Marshall Community Foundation (Impact Grant)

Organizational Type: Non-profit, tax-exempt organizations, schools, churches (for non-sectarian purposes), cities and townships in the greater Marshall area and Calhoun County

Location: City of Marshall, surrounding townships in the greater Marshall area, Calhoun County

Project Scope: Projects should directly benefit residents of the eligible locations and align with priorities such as community impact, collaboration, innovation, capacity building, workforce development, poverty intervention, youth development, and addressing local challenges.

The funding restrictions for this grant include:

1. Sectarian Purposes: Grants cannot be used for religious activities or purposes.
2. Geographic Limitation: With limited exceptions, grant funds must directly benefit residents of the City of Marshall and surrounding townships within Calhoun County.
3. Duplication of Services: Projects duplicating existing services are less likely to be funded.
4. Non-Eligible Entities: Organizations that do not meet non-profit, tax-exempt, or other eligibility criteria are not eligible for funding.

Requests over  $5,000 with the foundation as the sole funding source will likely not be approved. 

The application components for this grant typically include:

1. Organization Information:

   • Name, address, and contact details of the applying organization
   • Proof of non-profit or tax-exempt status

2. Project Description:

   • Detailed explanation of the proposed project, including goals and objectives
   • Target population and geographic area served

3. Community Impact:

   • Explanation of how the project aligns with grant priorities, such as community benefits, collaboration, and innovation
   • Expected outcomes and measurable impact

4. Budget Details:

   • Comprehensive budget for the project, including funding requested and other sources of funding (if applicable)
   • Plans for sustainability or matching financial resources

5. Supporting Documents:

   • Letters of support or collaboration from partners (if applicable)
   • Any additional documentation that strengthens the application

6. Submission Timing:

   • Applications can be submitted at any time, but should align with quarterly or yearly review cycles based on the size of the request.

The deadlines for the Marshall Community Foundation grant application process are:

• October 1: Letter of Intent due
• December 1: Approval or declination of Letters of Intent
• February 1: Grant applications due
• June 15: Approval or declination of grant requests

The reporting requirements for this grant typically include:

1. Final Report:

   • A detailed summary of how the grant funds were used.
   • An evaluation of the project’s outcomes compared to the stated goals and objectives.

2. Financial Documentation:

   • A breakdown of expenditures, including receipts or other supporting financial records.

3. Impact Assessment:

   • Information on the community impact, including metrics or data demonstrating the project's success.
   • Stories or testimonials from beneficiaries, if applicable.

4. Submission Timeline:

   • Reports are generally due within a specified timeframe after the project is completed or as outlined in the grant agreement.

5. Additional Documentation:

   • Photos, media coverage, or other materials showcasing the project's results (if required).

Grantees should refer to their specific grant agreement for precise reporting guidelines.

The evaluation criteria for this grant include:

1. Community Impact:

   • The extent to which the project yields substantial benefits for the community.
   • The number of people positively impacted.

2. Alignment with Priorities:

   • How well the project aligns with the foundation’s priorities, such as collaboration, innovation, capacity building, and youth development.

3. Collaboration and Efficiency:

   • The degree to which the project facilitates cooperation among organizations and avoids duplication of services.
   • Whether the project strengthens self-sufficiency or operational efficiency.

4. Focus on Underserved Populations:

   • Efforts to support low-income or underserved populations through access to resources, poverty intervention, or food security.

5. Youth Development:

   • Contributions to student performance, teacher training, supplemental programs, or youth mental health.

6. Innovation:

   • The project’s ability to represent innovative or start-up efforts.

7. Sustainability and Resources:

   • The potential for attracting volunteer or matching financial resources.
   • The project’s plan for long-term sustainability.

8. Addressing Local Challenges:

   • Efforts to examine and address the underlying causes of local issues.

Projects are evaluated based on their ability to meet these criteria and provide meaningful, measurable outcomes.