Impact Grants

Children riding bicycles at the Dirt School on a sunny day.

Impact Grants help organizations make lasting change in our community. These grants can help you increase your long-term impact, reach underserved populations, or work with other nonprofits to create transformative and sustainable 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. 

 
Your Project Must Meet At Least One of These 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 helps a pantry stock healthier options to impact the health of their clients.
  • Significantly increase an organization's ability to reach underserved populations rather than simply serve more people. For example, Impact Grants are not designed to increase the number of people using an existing program, but rather to help expand a successful program to have greater impact on 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 2025, you are not eligible to apply for an Impact Grant in 2026.
  • Impact Grants require a dollar-for-dollar cash match before we release payment. You don't need to have the matching funds when you apply, but you must have a clear plan for how you'll secure them.
  • The Community Foundation will consider leadership gifts early in the capital campaign process to help leverage other giving.

2026 Impact Grant Application Timeline

Preliminary Application: April 13 - May 13, 2026 (due at 5:00 p.m.)
The committee reviews preliminary applications and decides who to invite to submit a full application. We'll notify all preliminary applicants by mid-June.

Final Application: June 22 - July 22, 2026 (due at 5:00 p.m.) - by invitation only
The committee reviews final applications in early September. We'll notify applicants 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.

Preliminary Applications require the following attachments:

  • Statement of Revenue and Expenses for the past two fiscal years.
  • 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: Other materials that help our committee understand your work or project (flyers, brochures, social media links, etc.)

Final Applications require the following attachments:

  • If you're not a 501(c)3 nonprofit: a letter from your Fiscal Agent accepting all responsibility for administering this grant.
  • Roster of board or council members with their professional positions listed.
  • Project Budget worksheet (use our template). PLEASE NOTE: Impact Grants can't be used for operational expenses like rent, office supplies, or administration.
  • 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 partnerships. We strongly encourage letters from any partner 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)

The Foundation may also request your most recent financial audit during the review process.