Grants: Frequently Asked Questions

Grants are made to tax-exempt 501(c)3 organizations or the equivalent as defined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Public schools, governmental entities, colleges and universities, and religious organizations are also eligible to apply assuming the program has charitable intent. Prospective applicants are urged to contact the Foundation before preparing an application if there is a question concerning eligibility, as proof of eligibility must be provided to the Foundation before grants are considered.

The geographic focus of grant making is the Marion, Ohio area.

Marion Community Foundation does not award grants to individuals or for-profit organizations.

Each Foundation grant program has priority areas when determining funding for grant requests. Applicants are encouraged to understand the focus.

Community Grants
Annual community grant program to support Marion’s charities and collaborations.

TEACH Grants
Provides grants to K-12 classroom teachers or teams of teachers that foster and develop innovative and motivational programs, projects, events, and lessons.

Racial Equity & Justice Grants
Provides grants looking to improve racial equity and justice; specifically, programs advancing matters of fairness and economic and social justice with a critical focus on the systems that affect communities of color.

Overall, the Marion Community Foundation is improving the Marion community through philanthropy, leadership and civic engagement. Grants funds often support charities that are striving to advance this mission. Examples include a pilot project which can serve as a model of excellence in the community, a creative solution to a community need, a program encouraging volunteer involvement, collaborative efforts among nonprofit organizations in the community and will eliminate duplication of services, a program improving the quality of life, and a project promoting economic vitality in the community.

Certain projects and organizations are generally not eligible for funding, including but not limited to:

• Grants to individuals
• Projects where facilities or equipment of non-qualifying entities are improved or benefited
• Membership or annual drives
• Community services such as police, fire protection, EMS, water and sanitation, maintenance
• Standard school sponsored programs
• Recurring event sponsorships
• Projects/Programs that are restricted to members of a particular faith community or promote a specific religious doctrine
• Organizations that do not operate programs in Marion County, Ohio, or for the benefit of Marion County, Ohio residents
• Political campaigns

Marion Community Foundation offers several grant programs. The exact deadline is established with the specific program.

Community Grants
Annual community grant program to support Marion’s charities and collaborations. Applications accepted in June-July.

TEACH Grants
Provides grants to K-12 classroom teachers or teams of teachers that foster and develop innovative and motivational programs, projects, events, and lessons. Applications accepted in January-February

Racial Equity & Justice Grants
Provides grants looking to improve racial equity and justice; specifically, programs advancing matters of fairness and economic and social justice with a critical focus on the systems that affect communities of color. Applications accepted in January-February

Field of Interest
Designated Fund Grants Donors support specific charitable organizations that they identify to receive grants during their lifetime and beyond. No application process

Agency Fund
Grants Supporting Our Community Organizations. Local nonprofits, churches or schools receive grants established for the support of their charitable missions. The funds provide an annual grant to help meet future needs and demonstrate security and long-term financial planning. No application process

Endowed and Non-Endowed Donor Advised
General Grants Provides grants to critical and urgent community needs. These grants respond to opportunities and needs of local charities. It is not intended to duplicate the community grant process. Contact Foundation to discuss grant need.

Acorn, Legacy and Impact
Funds Future funds which will offer grants to the community through a future planned gift. Additionally, the Foundation’s board may award impact grants. No application process

Scholarship
Fund Grants Provides scholarship awards to assist students achieve their higher educational goals. Applications accepted in January-February.

During each grants program open application period, applicants can start, edit and submit an application through the Marion Community Foundation’s website – Apply for Grants page. All of our grant applications are filled out and submitted online. Grant applications can be saved and returned to at a later date if needed but must be submitted by the deadlines listed for the specific grant program.

There are no set parameters for the number of times an organization can apply. We suggest organizations submit requests for highly prioritized projects.

Yes. Foundation staff are willing to meet in-person, by phone or virtually with interested grant applicants. Applicants not familiar with the grantmaking process or applicants with new projects/programs are welcome to schedule a meeting to answer any questions you might have. Charities intending to request a grant over $25,000 are encouraged to meet with the Director of Programs as the Foundation runs a competitive grant program. Large grant requests may need advance notice of intent to be viable for funding.

Marion Community Foundation does not have pre-established funding levels. Organizations should request the amount actually needed to successfully complete the proposed project. Grant award amounts vary widely depending upon the program objectives and activities.

Grants are awarded for one year terms. If multi-year program funding is necessary, we strongly encourage you to discuss the grant proposal with the Marion Community Foundation staff in advance of the application.

Examples of previous grants and amounts awarded can be found by clicking here: 2024 Community Grant Awards

Community members serve on the various grants committees. Applications are reviewed confidentially and in their entirety. After full committee review, grant recommendations are made to Marion Community Foundation’s Board of Directors for consideration and approval of all grant awards.

Applicants will be notified of a successful grant award or non-funding. Typically, determinations are made two months after application submission. Grantees will be emailed details on how to accept the grant award, payment of grant funds, and required progress reports and a final grant report.

Grants are made to tax-exempt 501(c)3 organizations or the equivalent as defined by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Public schools, governmental entities, colleges and universities, and religious organizations are also eligible to apply assuming the program has charitable intent. Grants are not made to individuals.

Scholarships are awarded to students seeking to further their higher education. High school seniors and graduates of high school are applicants. Scholarship awards are paid directly to eligible educational institutions. In no instance is a scholarship award paid to the individual student. Eligible educational institutions are one (1) whose primary function is the presentation of formal instruction and (2) that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and (3) normally has a regularly enrolled body of students in attendance at the place where it carries on its educational activities.