Ohio Community Development Grants

The 2024 Environmental Stewardship Pillar - Innovation Grant aims to support innovative projects that address environmental challenges in Appalachian Ohio. The grant focuses on enhancing community engagement across energy, economics, environment, and health sectors, promoting the circular economy, and expanding local organizations' capacity to access larger funding pools. Projects should involve schools, nonprofits, businesses, and other community groups in sustainable initiatives that drive forward-thinking solutions for cleaner air, water, green energy adoption, and diesel emission reduction. At least $16,000 is available for awards. Eligible applicants include public and nonprofit organizations, as well as individuals or groups working with a fiscal sponsor. Applications must be submitted online by August 2, 2024, and additional required documents must be emailed to info@ffao.org by the same deadline. Grant decisions will be announced no later than September 30, 2024. For inquiries, applicants may contact Kelly Morman at kmorman@ffao.org or call 740-753-1111.

This funding opportunity supports Ohio-based government agencies, nonprofits, and research institutions in projects that protect and restore Lake Erie and its watershed, focusing on ecological health and sustainability.

This program provides financial support to small businesses in Lancaster for purchasing essential equipment to help create jobs and boost local economic growth.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based nonprofit projects that promote civic pride, historical education, environmental stewardship, and veteran assistance in areas served by Duke Energy, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in specific West Virginia and Ohio counties that provide programs in financial education, community development, support for teachers, services for seniors and veterans, and initiatives to combat food insecurity.

This program provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Cuyahoga County for tree planting and maintenance projects to improve urban tree canopies.

This funding program provides financial support for community-driven projects that promote innovation, sustainability, and development in areas near POET facilities across the United States.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Ohio that assist families affected by sickle cell disease through education, outreach, and resource development.

The Ingram-White Castle Foundation offers grants to combat hunger for knowledge, independence, and self-sufficiency in central Ohio. The Foundation's mission centers on empowering young people towards self-improvement and full participation in society, aligning its grant programs with values of physical, educational, emotional, and spiritual nourishment. This approach reflects a strategic priority of transforming lives through knowledge and enabling youth to realize their full potential, rooted in a theory of change that fostering self-sufficiency leads to a more engaged and empowered community. The target beneficiaries are primarily disadvantaged students and central Ohio nonprofit organizations serving them, as well as those addressing critical human service needs. The Foundation's impact goals include enhancing academic success for students, preparing them for the workforce, and strengthening educational institutions. By investing in these areas, the Foundation aims to yield substantial community benefits and promote cooperation among agencies, thereby addressing the core needs of those yearning for a better life. The Foundation prioritizes projects that encourage matching gifts or additional funding from other donors, demonstrate significant community benefit for the resources invested, and promote inter-agency cooperation without duplicating services. While the grant duration is generally one year, the emphasis is on sustainable impact and empowering individuals to help themselves. The Foundation generally avoids grants for religious purposes, budget deficits, conferences, or projects typically covered by public agencies, reinforcing its focus on targeted, impactful interventions within its defined scope. The expected outcomes include improved academic performance for disadvantaged students, enhanced workforce readiness, and stronger educational infrastructures. Measurable results would likely stem from the success of programs that align with these goals, demonstrating progress in areas like student achievement, employment rates among beneficiaries, and the overall capacity of supported educational and human service institutions. The Foundation's strategic priorities are deeply invested in the belief that providing a "helping hand to those who currently cannot help themselves" ultimately benefits all, and that stewardship in investment leads to significant and lasting impact for those seeking a better life.

The Community Development Corporation Grant Program, offered by the City of Akron, Ohio, is designed to partner with Community Development Corporations (CDCs) to invest in projects that foster population and tax revenue growth. This is achieved through the revitalization and repurposing of vacant, underutilized, blighted, or historic buildings, increased investment in place-based infrastructure, housing rehabilitation, and public services. The program's core mission aligns with promoting urban renewal and economic development within Akron's neighborhoods. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are Community Development Corporations (501(c)(3) nonprofits located within Akron, Ohio city limits) and, by extension, the residents and neighborhoods of Akron. The impact goals include creating new housing options, enabling business creation and attraction, and providing essential resources for Akron residents. The program prioritizes projects that utilize federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Funds to support investments, aiming to foster an environment conducive to sustainable growth and community well-being. The program focuses on several key areas. These include revitalizing and repurposing distressed properties, investing in infrastructure, improving housing, and delivering public services. Eligible organizations must demonstrate an appropriate use of funding in accordance with the CDBG purpose, hold a certificate of good standing with the State of Ohio, and be registered on SAM.gov with an active Unique Entity Identification Number. A crucial requirement is also the ability to provide documentation of at least three previous projects undertaken by the CDC within its footprint area, ensuring a track record of effective community development. Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased population and tax revenue growth, a reduction in vacant or blighted properties, an increase in new housing options, and the creation and attraction of businesses. While a specific "theory of change" or "foundation's strategic priorities" is not explicitly detailed as a separate entity, the City of Akron's strategic priority is clearly to utilize CDBG funds to stimulate local investment, enhance community infrastructure, and improve the quality of life for its residents. The overall goal is to foster an environment that attracts development and provides resources, thereby strengthening Akron's neighborhoods. The City of Akron has allocated a total of $500,000 for this grant program, with individual awards available up to $125,000 per applicant. The grant duration is one year, indicating a focus on projects with a relatively swift implementation and impact. This funding structure and duration suggest a strategy aimed at initiating and supporting tangible, short-to-medium-term development projects that contribute to the broader, long-term revitalization goals of the city.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations serving residents of Franklin County, Ohio, to enhance community services focused on public improvements, health equity, and community engagement.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan for innovative programs that improve community well-being, focusing on safety, family support, and youth development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Richland County, Ohio, to create group activities that help reduce social isolation and loneliness among seniors aged 60 and older.

The Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) announces $56 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to enhance Ohio's Developmental Disability Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). This one-time funding will support projects in areas such as support for individuals and families, workforce, innovative technology, youth with complex needs, and waiver modernization. Projects aim to improve community integration, independence, and quality of life for Ohioans with developmental disabilities.

This program provides tax credits to owners and long-term lessees of historically significant buildings in Ohio for substantial rehabilitation projects, promoting economic revitalization and community development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions in Ohio to implement projects aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities through enforcement, education, and public awareness initiatives.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Ohio counties with high rates of alcohol-related fatal crashes to establish task forces focused on reducing impaired driving through enforcement and public education initiatives.

The Rocky Brands Community Improvement Fund is seeking applications from 501c3 organizations and government agencies in specific Ohio counties for projects that align with their mission and values, address current or emerging needs, encourage cooperation, and can leverage additional funds, with a focus on areas such as children's welfare, hunger, education, senior citizens, health wellness, community development, and more.

This funding opportunity provides financial resources to local law enforcement agencies involved in drug task forces to enhance their collaboration with treatment and education providers in addressing the drug epidemic and promoting recovery strategies.

The Woodruff Foundation provides funding to tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, aiming to enhance behavioral health. This initiative supports programs across several focus areas, including treatment, education and prevention, coordination of resources in the community, research, and advocacy. Past funded programs have covered a wide range of services, such as bereavement support, integrated care, guardianship services, and recovery support from addiction and substance abuse. To qualify for funding, organizations must comply with specific eligibility criteria, including being tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, serving in one of the foundation's focus areas, operating in Cuyahoga County, and having submitted reports on any previous grants. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Winter opening/closing deadline: November 15th to December 15th