Grant FAQs

How do I know if I am eligible to apply for a grant from the Community Foundation of Pulaski County?

We make grants to tax-exempt agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations, which are public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Community Foundation will consider only grant requests that benefit residents of Pulaski County, Indiana. Not-for-profit organizations without a 501(c)(3) classification may seek funding, but only if the funds will be used for a charitable purpose.

Can I apply for a grant from the Community Foundation if I have a personal need?

The Community Foundation does not make grants or loans to individuals. As a community foundation, we support the charitable projects and programs provided by nonprofit organizations who serve Pulaski County, Indiana.

What if I have never written a grant before and want to apply?

Grant guidelines and instructions are provided on this website. The grant application is easy to follow and asks for basic information about your organization and your project. Still have questions? Contact us to set up a meeting and Foundation staff would be happy to discuss your project and provide additional support.

When are grant applications due?

Community Grants are reviewed on the schedule listed on the Grants page of this website. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on the day of the grant deadline.

My organization was just notified that we have been awarded a grant. How do we go about requesting the funds?

Following your grant award notification, a Grant Agreement form will be assigned to you in the grant portal. Funds will not be released for the  grant until we have received the signed Grant Agreement. 

How long does my organization have to complete our project?

We generally ask that projects be completed within 12 months of your group being awarded a grant. However, we understand that sometimes projects are delayed due to unforeseen circumstances. If you do find that your grant project will not be completed within 12 months, please contact the Executive Director for an extension of your grant term.

What if my organization does not use all of the funds for the approved project?

Grants are provided by the Foundation for specific purposes as stated in your application. If your project changes or you do not require all of the funds provided, you must contact the Executive Director for a determination. In some cases, the funds must be returned. In other cases, a variance might be approved. Please contact the Executive Director at (574) 946-0906 to discuss your individual situation.

What are my obligations as a grantee?

Internal Revenue Service policies require that a Final Grant Report be completed for every competitive grant we award. Reports are usually due a month after the date you submitted as the End Date for the Project. If your project end date changes please contact the Executive Director so the due date for the Final Grant Report can be adjusted.

We also ask that you promote our support of your project whenever possible. If you are printing posters or other promotional materials, please contact our office about ways to publicize the grant received from Community Foundation. For a logo suitable to use in your promotional materials, please contact our office.

We also ask that you provide photos of the project to us.

Why does the Foundation ask for photos of the project?

We are always looking for ways to tell our grantee stories. Please send high quality electronic files of photos such as .jpg or .tif files. E-mail electronic files to info@cfopc.org. The photo should show how the project is helping make our community a better place. Alternatively, let us know when it would be a good time for us to take photos, do videotaping, and/or interview people involved with the project.

What is the amount of the average grant?

There is a wide range in the size of grants awarded. Grants in previous years have ranged from $1,000 to $50,000. Applicants should request the amount actually needed to successfully complete the proposed project.

Are grants funded over multiple years?

Grant requests are generally funded for one year.

How long does it take once a proposal is submitted to go through the approval process and to receive funding?

The time from the submission of your application to receiving an approval is approximately 40 days. Once the grant is approved, it takes approximately 14 days after returning the appropriate forms to receive a check. Release of the check is triggered by returning the signed grant agreement.

Can I apply for a grant from a donor advised fund?

Donors that have established donor advised funds make grants to not-for-profit organizations based on their own areas of interest. Donors make grant recommendations to the Community Foundation Board for final approval. Donor advised funds do not accept applications. If you have a request for a project or program that Foundation staff members feel would be a good fit with a donor advised fund, we will communicate with the advisor of the fund.

Can you refer me to anyone else for funding?

If your proposal doesn’t fit the funding criteria for the Community Foundation grants program, Foundation staff may be able to suggest other funding sources.

If my organization recently received a grant from the Community Foundation, how long do I need to wait before submitting another grant request?

The Community Foundation generally awards only one grant to an organization per year. We recommend that not-for-profit organizations prioritize their funding needs.

Where do I submit my Final Report?

Your final grant report is assigned to you through the grant portal. Logon to your account to complete your final report.