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The DeKalb County Community Foundation, Inc. is happy to support programs for DeKalb County, Indiana citizens that address today’s needs and prepare for tomorrow’s challenges.
In 2007, the foundation awarded more than $115,700 to 42 non-profit/charitable organizations serving DeKalb County from our Community Grantmaking Fund, Wyatt Memorial Endowment Fund, and Childcare Provider Fund.
Please note: Since the grant proposal deadline for June falls on Sunday, the foundation will accept proposals through 5:00pm on Monday, June 2nd.
Areas of Interest in Grantmaking
The foundation focuses on the following six areas of interest when granting from the Community Grantmaking Fund.
- Arts & Culture
- Community Development
- Education
- Environment
- Health & Human Services
- Youth Development
Grant Guidelines
Priority is given to proposals that:
- Directly relate to the applicant’s mission statement
- Benefit many citizens of DeKalb County, Indiana
- Are requested by organizations that have adequate qualifications
- Have identified a specific need
- Demonstrate commitment to the program/project (ie: in-kind services, matching funds)
- Have requested an amount that is in relation to the program/project’s benefits
- Have past success with the program/project
- Seek funding for proposed program/project from several sources
Grantmaking Policies – New! (Beginning in January 2008)
- Operating Expenses
- Once an organization receives a grant for operating expenses, they must wait two (2) years before submitting another grant proposal for operating expenses.
(Example: If an organization was funded in 2008, they can submit a proposal requesting operating expenses again in 2011).
- Repeat Funding
- Once an organization receives a grant for a program or project, they must wait two (2) years before submitting a grant proposal for the same program or project.
(Example: If an organization was funded in 2008, they can submit a proposal for the SAME program or project again in 2011).
How Do I Apply for a Grant?
- Determine if your program/project meets the Grant Guidelines. If unsure, the staff at the foundation can assist you.
- Discuss the details of your program/project with the foundation. This is optional, but priority may be given to those who seek assistance prior to submitting their proposal.
- Complete the Grant Proposal Form on the computer using the preset margins and font size. Handwritten proposals will not be accepted.
- Submit your proposal to the DeKalb County Community Foundation by the deadline.
- Provide additional documentation that may be requested to help clarify your proposal.
Grant Proposal Form
Grant proposals are accepted for those programs/projects that will be completed within one (1) year of receiving the grant. The Grant Proposal Form is in PDF format, which requires Adobe Reader software to complete. The software can be downloaded at www.adobe.com. If using Adobe Reader version 7.0 or newer, the proposal form can be saved to your computer. The proposal form needs to be filled out on the computer, signed and mailed to our office at P.O. Box 111, Auburn, IN 46706. Please note: You are not able to be submit the proposal form electronically.
Grant Writer’s Workshops
- April 22, 2008 (Tuesday) - 10:00 am & 4:00 pm
Eckhart Public Library – Close Community Room
- August 20, 2008 (Wednesday) - 10:00 am & 4:00 pm
Eckhart Public Library – Close Community Room
New and inexperienced grant seekers are encouraged to attend this 60-minute workshop to gain an understanding of the foundation’s grant process. This is a great opportunity to get basic grant writing advice, tips, and network with other community organizations. There is no charge for the workshop.
Workshops are typically scheduled 4-6 weeks prior to each proposal deadline. In order to accommodate different schedules, the foundation is offering the workshops at varied times. The same material will be covered in both the morning and afternoon sessions.
Contact Doreen Brown, Grants Program Manager, at dbrown@dekalbfoundation.org to register. Please include the session date and time you will be attending.
The Granting Process
The foundation staff will do an initial review of all proposals. The proposals are then forwarded to the Grant Committee and are evaluated against the Grant Guidelines. The Grant Committee is comprised of foundation board members and volunteers who are knowledgeable of the community. The Grant Committee makes their funding recommendations to the Board of Directors. Once final decisions are made by the foundation’s Board of Directors, notification letters will be sent to all applicants informing them of their results. This process takes approximately 2 months, so please plan accordingly to make sure the timeline fits within your program’s needs.
Previous Grants Awarded
Click here to view a list of recipients from the previous grant cycle.
Additional Grant Opportunities Available
Click on the following links for further information
- Childcare Provider Fund – DeKalb County Community Foundation is reviewing how this fund can best support the education of childcare providers. We will post new grant guidelines for the fund in late September..
Provides financial support for training of childcare providers. Providers can be associated with any of the following settings: non-profits, for-profits, licensed family childcare homes, non-licensed family childcare home, registered ministries, or childcare centers. A Reimbursement Request Form (for requests of $500 or less) can be submitted anytime, there’s no deadline! For requests over $500, please refer to our competitive grant cycle procedures and complete a Grant Proposal Form by the deadline. A CDA Incentive Request Form needs to be completed if you’ve reached one of the appropriate levels while obtaining your Child Development Associate Certification. Requests for CDA incentive level awards are accepted anytime, there’s no deadline!
- DeKalb’s VOICE – The foundation’s youth grantmaking advisory group that focuses on educational and significant needs.
Grant proposal deadlines: October 1st, January 1st, and March 1st.
- Immediate Response Fund – This newly created fund is intended to meet the needs that arise outside of the community foundation’s established grantmaking cycles. The need for grant funds must have arisen after the most recent proposal deadline for the Community Grantmaking Fund and the grant must be needed before the date that the next Community Grantmaking Fund grants are awarded.
In the event of a community disaster or catastrophe, the foundation will temporarily suspend its requirement for written grant proposals and make grant funds available to nonprofit organizations that meet the immediate needs of vulnerable residents (Examples: American Red Cross, Homeland Security, DeKalb Memorial Hospital, food pantries and shelter programs).
Final Grant Report
All grantees are required to submit a Final Grant Report to the foundation within one (1) year of the grant effective date (the date the foundation’s executive director countersigned the Grant Agreement form). This report allows the foundation to comply with federal IRS guidelines by stating how the grant money was allocated and how your organization has benefited from receiving the grant.
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