City of Lawrenceburg Community Grant Program

Organizations eligible for grants from the Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF) include those that are tax-exempt under IRC section 501(c)(3) or other IRS-recognized 501(c) statuses. If an organization is not a 501(c)(3), the grant request must serve a charitable purpose as defined by the IRS. The organization must also benefit the residents of Dearborn County and have responsible fiscal management and accounting procedures in place.

Location: The Dearborn Community Foundation grant is available to organizations that serve the residents of Dearborn County, Indiana. This includes organizations based in or providing direct benefits to the community within Dearborn County.

Project Scope: The project scope for the Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF) grant should align with the following guidelines:

• Charitable Purpose: Projects must serve a clear charitable purpose, benefiting residents of Dearborn County.
• Community Investment: Projects should have a lasting, positive impact on the community.
• Appropriate Funding: The project should be suitable for grant funding, and other funding sources should be explored if applicable.
• Sustainability: Projects should demonstrate potential to continue beyond the Foundation’s funding.
• No Property Improvements: Grants cannot be used for property improvements to land not owned by the applying organization.

Specific exclusions include funding for ongoing programs, travel expenses, political purposes, and debt reduction.

The Dearborn Community Foundation grant provides funding in two phases:

• Phase I: Grants for requests of $5,000 or less. A total of $100,000 is allocated for Phase I, and applications are considered as long as funds are available.

• Phase II: Grants for requests between $5,001 and $100,000. Applications are accepted as long as funds are available, with a maximum award of $100,000 per organization per calendar year for both phases combined.

The grant amount awarded depends on the phase and specific project needs.

The Dearborn Community Foundation grant has several funding restrictions:

• No Grants to Individuals: Except for educational scholarships paid directly to educational institutions.
• Not for Endowment Creation: Unless part of a matching program.
• No Funding for Travel Expenses: Grants cannot cover travel costs.
• Ongoing Programs: Grants are not for sustaining ongoing programs or projects.
• Salaries/Contracts: Cannot be used to fund salaried or contracted positions.
• Political or Sectarian Religious Purposes: Grants cannot support political parties, campaigns, or sectarian religious purposes (though religious organizations may apply for public-benefit programs).
• Debt Reduction: Grants will not cover organizational debt.
• Property Improvements: Grants cannot fund improvements to property not owned by the organization applying.
• Pre-Commitment Costs: Cannot fund programs or expenses committed to prior to the grant award date.

Completed Grant Application: A formal request including project details.

Project Description: Clear explanation of the project's purpose, goals, and expected outcomes.

Eligibility Information: Proof of tax-exempt status (501(c)(3) or other IRS recognition) or charitable purpose.

Budget: A detailed project budget outlining how funds will be used.

Fiscal Agent and Accounting Procedures: Documentation showing the organization has responsible fiscal management.

Letter from Schools Endowment Corporation/Education Foundation: If applying for school-related funding, a letter of decision from the respective Endowment Corporation is required.

Other Supporting Documents: Additional information as requested by DCF, which may include financial statements, proof of need, and other project details.

Applicants are encouraged to consult DCF before submitting to ensure eligibility and application completeness.

The deadlines for the Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF) grant application are as follows:

Phase I (Grant requests up to $5,000):

• early February
• early June
• early October

Phase II (Grant requests from $5,001 to $100,000):

• early March
• early June
• early September

Applications due by 4:00 p.m. and are considered as long as funds are available, so early submission is recommended.

The Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF) has the following reporting requirements for grant recipients:

• Final Grant Report: Grantees must submit a final report within 30 days of completing the project or by the final report date specified in the grant agreement.

• Content of the Final Report: The final report should include an overview of the project’s outcomes, a financial summary of how the grant funds were spent, and any other details requested by DCF.

• Non-Compliance: Failure to submit the final report may affect eligibility for future funding from the Foundation.

These reports help ensure accountability and demonstrate the success and impact of the funded projects.

The evaluation criteria for the Dearborn Community Foundation (DCF) grant include the following considerations:

• Established Need: Is there a clear, demonstrated need for the project?
• Suitability of Funding: Is the project appropriate for grant funding, or are there other more suitable funding sources?
• Adequate Resources: Does the organization have the resources to effectively address the need?
• Project Success Potential: Does the grant application contain the necessary information and capacity to ensure project success?
• Financial Responsibility: Does the organization have adequate accounting and financial policies?
• Additional Funding: Is the organization seeking funding from other sources to support the project?
• Sustainability: Does the project have the potential to continue or sustain itself beyond the Foundation’s funding?

These criteria ensure that grant funds are invested in projects that are well-planned, impactful, and financially accountable.