Program: A program is defined as an effort intended to improve the understanding of a topic(s) or issue(s) of importance to the health, happiness, and/or well-being of our community, or an ongoing, interactive effort to address a target community need(s) by providing individuals with access to services that will improve their health, happiness, and well-being.

Program proposal that we encourage:

• Applications for seed money for new programs or new dimensions to existing ones;
• Applications for transitional funds for programs that have recently lost a secure source of funding and have a proven record of meeting community needs.
• Collaborative efforts among multiple agencies to address high priority community needs

Project: A project is defined as an effort to advance the effectiveness and/or operational growth of an applicant agency, or a program or initiative sponsored by the application through the acquisition of material and human resources and technology.

Project proposals that we encourage

• Proposals for resources to significantly enhance an agency’s ability to operate effectively or improve services;
• Proposals that are integral to the success of new or existing program;
• Proposals for resources associated with new or newly renovated facilities.

Evaluation will be based on whether the program/project…

• Is likely to positively affect a high-priority, high impact community need
• Effectively benefit an agency’s clients • Adequately address sustainability beyond the Foundation’s grant
• Has a clearly defined strategy to assess goals and outcomes
• Provides an adequate realistic strategy to assess goals and outcomes • Provides an adequate, realistic timeline for completion
• Documents reasonable efforts to obtain other sources of funding
• Collaboration to reduce program costs • Includes an investment of labor and/or funds from the applicant agency
• Will be administered by an agency that has successfully completed past program
• Has social benefits that are proportional to its expenses

Not Normally funded Through Discretionary Grants:

• Multiple projects from an organization during the same year
• Advertising, public relations, or media events or expense
• Individual conferences and trips
• Agencies with taxing authority
• Public, private, or charter schools (See Grant Programs – Education)
• Scholarships (See Scholarships)
• Umbrella agencies for the purpose of re-granting
• Endowments
• Applications that have been denied in a previous grant cycle unless recommended by the Board’s Grants Committee
• Sectarian religious agencies unless event or activity is open to other denominations
• Deficit financing
• Routine operating expenses
• Political lobbying efforts or campaigns
• Organizations located outside Wayne County

Grant Application General

Generally, in order for grants to be reviewed in a timely fashion the following quarterly due dates should be followed: Feb 1- May 1- Aug 1 and Nov 1.

Five –Year Grant Recipient List