Clinton County Foundation LEGACY Fund Grants

The LEGACY Fund, which stands for Local Endowment for Governments and Charities for Years, is a charitable initiative dedicated to enhancing the health, welfare, and safety of Clinton County, Ohio. It was established in 2019 by the Clinton County Board of Commissioners following the sale of Clinton Memorial Hospital, through which $10 million in proceeds were transferred to initiate the fund. The fund is administered by the Clinton County Foundation, which oversees investment and disbursement strategies to ensure long-term impact through sustainable, annual distributions. The Fund's mission is rooted in supporting transformative, project-based initiatives that generate long-lasting benefits for the community. Funding is awarded across a variety of focus areas including health, wellness, education, youth, and senior services. Emphasizing local strategies and visionary leadership, the LEGACY Fund encourages proposals that present innovative approaches to community challenges, especially those that directly improve the lives of Clinton County residents. Grant funding is available to a wide range of organizations. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, governmental agencies, and educational institutions. Organizations that are not directly one of these three must have a fiscal sponsor that is. All organizations must serve Clinton County, Ohio. Faith-based groups may apply if they partner with an eligible fiscal sponsor. The eligibility criteria are inclusive but strictly tied to geographic relevance and legal status to ensure responsible use of resources. The grant process involves a two-step application. First, prospective applicants submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the Clinton County Foundation’s grant portal, accessible via the Foundation's website. The LOI must summarize the proposed project and articulate how it addresses community needs and aligns with the Fund’s mission. The LOI is reviewed by the LEGACY Fund committee, which determines whether the applicant meets initial eligibility. If approved, the applicant is invited to submit a full proposal during the second stage. For the 2026 grant cycle, the LOI submission period begins on February 1, 2026, and closes on March 1, 2026. Applicants invited to the full proposal stage must submit their final applications by June 1, 2026. The committee responsible for evaluating submissions includes local leaders and fund advisors, such as Joe Hete, Michelle Morrison, Sue Pierson, Kerry Steed, and Kyle Wilson. Award decisions are based on the project's alignment with fund priorities and its potential for measurable community impact. While the LEGACY Fund is not rolling, it is a recurring program with an annual grant cycle. In the prior year, more than $298,000 was awarded to eleven nonprofits in the region. This illustrates the fund's capacity to significantly invest in diverse local initiatives and the importance it places on sustained community development. The Clinton County Foundation’s careful stewardship of the fund ensures that the LEGACY Fund will remain a vital resource for years to come.

Highlight alignment to the LEGACY Fund mission and community impact.