Shelby County Community Foundation Grant

The Shelby County Community Foundation Grant Application is administered by the Shelby County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Louisville. The Foundation serves as a permanent philanthropic resource dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of Shelby County. Its mission centers on addressing both current and future community needs through strategic grantmaking supported by charitable funds established by donors. This localized focus ensures that funding decisions directly benefit the Shelby County community and reflect donor intent alongside community priorities. The grant program seeks proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations that aim to improve the lives of individuals within Shelby County. For the 2026 cycle, the Foundation plans to distribute approximately 70000 dollars in total funding through the Shelby County Partnership Grants Fund and other donor-established funds. Historically, the Foundation awarded 29 grants in a prior cycle with an average award size of about 10000 dollars, indicating a competitive but accessible funding environment for organizations seeking moderate-scale project support. Grant funds are intended for projects that provide tangible community benefit within a one-year performance period. All awarded funds must be fully expended during this timeframe or will be forfeited. The Foundation encourages applicants to pursue diversified funding strategies and not rely on the Foundation as the sole funding source. While the Foundation retains discretion over award size, duration, and structure, it explicitly allows for challenge and matching grants. Capital projects are only eligible when supported by matching funds, reinforcing a shared investment model for infrastructure-related initiatives. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations that demonstrate 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and maintain a functional board of directors. Organizations must either be physically based in Shelby County or provide established services within the county. Certain types of funding requests are explicitly excluded, including those related to religious education, administrative expenses, and animal-serving organizations. These exclusions help ensure alignment with the Foundation’s priorities and funding guidelines. The application process requires submission of a completed grant application form by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on May 12, 2026. Applicants must provide organizational and contact information, eligibility confirmations, and supporting documentation such as a list of staff, board members, or advisory members. The application system is managed through an online form platform, and applicants are advised to retain access links if saving progress during completion. Applications are reviewed by the Advisory Board or a designated committee, which evaluates proposals based on their alignment with community needs and the Foundation’s mission. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed, the structured review process suggests consideration of organizational capacity, project impact, and feasibility. Grant awards are expected to be announced and distributed in August, providing a clear timeline from submission to funding. For applicant support, the Foundation provides direct contact points for both programmatic and technical inquiries. Questions about the application itself may be directed to Howard Griffith via email or phone, while system-related questions can be addressed to Caitlin McGuigan at the Community Foundation of Louisville. This dual-contact structure ensures applicants have access to assistance throughout the submission process. The program appears to operate on an annual cycle, with recurring opportunities for organizations serving Shelby County.

Avoid requesting full project funding; demonstrate additional funding sources and readiness for matching funds