Impact Grants

Impact Grants are meant to increase the long-term impact of an organization or program, increase the organization’s ability to reach under-served populations, or enable two or more nonprofits to work collaboratively to create transformative and sustainable community change.

Impact Grants are reserved for 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities that predominantly benefit residents of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties, Michigan. 

Impact Projects must meet at least one of the following Impact Criteria:

  • Significantly increase the long-term impact of an organization or program, not provide for ongoing operations (routine expenses such as ongoing programming, occupancy, administration, etc.) For example, Impact Grants will not purchase food for a pantry; however, we might purchase equipment that help a pantry stock healthier options to impact the health of their clients.
  • Significantly increase an organization’s ability to reach under-served populations, rather than simply serve more people. For example, Impact Grants are not designed to increase the number of people utilizing an existing program, but rather to help expand a successful program to have greater impact to a new, high-need population. For example, a successful drug rehab program for men could be duplicated to serve women.
  • Enable two or more nonprofits to work collaboratively to create transformative and sustainable community change. We welcome applications where two or more organizations are collaborating to implement a solution to a critical community issue.

Important to Know

  • The application process includes a Preliminary Application and, if invited by the committee, a Full Application.
  • Impact Grants are not awarded in consecutive years. If you received an Impact Grant in 2024, you are not eligible to apply for an Impact Grant in 2025.
  • Impact Grants require the grantee to secure a dollar-for-dollar cash match to the grant amount, prior to payment. The match does not need to be in-hand at the application stage, but your plan to obtain the match does need to be clear when applying. 
  • The Community Foundation will consider leadership gifts early in the capital campaign process to help leverage other giving.

Impact Grant Timeline:

Preliminary Application Period:  April 14 - May 14, 2025 (due at 5:00 p.m.). The Impact Grant committee reviews the preliminary applications and decides which organizations will be invited to submit a full application. Preliminary applicants will be notified in mid-June either way. 

Final Application period: June 23 - July 23, 2025 (due at 5:00 p.m.). Final applications will be reviewed by committee in early September, and applicants notified by late September. 

We strongly encourage you to submit well before the due date to ensure we can assist you if needed. We cannot accept applications after the deadline, even in the event of submission errors. 

Impact Grant Preliminary Applications require the following attachments:

  • A year-end Profit and Loss Statement for your most recent completed fiscal year, listing all sources of revenue and all expenses for the year.
  • Operating Budget for your current fiscal year, including all sources of projected revenue and expenses
  • A recent Financial Balance Sheet listing all assets and liabilities
  • Optional: Please upload any other materials (flyer, brochure, link to social media, etc.) that will help our committee understand the work you do; or materials that showcases your project.

Impact Grant Final Applications require the following attachments:

  • If your organization is not a 501(c)3 nonprofit, a letter of endorsement from your Fiscal Agent or Fiduciary, accepting all responsibility for administering this grant.
  • A recent Profit and Loss Statement for your current fiscal year, listing all sources of revenue and all expenses YTD. Please note that as part of the review process, the Foundation may also request your most recent audit.
  • Roster of board or council members - with their professional position.
  • Project Budget worksheet (please use our template.) PLEASE NOTE: An Impact Grant may not be used for Operational Expenses such as occupancy, office supplies, administration, etc.
  • Letters of Support: At least one, but no more than three, letters of support for your application. Letters should verify the community need for your project and confirm any planned collaborations. We strongly encourage letters from any partnering organizations listed on your application.  
  • If you are applying for a capital purchase or construction project, include up to three photos that may help the committee to understand the scope of the project. (Optional but helpful).

  • Provide a link to any online promotional materials or a video about your project. (Optional)

     

     

    SAMPLE IMPACT GRANT PRELIMINARY APPLICATION

     

    SAMPLE IMPACT FULL APPLICATION - By Invitation only

     

    IMPACT PROJECT BUDGET TEMPLATE