GRANT APPLICATION PROCESS–OVERVIEW
The Mecosta County Community Foundation (The Foundation) grants money generally from four main types of funds that it maintains with the administrative support of the Fremont Area Community Foundation.
One of the funds, the Community Needs Fund (Discretionary Funds), formally the General Endowed Fund, accepts applications for grants from qualified 501 (C) (3) organizations and from tax-supported organizations for its annual April 1 and October 1 Grant Cycles. The Foundation decides, following its grant guidelines, which grant requests to fund from the General Endowed Fund (Discretionary Fund) in a given Grant Cycle. The other three types of funds, Advised Funds, Designated Funds, and Organizational Endowment Funds, are funds that have been established for specific purposes and/or with specific individuals or groups designated to make decisions on how the funds will be used. These funds are not part of the April 1 and October 1 Grant Cycles and are not open for grant requests as part of the General Endowed Fund (Discretionary Funds) grant process.
General Endowed Fund (Discretionary Funds): This is the fund from which grants are made twice annually to successful grant applicants. The General Endowed Fund (Discretionary Funds) is an endowment holding a principal amount, and the net earnings on the principal amount are what are available for making grants of money. The Foundation Board exercises its discretion to make grants from this fund consistent with the Mecosta County Foundation Grant Guidelines. The grant guidelines are also linked under the FORMS page. In a typical year the Foundation grants between $ 18,000 and $ 22,000 from the General Endowed Fund (Discretionary Funds). Grant requests from this fund are initiated by applications from those representing 501(C) (3) organization or tax-supported organizations located in or having a significant impact in Mecosta County. Money available to grant from this fund may be requested in the Spring Grant Cycle by submitting the required materials by April 1 and in the Fall Grant Cycle by submitting the required materials by October 1.
Currently the General Endowed Funds (Discretionary Funds) are supplemented by funds from the Healthy Youth and Seniors Fund, linked also under the FORMS page, which are limited funds likely available for several more years to help improve the health and well-being of youth and seniors by, for example, supporting programming or services involving smoking cessation, nutrition, mental health, child care, or dental care. Money available to grant from the Healthy Youth and Seniors Fund is requested by including such a request as part of the request to the General Endowed Funds (Discretionary Funds) in that funds Spring (April 1 deadline) or Fall (October 1 deadline) Grant Cycle and noting that the request is also made to the Healthy Youth and Seniors Fund.
A request for a grant from the General Endowed Funds (Discretionary Funds) is made by completing and submitting the required application materials, which may be described in a summary fashion as the grant cover sheet, the grant budget form, several types of narratives and descriptions, a copy of a current IRS Letter confirming 501 (C)(3) status (if applicable), and a list of the requesting organization’s governing board members. The list of the grant application materials specifically required are on the Grant Guidelines form also linked under the FORMS page. Upon request, a copy of the required application materials and the list of the grant application materials specifically required will be provided by traditional mail or by e-mail.
Advised Funds: Advised Funds are funds established by individuals or groups who wish to retain full discretion as to what organizations or activities they will support at a given time, limited only by any particular purpose listed in the documents creating the endowment. These individuals or groups establish an endowment and make grants to the organizations and/or activities of their choice from the earnings on the endowments’ principal. In a typical year the Foundation grants approximately $18,000 from this fund. Money to grant from this fund may be requested at any time during the year by the designated individuals using the Grant Application for Advised Funds form also linked under the FORMS page. Upon request, a copy of the form will be provided by traditional mail or by e-mail.
Designated Funds: Designated Funds are funds established by individuals or groups for the purpose of supporting a particular organization and its activities. These individuals or groups establish an endowment and make grants to the organization from the earnings on the endowment’s principal. With a Designated Fund the organization benefitting from the grants is not the organization that established or controls the fund. In a typical year the Foundation grants approximately $18,000 from this fund. Money available to grant from this fund may be requested at any time during the year by the designated individuals using the Grant Request Form for Designated Funds form also linked under the FORMS page. Upon request, a copy of the form will be provided by traditional mail or by e-mail.
Organizational Endowment Funds: Organizational Endowment Funds are funds set up by an organization to grant money to its own organization and its activities. These organizations establish an endowment and make grants to its own organization and/or its activities from the earnings on the endowment’s principal. To re-iterate, with an Organizational Endowment Fund the organization benefitting from the grants is the organization that established or controls the fund. In a typical year the Foundation grants approximately $30,000 from this fund. Money available to grant from this fund may be requested at any time during the year by the designated individuals using the Grant Request Form for Organizational Endowment Funds form also linked under the FORMS page. Upon request, a copy of the form will be provided by traditional mail or by e-mail.