The Community Foundation does not fund: individuals, budget deficits / debt reduction, expenses incurred prior to grant proposal period, church buildings and grounds (exceptions may be given for daycare ministries), requests to support proselytizing (*), political party activities, scholarships for post-secondary education, policy/lobbying, food requests. (**)

(*) Organizations with religious affiliation are not excluded from making grant applications but the project or program must be nonsectarian. (**) There are more than 35 food pantries and hot meal sites in Elkhart County. As such, the Community Foundation responds to food requests by a voluntary means to our local food bank and food pantries as critical needs arise. If a food pantry or a hot meal site has a request that is a non-food related request, it is welcome to contact the Community Foundation about the submission.

The Community Foundation does not typically reconsider an application for a project that has been denied funding. We do encourage organizations to re-apply for funding for a different project or program that better aligns with the mission of the foundation. Organizations are encouraged to contact our office if their request is denied and they have questions.

Yes. We will entertain requests for full, partial and/or multi-year requests. Most requests are typically funded for one year projects; however multi-year requests are supported where the need is evident. We may also edit a request and make an offer of partial or matching funding at our discretion.

Yes, after reviewing all supplemental materials such as the guidelines, timelines and FAQ’s, if you still have questions, please contact the Community Foundation’s program office, 574-295-8761.

Organizations may speak to a member of our program staff regarding their project or program. However proposals must be submitted online for review and consideration.

Organizations interested in funding for capital campaign projects should apply for funding through our Community Investment Grants.

Yes, if you are submitting a request for funding for projects such as… roofing, computers, carpeting, furnace, A/C, etc., you must submit no less than two vendor quotes. Applications missing these quotes will not be considered for funding.

Yes, however we still require financial information from you which includes a current operating budget for your organization and a project budget.

• Requests that do not correspond with the Community Foundation’s mission, guidelines, priorities and restrictions.
• Project requests do not include a minimum of two vendor quotes.
• Overly ambitious monetary requests that far exceed our availability.
• Failure to complete a progress report after completion of the project or 1 year, whichever comes first.
• For organizations that have a home office outside the county, but provide services to Elkhart County residents the Board of Director’s listing does not include a representative from the community of Elkhart County.