Jackson Community Foundation Grantmaking
How is grantmaking possible?
JCF has various types of permanent endowment funds, often referred to simply as "funds," which have been entrusted to us by donors throughout Jackson County. The Foundation invests and manages these funds with the goal of increasing their principal and returning part of the earnings to the community through grantmaking.
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.
Who can apply for a grant?
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 Jackson County, Michigan only.
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 Jackson County are not accepted.
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.
Jackson Community Foundation Scholarship Descriptions
JCF administers more than 30 scholarship funds. The scholarship funds support a wide range of individuals, with varied fields of study. Click here for a detailed description of each fund. In addition to JCF scholarships there are a variety of local scholarships and student loans available to support Jackson County residents. For a complete list, click here.
How does my organization apply for an Unrestricted Community Needs grant?
The Jackson 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 Jan Maino, Chief Operating Officer if you have questions or would like assistance in preparing your application.
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, please 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.
JCF Grant Contacts
Jan Maino, Chief Operating Officer
Diane McDonald, Grant and Scholarship Coordinator
Christine Taylor, Youth and Education Coordinator
Tel. (517) 787-1321
Fax (517) 787-4333
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Helpful Websites for Grant Seekers
Nonprofit Network
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
Information on how to write proposals, links to foundation web sites, this web page can be a great resource.
Area List of Funders
Listing of funders in Jackson County, Michigan.
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Grant Reporting
If your organization has been awarded a grant from The Jackson Community Foundation, please use JCF’s reporting guidelines. There is a mid-term grant report format and a final grant 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 Jan Maino, Chief Operating Officer, if you have questions or would like assistance in preparing your report.
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.
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.
Unrestricted Community Needs Grant Rounds
The deadline is 5:00 p.m. on the following dates: January 15 and September 15 (If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, 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 for 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 p.m. on July 7th of each year.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, the application is due on the first business day following that weekend.
The Teachers Fund awards competitive grants up to $5,000 for creative, innovative classroom projects that will lead to improvements in the teaching/learning process and educational excellence in Jackson County schools. Jackson County public and private K-12 teachers and administrators may apply by completing the Teachers Fund Grant Application.
Youth Advisory Committee K-12 Classroom
Mini-Grants Up to $300
DEADLINE:
5 p.m. on November 3rd of each year.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, the application is due on the first business day following that weekend.
K-12 Mini-Grants introduce students to the concept of a community foundation and its work, exposing them to the basics of a proposal, budget and grant. Students in grades K-12 are eligible for up to $300 for materials, projects or programs that benefit youth, encourage volunteerism and enhance the school environment.
Elementary students should complete the
Elementary Mini-Grant Application and Criteria.
Secondary students should complete the
Secondary Mini-Grant Application and Criteria.
Youth Advisory Committee Grants
The Youth Advisory Committee, which operates a youth directed mini-foundation within the Jackson Community Foundation, considers funding for programs and organizations that focus on youth-related programs and services in Jackson County.
October - April deadline: Proposals may be submitted throughout the year, please allow at least four weeks for The Jackson Community Foundation to respond to your request. 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 Jackson County. |
