LENAWEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

GUIDELINES FOR GRANT SEEKERS 

The Lenawee Community Foundation enhances the quality of life in our community through building endowments, addressing community challenges and opportunities, and making grants to not-for-profit organizations. By supporting charitable organizations in a variety of areas, the foundation helps to build a stronger, healthier community.

All grant requests are carefully evaluated, while considering the needs and opportunities in our area, as well as the Lenawee Community Foundation resources. Priority is given to those projects or programs that show potential for providing the maximum benefit to Lenawee community members.

The charitable funds that the Lenawee Community Foundation manages are as varied as the donors. Almost all funds are restricted in some manner, and thus most are not available through the competitive process of submitting a request for funding. Some are restricted to specific organizations, and some are recommended by the donors. Other funds may specify a field of interest, but leave the funding decisions to the Foundation Board of Directors. A limited amount of funds is unrestricted and may be utilized to support a broad range of not-for-profits benefiting the Lenawee County community. All grants are approved by the Board of Directors.

Service Area

The Lenawee Community Foundation geographic focus is Lenawee County, Michigan. Consideration is given to organizations, projects, or programs that provide direct benefit to residents of Lenawee County, or improve delivery of services to the community.

Eligibility

To be eligible to receive grants from the Lenawee Community Foundation, organizations must be not-for-profit, and providing benefit in the areas of civic, cultural, health, education, or social services.

Deadlines/Notification Dates

Because of restrictions placed on many of the distributions from funds held by the Lenawee Community Foundation, specific types of grants are considered one time per year, as follows:

*Since August 1, 2010 is a Sunday, applications will be due on Monday, August 2 at 12:00 noon.

Application Process

Applicants should contact the President and CEO of the Lenawee Community Foundation prior to submitting a request for funding. The President and CEO will offer information about funding history, grant guidelines, and the application and review process. Requests for funding will be reviewed by Foundation staff prior to submission to the Board. All grants will be approved by the Board of Directors.

Funding Strategies

In order to make the best use of available funding, the Lenawee Community Foundation will give highest consideration to projects or programs that:

• Address high priority, identified community needs.

• Have the potential to make sustainable, positive change in the quality of life in Lenawee County.

• Leverage resources through funding partnerships, matching grants, or sharing of other resources.

 • Are creative and innovative.

• Can be sustained without continued funding from the Community Foundation.

• Improve the quality of charitable organizations by means of more efficient or effective operations.

• Encourage collaboration and cooperation among charities, and do not duplicate existing services.

• Encourage volunteerism, civic, or community involvement.

Requests that are Generally not Funded

While the Lenawee Community Foundation remains flexible in addressing many areas of needs within Lenawee County, the following types of requests will generally not be considered for funding:

• Programs or services from outside Lenawee County that do not provide substantial benefits to Lenawee residents.

• Requests previously denied by the Lenawee Community Foundation.

• Grants to individuals except scholarships administered through educational institutions.

• Religious organizations except for those services provided on a secular basis, which are available to persons without regard to religious preference.

• Services which are generally considered to be governmental or school obligations.

• Efforts which will require a commitment for long-term financial support.

Application

Applications will be accepted only from not-for-profit organizations. Organizations should submit the required application, including the cover page, narrative, budget, and required attachments. Applicants should submit one copy by the deadline.

Additional Information

Requests for funding should be mailed to:

Lenawee Community Foundation

P. O. Box 142

Tecumseh, MI 49286

or delivered to:

Lenawee Community Foundation

c/o United Bank & Trust Wealth Management Group Building

603 North Evans Street

Tecumseh, MI 49286

For additional information, contact Sue Hammersmith, President & CEO, Lenawee Community Foundation at 517-423-1729 or by e-mail at shammersmith@ubat.com.

Approved July 26, 2007.