Local Education Grants

The Highland County Community Fund, in partnership with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, is currently requesting grant applications to support projects and programs benefiting residents and communities within Highland County, Ohio. This grant program aligns with the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio's broader mission to advance opportunities and address pressing needs in the region. The fund's strategic priorities are rooted in fostering progress across five key Pillars of Prosperity: arts and culture, community and economic development, education, environmental stewardship, and health and human services. This framework reflects a theory of change that by investing in these critical areas, the foundation aims to unleash the potential within Highland County and improve the overall well-being of its population. The target beneficiaries for this grant program include individuals of all ages within Highland County who are leading efforts that create opportunities, meet urgent needs, and activate community potential. The program specifically welcomes applications from nonprofits (including 501(c) organizations), schools, and public organizations such as public school districts, higher education institutions, and government subdivisions. Additionally, groups without direct nonprofit or public status are eligible if they are working under the fiscal sponsorship of an eligible nonprofit or public entity, ensuring a broad reach for impactful initiatives. The primary focus of these grants is on supporting initiatives that contribute to the five Pillars of Prosperity. This includes projects that enhance cultural vibrancy, stimulate local economic growth, improve educational access and quality, promote sustainable environmental practices, and strengthen health and human services. Emphasis is placed on projects that demonstrate a clear potential to create meaningful opportunities and address identified needs within Highland County, aligning with the foundation's overarching goals for regional development and community empowerment. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in terms of quantifiable targets, the expected outcomes are centered around advancing opportunities, meeting pressing needs, and unleashing potential across the five pillar areas. Successful projects are anticipated to contribute to a stronger, more vibrant Highland County by fostering innovation, supporting community-led solutions, and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for its residents. The funding information indicates that requests should generally be between $500 and $5,000, with larger requests considered based on their potential for significant impact, suggesting that projects with demonstrable potential for broad positive change will be prioritized.

The Darke County Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Community Grants program, aligning with its mission to improve the health, education, or welfare of Darke County residents. This program is a cornerstone of the Foundation's strategic priorities, demonstrating a commitment to fostering a stronger community through direct support to local organizations. The grants aim to address diverse needs within Darke County, reflecting a broad theory of change that by investing in local initiatives, the overall quality of life for its residents will significantly improve. The target beneficiaries of these grants are the residents of Darke County, with a particular focus on those whose health, education, or welfare can be enhanced through the services provided by eligible organizations. The program prioritizes organizations that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or government agencies, ensuring that funds are directed to established entities capable of delivering impactful services. The overarching impact goal is to create a healthier, more educated, and generally improved living environment for all Darke County citizens. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly defined: supporting services that directly benefit the Darke County community. However, certain groups are ineligible, including organizations that limit services to members of one religious group or whose primary purpose is to influence legislation, political viewpoints, or promote political candidates. This selective approach ensures that grants are allocated to non-partisan, community-focused initiatives, maximizing their positive, broad-based impact. Expected outcomes include approximately 40 organizations receiving awards, with individual grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $3,000, though the potential exists for awards up to $10,000. Measurable results will likely be tracked through the number of organizations supported and the scope of services they provide, directly correlating to the improved welfare, education, and health outcomes for Darke County residents. The Foundation's theory of change posits that these investments will lead to tangible, positive shifts in community well-being, fostering a more resilient and vibrant Darke County.

