Grant Request Guidelines

Grant Requirements. The Washington County Community Foundation (the Foundation) has established the following requirements for grants.  Please read carefully as grants that do not meet our requirements or are missing documentation will not be considered.  If you have any questions regarding these requirements, please contact us before submitting your application.

  1. Applications will only be accepted from the following types of organizations: (i) organizations officially recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; (ii) government entities requesting funds for public or charitable purposes; or (iii) churches or synagogues providing social services to the community.
  2. The purpose of the grant request must benefit the residents of Washington County, or some portion thereof.
  3. The Foundation does not finance annual appeals or payments of regular, ongoing operational expenses for applicant organizations (for example: rent, payroll, utilities, marketing, professional services, office supplies and software, insurance, routine repairs and maintenance, and other recurring business costs).
  4. The Foundation will not purchase supplies or provide general funds for annually recurring events or programs. However, the Foundation will consider grants needed to assist with the first-year start-up costs of new programs that will benefit the community.
  5. The Foundation will not fund scholarships through the grant program.
  6. The Foundation will not fund grant requests that are directly or indirectly for the purpose of participating in or intervening in any political campaign or that attempt to influence legislation.
  7. Grant applications from religious organizations will be considered only if the purpose of the grant relates to education, social services, civic activities, arts and culture, and/or health and recreation and meet the following additional guidelines: the underlying objective of the grant request (i) is open to or benefits a broad segment of the community without regard to religious affiliation, (ii) does not have as its primary purpose the advancement or promotion of a particular religious belief, and (iii) does not actively attempt to convert the participants to the organization’s religious belief.
  8. If the grant benefits another organization (i.e.: a parents’ organization making a purchase for the school system), the grant application must include a letter or other documentation evidencing that organization’s support of the project and the grant application.
  9. If the grant involves public property projects (community buildings, public parks, etc.), the grant application must include a letter in of support of the project and grant application from the appropriate governmental body whose property is involved (i.e.: city administrator or city council, school administrator or school board, etc.).
  10. Grant funds may not be diverted from their original purpose by the grant recipient. If, after receipt of a grant from the Foundation, the grant recipient needs to modify or change the intended use of the funds, the grant recipient must formally request approval of such change in writing from the Foundation prior to the expenditure of the grant funds, and if the Foundation does not approve of the change and the funds cannot be used for their original purpose then the funds must be returned to the Foundation.
  11. Grant funds shall be expended within the calendar year of receipt of the grant, unless otherwise specified at the time of the grant allocation. If an extension of time is necessary due to unforeseen circumstances, the grant recipient must formally request approval of such extension in writing from the Foundation, and if the Foundation does not approve the extension, then the funds must be returned to the Foundation.

Additional Guidelines.  The Foundation considers the following additional guidelines when considering grant requests:

  1. The Foundation prefers to fund grant requests for projects that will provide an ongoing benefit to the community.
  2. The Foundation looks favorably on grant requests with existing financial support from the community.
  3. Any grant request exceeding $10,000 should demonstrate that a portion of the total funds needed to complete the proposed project have already been raised or formally committed to the project. This requirement is intended to demonstrate financial readiness and a commitment to the successful completion of the project.
  4. Whenever possible, grant-funded projects should include appropriate recognition of the Foundation to acknowledge its financial support and contribution to the project.