1. Do I need to have a 501(c)(3) designation to apply for funding? 

Yes, unless you are a public agency (school, government, etc.) 

 

2. Who is eligible for a grant? 

501(c)(3) organizations and public agencies who serve the tri-county area of Grundy, Marion, and Franklin. 

 

3. Do you fund new organizations? 

Yes, as long as the organization is eligible.

​

4. My organization has received a grant from the Community Fund before. Is there a limit to how many we can receive?

There is no limit on how many grants an organization may receive. Previously funded organizations may apply again, but only for new projects, programs, or program enhancements. Grants will not be awarded to organizations for the purpose of repeating or maintaining previously funded projects or programs. But an organization that receives a grant must complete the expenditure of the grant, submit a final report, and have the report approved by the Grants Committee before another grant application may be submitted. 

 

5. Do you make multi-year grants? 

No, previously funded organizations may apply again in a subsequent grant cycle, but only for new projects, programs, or program enhancements. Grants will not be awarded to organizations for the purpose of repeating or maintaining previously funded projects or programs. 

 

6. What sorts of programs do you support? 

South Cumberland Community Fund has been established to promote progress in the region. Therefore priority will be given to applicants that propose innovations that help solve community problems or build on community strengths. 

 

7. Are faith-based programs eligible for funding? 

A grant to a church or religious organization may be used only for initiatives that serve one of our grant priorities in the broader community. They may not be used for projects that serve only the membership of the church or the expansion of its membership or simply to promote its religious teachings. They may not be used to build or rehabilitate church buildings. 

 

8. Can I apply for more than one project? 

An organization may submit only one application per grant cycle. 

​

9. What will SCCF not​ fund (i.e. What about permanent staff)? 

Grants may not be used for lobbying in favor of or against specific legislation. However, grants may be used for advocacy regarding issues. (For example, organizations may not use grants to influence county commissioners to vote one way or another on a school system budget; however, they can promote nonpartisan analysis that supports the need for greater public investment in education.) Grants may not be used to add new permanent staff to the organization; however, personnel costs for the specific project being proposed may be included.. 

 

10. How should I send in my application? 

The SCCF application is available on www.southcumberlandcommunityfund.org under the grants program tab throughout the grants process. 

 

11. How are grant recipients chosen? 

A grant committee, with members from the board and the broader community, will deliberate and hold interviews, give their recommendations to the Fund’s board, and the board will make their final decision and announcement. Whether or not an applicant has been chosen, they will hear from us on the status of their application. 

​

12. What if my grant has a match that I have to meet, or the grant funds a part of my grant request rather than the whole? 

An organization whose project costs more than the amount awarded by the Community Fund will have one year to raise the additional funds required. In some cases, grantees may ask for a no-cost extension but should show plans for completing the project as a condition of having the extension granted. 

​

13. If awarded a grant, will I have to complete it within a year?

Grant-funded projects do not have to be completed within a year. However, an organization that receives a grant must complete the expenditure of the grant, submit a final report, and have the report approved by the Grants Committee before another grant application may be submitted. 

​

14. Will I need to submit reports if I receive a grant?  

Organizations that receive grants will be asked to submit interim reports on their projects every six months until the grant funds have been expended, at which time a final report is required. 

 

15. Can I add unrelated work together to get to the $10,000 grant limit.

No. Each application should be for a specific project with justified expenditures and a detailed project budget. The committee reserves the right to nominate you for a grant, but for a different amount than you request. 

 

16. If my application is declined, can I submit another application next year?

Yes, and we highly encourage it!

 

17. What kinds of projects are best suited for the small grants programs?

The goal of the small grants program is to build the capacity of organizations. For that reason, we prefer projects that focus on organizational development. Host fees for AmeriCorps volunteers are a good choice for a small grant application. Also professional assistance for strategic planning, board development, website development, and the like are good choices. We will not be enthusiastic about requests that either do not build capacity or represent projects that could wait until the next regular grant round.