The Arlington County Department of Human Services is offering a grant funding opportunity to support its Food Security Strategic Plan. This initiative aligns with the department's mission to address food insecurity and improve nutrition equity within Arlington County. The grant aims to support projects that enhance food access, promote outreach and education, build capacity among food assistance providers, and facilitate informed decision-making through data collection. The maximum grant award for a single project is $25,000, with funds to be spent by June 30, 2025. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are Arlington County residents experiencing food insecurity. The program targets various populations through strategies such as enhancing school-based supplemental food offerings, establishing new charitable food distributions in underserved neighborhoods, and increasing nutrition education opportunities for residents of all ages. The overarching impact goal is to eliminate, reduce, and prevent disparities in food security, ensuring that all those in need receive adequate support. The grant prioritizes projects that address at least one of five key strategies outlined in the Strategic Plan: Systemic Change, Food Access, Outreach & Education, Capacity Building, and Informed Decision Making. Specific focuses include improving nutrition equity, increasing food rescue and redistribution, promoting food assistance resources like SNAP, developing training materials for staff and volunteers, and collecting data on usage trends and services. Eligible organizations include IRS-designated 501c3 nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and public schools or universities that serve Arlington residents. Expected outcomes include improved access to nutritious food for Arlington residents, increased awareness and enrollment in food assistance programs, enhanced operational capacity for food pantries and meal programs, and better-informed decision-making based on collected data. Measurable results could include an increase in the number of residents served, the quantity of food distributed, the number of individuals participating in nutrition education, and the implementation of new or improved food security policies and practices. The grant period is from October 2024 through June 30, 2025, with funding awards announced in September 2024.

This program empowers high school students in Black Hawk County to distribute funds to nonprofit organizations, fostering youth philanthropy and community engagement.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations in Oregon and Washington to create and expand workforce programs for individuals referred from shelters, helping those who have experienced homelessness gain employment and essential skills.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Fairfield County to help them address community needs and enhance their impact on local residents.

This funding opportunity supports educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations in Hawaiʻi to implement projects that improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy, and enhance access to clean energy, particularly for disadvantaged communities.

This grant provides multi-year funding to nonprofit organizations that deliver gender-specific programs and services aimed at improving the lives of at-risk women and girls in Essex County, Massachusetts.

The Local Arts Program (LAP) Grant, administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission (SCC&HC), aims to support local arts development within Somerset County, New Jersey. This program is an initiative of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA) and is designed to channel funds to officially designated county arts agencies, with the SCC&HC serving as that agency for Somerset County. The grant's mission aligns with fostering public participation in the arts and increasing accessibility to artistic programs and services for Somerset County residents. The target beneficiaries are Somerset County-based non-profit organizations incorporated in New Jersey and designated tax-exempt (501(c)3 or (c)4), as well as Somerset County-based governmental agencies or commissions under a municipality or township. The primary impact goal is to enhance the local arts landscape by enabling organizations to offer programs that benefit residents and to improve the management of local arts organizations. The program prioritizes organizations that provide programs or services that increase access to the Arts, expand upon creative placemaking initiatives, or seek to improve the management of local arts organizations. Eligibility also requires that the proposed arts program or project takes place within Somerset County and directly benefits its residents. Programs within educational or religious institutions are generally ineligible unless they are after-school programs that are broadly advertised, open, and welcoming to the general public. Expected outcomes include a more vibrant and accessible arts community in Somerset County, increased public participation in various artistic endeavors, and strengthened local arts organizations through improved management and program delivery. Grant applications are evaluated by an independent peer panel, ensuring a competitive and merit-based selection process. Recommendations for funding are then submitted to the SCC&HC for final approval, with grants authorized by resolution with the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners, reinforcing accountability and local oversight.

This grant provides funding to public and nonprofit-private accredited Pre-K through grade 12 schools in Anne Arundel County to support arts integration into their educational programs through performances, assemblies, and artist residencies.

