Dedicated Grant Program

The Dedicated Grant Program is administered by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, a regional philanthropic organization that supports charitable initiatives and community development efforts across Washtenaw County, Michigan. The foundation works to connect donors, nonprofits, and community leaders in order to address local needs through strategic grantmaking. This particular program reflects the foundation’s commitment to targeted funding through field of interest funds, each designed to serve a specific population or issue area within defined geographic boundaries. The purpose of the Dedicated Grant Program is to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations delivering services aligned with the mission of five distinct funds. These include initiatives that improve the quality of life for African Americans in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas, support veterans and aviation education or promote Catholic social justice values, enhance life in the Dexter community, expand access to music education for young people, and prevent domestic and dating violence. Each fund has its own priorities and geographic scope, but all are unified by a focus on strengthening community outcomes within Washtenaw County. For the 2026 cycle, a total of 79,000 dollars will be distributed across these funds through a competitive grantmaking process. While individual award amounts are not specified, funding is intended to support programmatic efforts that align closely with each fund’s stated purpose. Allowable uses generally include direct service delivery, educational programming, community engagement, and prevention initiatives. There is no explicit mention of matching requirements or restrictions on indirect costs, suggesting flexibility in how funds may be applied within the scope of eligible activities. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations operating within Washtenaw County and delivering services that align with one or more of the fund priorities. Each fund has specific geographic or population-based criteria, such as serving residents within the Dexter Community Schools boundaries or addressing the needs of African American communities in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. Programs must demonstrate a clear connection to the fund’s objectives and provide measurable community benefit. There is no indication that individuals or for-profit entities are eligible. The application process requires applicants to access the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation’s online application portal. Applicants are instructed to review program-specific materials, including a slide deck located within the portal’s eligibility quiz, which outlines detailed requirements and expectations. An optional information session is available via Zoom, with advance registration required by a specified deadline. Applicants must complete and submit their application through the portal by the stated deadline; late submissions are not accepted. The application window for this cycle is open as of May 21, 2026, with a final submission deadline of June 24, 2026 at 5 PM Eastern Time. The optional information session took place earlier in the cycle, and no additional pre-application requirements such as letters of intent are specified. While award notification timelines and performance periods are not detailed, the program appears to operate on an annual cycle, indicating recurring opportunities for future funding rounds. For assistance, applicants may contact the Community Investment Officer at the foundation via phone or email.