Community Impact Grants
Community Impact grants move our community forward.
Semiannually, our Board requests applications to meet the community’s most pressing needs in the Arts & Culture, Community & Economic Development, Education, Health & Human Services, Natural Resources, and Sports & Recreation sectors.
Following the February 15 and August 15 deadlines, we then study requests, vet organizations, and award grants to the nonprofits best equipped to tackle these important issues in Washington County.
Funding for Competitive and Board-Discretionary grants, such as Community Impact Grants, comes from field-of-interest funds and unrestricted funds, as well as donors who give specifically to the Community Impact Fund. Additionally, grant applications are shared with appropriate fundholders for the opportunity to co-fund projects.
Our Criteria and Considerations
Intended Impact
What is the project’s overall goal? How will the project build on community strengths or respond creatively to a problem? Will the project have influence or repercussions elsewhere in the community? Does the project address underlying causes or symptoms of issues? Will the efforts continue to grow in their effectiveness?
Influence
Who, how many, and for how long will people be impacted? If successful, could it be duplicated elsewhere, or scaled to serve more people? Does the project expand access and opportunities for disadvantaged or underserved communities? Will the project develop a sense of this community as a special place?
Collaboration and Community Support
Has support been stimulated from other funding sources? Will the project increase cooperation and coordination among program providers without duplicating services? Is a cross-section of people involved in the project planning?
Expertise and Track Record
Does the organization’s stated capacity and expertise in leveraging funding match its track record? Does the plan utilize a sound governance and financial model? Will the project make the organization more self-sufficient or efficient?
Terms & Eligibility
Marietta Community Foundation will accept grant requests from organizations designated as tax-exempt according to §501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. Other organizations may be eligible to apply. Contact the Foundation for details.
There is no set minimum or maximum grant amount*. In 2022, the average size of a grant was $3,066, with grant amounts spanning from $5 to $185k+.
Marietta Community Foundation’s Board and staff will consider whether the amount requested is commensurate with the proposal and appropriate for the Foundation’s annual grantmaking target and charitable purposes.
Nonprofits located outside of Washington County, Ohio may apply for funding. However, the project should specifically impact residents of Washington County.
Funding will not be awarded for utilities/overhead budget line items for Competitive and Board-Discretionary grants.
Unless otherwise specified and agreed upon, all grants have one-year terms. Under very limited circumstances, the Foundation may make a multiple-year commitment. It is incumbent upon the grant seeker to demonstrate the necessity or benefit of multiple-year funding in the grant proposal.
There is no limit to the number of proposals a single entity may submit.
The grantee must sign our grant agreement before the award is disbursed.
Apply for a Community Impact Grant
Processing time: 60-90 days
Applications for Community Impact Grants are reviewed twice per year in the spring and fall. Because of the extensive nature of reviewing applications, processing can take 60-90 days. Please prepare accordingly, and respond promptly if we contact you with questions as to not delay the process.
Applications submitted by February 15th at 5:00 p.m. will be considered during the spring grant cycle. Applications submitted by August 15th at 5:00 p.m. will be considered during the fall grant cycle.
How to Prepare
Review our Grant Tutorial Video
Review eligibility, criteria, considerations, and terms (listed above).
What to Submit
Completed Community Impact Grant Application
Please utilize the fillable capabilities of the PDF application rather than completing it by hand
Please submit it as a one-sided document without staples
IRS letter of 501(C)3 determination
List of current board members
How to Submit
Deliver materials to Marietta Community Foundation.
Drop off: 100 Putnam Street Marietta, OH 45750
Mail: P.O. Box 77 Marietta, OH 45750