The Yolo Voter Education Grant, funded by the Walter & Evelyn Haas Fund and Yolo County and administered by the Yolo Community Foundation, aims to increase local understanding of how to vote among voters from low-turnout precincts and demographic groups with a history of lower turnout. This initiative, piloted in advance of the 2024 primary elections, is being re-launched for the 2024 general elections. The program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering civic engagement and addressing disparities in voter participation, thereby strengthening democratic processes within Yolo County. The grant targets voters in geographic priority areas characterized by lower voter turnout in recent elections, as well as specific demographic priority communities. These demographic groups include Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and young voters. The primary impact goal is to empower these communities through enhanced voter education, leading to increased and more informed participation in elections. By focusing on these specific groups, the program seeks to address historical inequities in civic engagement and build a more representative electorate. Key priorities and focuses for this grant include delivering effective voter education messaging and reaching a broad spectrum of the identified priority communities. The total grantmaking pool is $75,000, with individual grant requests ranging up to $10,000, or up to $15,000 for organizations conducting outreach in multiple cities/regions within Yolo County. Eligibility requires applicants to be 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations (or fiscally sponsored by one) with demonstrated expertise in working with the target geographic and/or demographic communities, and extensive experience in Yolo County. It is crucial to note that voter registration activities are explicitly excluded from funding under this grant. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the anticipated effectiveness and reach of the voter education messaging. Proposals will be evaluated on these factors, as well as the applicant’s demonstrated capacity to deliver the messaging effectively. While specific quantitative metrics for increased voter understanding or turnout are not explicitly detailed in the description, the program's success will implicitly be measured by the breadth and depth of outreach to priority communities and the quality of the educational programs implemented between early August and early November 2024. The foundation's strategic priority is to develop a portfolio of grantees that collectively reach all priority communities, reflecting a theory of change that effective, targeted voter education will directly lead to more informed and engaged citizens.

This program provides flexible funding to local governments to improve housing, infrastructure, and economic opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals in their communities.

The Springfield Foundation's Competitive Grant Program aims to support the entire Clark County community through six focus areas: Arts & Culture, Civic Affairs, Education, Environment, Conservation & Animal Welfare, Health, and Human Services. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to foster a community with strong cultural vitality, engaged citizens, improved environmental awareness, quality education, better health outcomes, and a strong safety net for human needs. The foundation emphasizes a holistic approach, addressing various facets of community well-being and growth. The program targets a wide range of beneficiaries, including individuals of all ages experiencing art and culture, Clark County citizens for civic engagement, residents for environmental appreciation, children for early education and college readiness, individuals at risk of unintended pregnancies and STIs, those with mental health issues or chronic diseases, and families/individuals needing human services. The impact goals are to increase diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improve civic knowledge and participation, increase environmental awareness and pet welfare, boost kindergarten readiness and college/career preparedness, improve reproductive and mental health, better manage chronic diseases, and achieve financial stability and positive outcomes for all people, especially youth and seniors. The foundation prioritizes increasing opportunities for artists and audiences, educating and engaging active citizens, fostering environmental appreciation and reducing homeless pets, increasing enrollment in early childhood programs and post-secondary preparation, impacting community health by addressing unintended pregnancies and STIs, improving mental health and chronic disease management, and assisting families and individuals with emergency needs, family breakdown prevention, economic self-sufficiency, and independent living. A key strategic priority is also promoting positive outcomes for all people, with specific attention to youth and seniors. The expected outcomes and measurable results include increased diversity and attendance at arts and culture events, improved civic knowledge and participation, increased citizen participation in environmental activities, a decrease in homeless pets, more children enrolling in early childhood programs, increased parental involvement in education, more students in post-secondary preparation, improved mental health outcomes, decreased incidence of unintended pregnancies and STIs, better management of chronic diseases, and increased financial independence and overall quality of life for individuals and families. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in these diverse focus areas, they can create a more vibrant, engaged, educated, healthy, and supportive community for all residents of Clark County.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government entities that aim to improve the quality of life in Butler County, Iowa, through projects in areas such as arts, education, health, and community betterment.

