Competitive Grant Program

The Community Foundation of Madison and Jefferson County administers a competitive grant program designed to support programs and projects that directly benefit residents of Jefferson County, Indiana. Established in 1991, the foundation operates as a philanthropic entity that channels donor contributions into impactful community initiatives. Its grantmaking is overseen by a Board of Directors and a Grants Committee, ensuring that all funding aligns with donor intent and contributes to measurable community improvement across sectors such as education, health, safety, youth development, and basic needs. The competitive grant cycle specifically draws from flexible community funds and field-of-interest funds, allowing the foundation to allocate resources toward a broad range of charitable activities. Funding is intended primarily for one-time projects, pilot programs, capital needs, and initiatives that demonstrate strong community impact per dollar spent. Projects that address root causes of local issues, foster collaboration, and leverage volunteer support are given higher priority. Conversely, requests for general operating expenses, routine equipment purchases, or projects already underway prior to application submission are less competitive. Eligible applicants are limited to nonprofit organizations and government entities that meet federal tax requirements, including 501(c)(3) charities and 509(a) agencies. All funded activities must benefit residents of Jefferson County. The foundation explicitly prohibits funding for political campaigns, sectarian religious purposes, individual applicants, debt reduction, or endowment creation. Religious organizations may apply only for non-sectarian community programs. Applicants must also demonstrate sound financial management and may be required to submit audited financial statements. The application process is conducted entirely online through a grant management system. Applicants must create an account, access the application via their dashboard, and complete all required sections before submission. The system allows applicants to save progress and return as needed, but no edits are permitted after the deadline. Applications must be submitted by noon on the specified closing date, and late or incomplete submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. The competitive grant cycle opens annually on June 1 and typically closes in early August. For the 2026 cycle, applications are accepted from June 1 through August 4 at noon. The program operates on a recurring annual basis, and applicants who are unsuccessful in a given cycle may not reapply for the same project in the following year unless explicitly encouraged by the foundation. Grant recipients are required to submit final programmatic and financial reports, and compliance with reporting requirements influences eligibility for future funding. All communication regarding the grant must be directed to designated foundation staff, specifically Kelly Miller or Bill Barnes. Direct contact with board or committee members is strictly prohibited to maintain fairness and transparency in the review process. The foundation emphasizes ethical conduct, accurate budgeting, and accountability in the use of awarded funds, including specific rules governing the reallocation of unused grant funds. Overall, the program reflects a structured, community-focused funding opportunity aimed at maximizing local impact through strategic philanthropy.

Focus on high-impact, one-time projects that address root causes and demonstrate strong community benefit per dollar; ensure accurate budgeting and compliance with reporting requirements