jackson, Michigan 49201
tel (517) 787-1321 fax (517) 787-4333
Helpful Websites for Grant Seekers
The Jackson Nonprofit Support Center
An excellent local resource for nonprofit management, grants and volunteerism in Jackson County, Michigan.
Council of Michigan Foundations
Information on philanthropy and links to information for grantseekers and grantmakers.
The Foundation Center
From information on how to write proposals, to links to foundation web sites, this web page can be a great resource.
The Jackson County Community Foundation Resource Links
Listing of community resource links for grants and philanthropy.
Area List of Funders
Listing of funders in Jackson County, Michigan.