Scioto Foundation Grant

The Scioto Foundation is a community foundation serving the people of the Scioto County area. Since 1975, the Foundation has awarded approximately $30 million in grants and distributions to local nonprofit organizations, schools, and local governments. Its grantmaking is intended to address community needs and benefit residents of the Scioto County area. The Foundation typically funds projects involving education, healthcare, community development, economic development, arts and culture, social services, and civic benefit. It looks favorably on projects that affect a broad segment of the area's population or serve residents whose needs are not being adequately addressed through other community resources. Grants are made only to organizations recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals, although funded programs may ultimately benefit individuals. Requests may come from existing community organizations as well as newly formed nonprofit groups. Unless suggested by the donor of a particular Foundation fund, grants normally are not made for routine operating needs, annual giving, budget deficits, or religious organizations. Religious organizations may, however, receive support for non-religious programs such as hunger centers, job training, or child care. Entertainment, lodging, and meal expenses are not funded, and the Foundation does not reimburse projects that have already been completed. The Foundation is especially interested in providing seed money for new and dynamic projects, including projects undertaken by existing organizations moving in new directions and projects of new organizations. Applicants should demonstrate that their projects have been planned in light of overall community needs and should avoid duplicating similar services already being provided by other organizations. The Foundation gives greater priority to requests seeking only a portion of the total project cost. The source does not establish a mandatory matching or cost-sharing percentage or amount. The Foundation generally prefers projects that take place within a one-year time frame. Applicants meeting the grantmaking criteria must complete an application form and provide a grant application transmittal form signed by the board chair and project applicant. Applicants must submit five copies plus one original of the full proposal in the required format, along with the organization's IRS tax-exempt letter, job descriptions for key project personnel, resumes for any consultants, current financial statements or audit reports, and the names of project collaborators and/or letters of support. Incomplete applications and fax copies are not accepted. The proposal also requires a project summary explaining project goals and organizational background addressing organizational history, previous successfully completed grant-funded projects or programs, experience with the target population, and links with similar groups. The project narrative must explain the community need being addressed, including baseline data if available; how the project will improve the community; project goals and objectives; action steps or activities; and expected short-term and long-term results. The implementation plan should state the project's duration and list dates, activities, the number of people served, and other key information. Applicants must explain how results will be evaluated, who will assess them, and what record-keeping methods will be used. They must also address continuation of the project after outside funding ends and plans for future funding or revenue. A project budget must be completed using the provided budget form, accompanied by a narrative explaining why the expenditures are necessary and how they support project goals. The Foundation considers grant applications at quarterly intervals. Five copies and one original of each grant request must reach the Foundation office by March 31, June 30, September 30, or December 31. The quarterly schedule is recurring, with additional deadlines following on December 31 and then March 31 and June 30 of the following year. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, pre-proposal, or other pre-application gating requirement is identified in the supplied material. Applicants are notified of the Governing Committee's decision as soon as possible following each quarterly meeting; no exact notification date is provided. Questions may be directed to the Scioto Foundation at 303 Chillicothe Street, P.O. 911, Portsmouth, OH 45662. The general contact email is info@thesciotofoundation.org, the telephone number is (740) 354-4612, and the fax number is (740) 354-1912. No individual grant contact is named in the supplied information. Applicants should ensure that the complete required package is submitted by the applicable quarterly deadline because incomplete applications and faxed copies will not be accepted.

Emphasize broad benefit to the Scioto County area or service to residents inadequately served by existing resources. Demonstrate that the project responds to overall community needs and does not duplicate similar services. New and dynamic projects and seed-money opportunities are especially favored. Requests seeking only a portion of total project cost receive greater priority. Plan for project continuation after outside funding ends and submit a complete original plus five copies by the applicable quarterly deadline.