Howard County’s Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) Grants aim to foster youth activities and engagement within Howard County by supporting free, accessible, and supportive programming developed by nonprofit and community organizations. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to empower community organizations with resources to create impactful programs for young people, particularly during non-school hours. The grant's strategic priority is to enhance youth well-being and development through structured engagement, reflecting a theory of change that posits increased access to supportive out-of-school programs leads to improved social-emotional learning, mental health, and overall youth development. The primary target beneficiaries of the YEP! Grants are young people in Howard County. The program's impact goals include providing community organizations with the means to develop and expand programs that focus on social-emotional learning, mental health and wellness, and general activities for youth. By offering these programs outside of traditional school hours, the grants seek to address critical periods when young people may most benefit from engagement and support, thereby contributing to their holistic development and reducing potential negative outcomes associated with unstructured free time. The grants prioritize programming that occurs at least monthly over a 12-month period, engaging youth during weekends, after-school hours, and the summer. A key focus is on ensuring programs are either free or low-cost, with proposals needing to demonstrate how cost barriers are minimized for participants. Additionally, proposals are encouraged to leverage partnerships with other community organizations in Howard County, fostering a collaborative approach to youth development and maximizing resource utilization across the community. Expected outcomes include an increase in the number of young people served by engaging activities, a broader geographic impact of programs within Howard County, and successful engagement of youth across various age groups. Grant recipients are required to track performance data, including the number of young people served, geographic reach, and age of youth served, and submit quarterly reports to the Office of the County Executive. This rigorous reporting mechanism ensures accountability and provides measurable results, allowing the Howard County Government to assess the effectiveness of the YEP! grants in achieving their objectives and continually refine their strategic approach to youth engagement.

Will County has allocated $225,000 in grant dollars to support the important work of early child care providers in Will County. Child care providers pursue grant funding for educational materials, developmental support services, and/or improvements to physical space and technology. The “Elevate Will County – Child Care Provider Grant” represents a key priority for Will County: Supporting and empowering early childhood development throughout the county. The grant is funded in the FY2024 budget, utilizing allocated dollars from the State of Illinois Cannabis Sales Tax. Will County is partnering with Birth to Five Illinois to administer the grant. Grant awards will range from $2,000 to $10,000. Providers can submit multiple applications for award through the grant. Child Care providers have until May 22, 2024 to apply! Only DCFS Licensed Child Care providers within Will County are eligible. A virtual technical assistance workshop will be held on April 24, 2024 at 10:00 AM.

This program provides up to $5,000 to small, independently owned businesses in Arcadia, California, to help cover costs associated with permits for opening, expanding, or improving their commercial spaces.

This funding opportunity supports Anne Arundel County Public School clubs and youth organizations in implementing peer-led education programs focused on preventing substance misuse among youth.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Napa County that focus on wildlife conservation, education, and habitat improvement projects, particularly those benefiting school-aged children.

The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute (ICJI) Traffic Safety Division (TSD) is offering the Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP) Grant, a funding initiative designed to reduce fatalities and severe injuries on Indiana's roads. This grant aligns with the ICJI's mission to enhance public safety by supporting projects that address critical areas of traffic safety. The program provides financial assistance to state agencies, units of local government, and nonprofits, enabling them to implement evidence-based strategies that lead to tangible improvements in traffic safety across the state. The TSIP Grant targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including various state and local government entities, universities, colleges, coalitions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. The primary impact goal is to significantly reduce injuries and fatalities resulting from traffic incidents in Indiana. This is achieved by funding projects that address a diverse set of priority areas, all aimed at fostering safer driving environments and behaviors. The grant prioritizes projects that focus on several key areas. These include reducing injuries and fatalities from excessive speed, promoting the proper use of occupant protection devices, mitigating impaired driving, preventing crashes involving motor vehicles and motorcycles, and reducing school bus crashes. Furthermore, the program emphasizes preventing crashes from unsafe driving behavior, improving law enforcement services related to traffic safety, enhancing driver performance, and improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. Other critical areas of focus include improving traffic records, crash investigations, roadside safety for emergency vehicles, and teen driver programs. Expected outcomes of the TSIP Grant include a measurable decrease in traffic-related injuries and fatalities throughout Indiana. By supporting initiatives in the identified priority areas, the program aims to create safer roads, promote responsible driving, and enhance the overall effectiveness of traffic safety measures. The requirement for grant recipients to comply with reporting standards, including submitting quarterly performance measures, ensures accountability and allows for the tracking of measurable results, demonstrating the program's impact in achieving its safety objectives.