The Scott County Community Foundation extends an open invitation to the community to submit proposals for the Foundation’s 2025 Community Grants Program. The grants may be used for any charitable purpose in the areas of community betterment, health and human services, and education. The Foundation has awarded over $6.4 million in grants and scholarships to the community since being established in 1997, which includes over $2.3 million from the competitive grants process.
The Foundation has $130,700 that may be awarded in this year’s program from unrestricted funds, including the Borden Family Community Granting Fund, the Boswell Family Fund, Laurence and Myrtle Bridge Memorial Fund, Donald R. Collins Sr. Family Fund, Community Enrichment Fund, Phillip Dold Sr. Memorial Fund, Terry Fewell Memorial Fund, The Garten Foundation, Addie Mae Graham Memorial Fund, the Lauren Graham Memorial Fund, Dale and Rosemarie Hobbs Fund, Dustin and Derek Jones Memorial Fund, Hazel and Lowell Lowry Sr. Memorial Fund, L.L. and Juanita Lowry Unrestricted Fund, John and Janice Martin Unrestricted Endowment Fund, Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund, Dr. William and Diann Scott Memorial Fund, Dan and Mary Lou Slattery Fund, Scott County Memorial Fund, Scott County Immediate Response Fund, Wesbanco Fund, William Frasier Wetzel Memorial Fund, and the Yellow Rose of Nancy Laird Memorial Fund. In addition, there is $49,455 available from the CAPE Endowment Fund, which provides funding for educational initiatives carried out through the Scott County Partnership.
The Scott County Community Foundation welcomes proposals from charitable organizations which have their tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status, schools, and government entities. Proposals from nonprofit organizations not classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity may be considered provided the project is charitable and supports a community need.
Because this is a competitive process, application standards and expectations will be high. A grants rubric and application tutorial has been made available on the Foundation’s website. First-time applicants are required to meet with staff to review applications and receive tips for a successful proposal; however, any applicants are welcome to this service as well.
To assist with grantwriting for this application, and other sources of funding, the Community Foundation is hosting a grantwriting workshop in partnership with Purdue Extension. “Basic Elements of a Grant Proposal and Finding Grant Funding” will be offered on Wednesday, February 26 from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Lifelong Learning Center. Participants will learn about common components of many grant applications as well as tips and sources for finding grant funders. They will also learn how to search for funders using Candid’s Foundation Directory Online (FDO) database. All registrants will receive a two-week-limited FDO Professional subscription to use in March (over $100 value). The cost of the workshop is $15/person and includes lunch. To register and pay online, visit https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/grantwriting-workshop-2.
Applications are now submitted completely online, with no hard copies required. To submit an application, visit the Foundation’s website at www.scottcountyfoundation.org and find the link from the Scholarships and Grants menu.
Grant applications are due Wednesday, April 30 at 3 p.m. Finalists may be interviewed at the end of May or beginning of June, and recipients will be announced mid-June.
For more information, please call Jaime Toppe at 752-2057 or email info@scottcountyfoundation.org. You may also stop in the office at 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg.
