How GGICF Evaluates Grant Applications

At the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation (GGICF), everything we do is guided by our vision for a bright and thriving Hall County. But how does this vision translate into action when awarding grants?

Our board has worked diligently to create Vision 2030—a roadmap of goals that reflects our aspirations for the greater Grand Island area. This vision shapes not only our initiatives but also how we evaluate and support projects and programs in our community.

Vision 2030: Building a Better Grand Island

We envision a community that embodies:

• Desirable amenities and an enhanced quality of life for individuals and families.
• Bright futures for young people, encouraging them to build their lives and businesses in the Grand Island area.
• Collaborative partnerships that strengthen the community through cooperation, not competition.
• An inclusive culture where everyone feels a strong sense of belonging.

Turning Vision into Action

These ideals have been translated into an evaluation rubric that helps guide our grantmaking process. Every 2025 grant application—including Greater Impact Grants, Grow Your Impact Grants, and Discretionary Grants  -is evaluated against this rubric to ensure alignment with our vision and consistency in our decision-making.

Why It Matters

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

The Third City Community Clinic (TCCC) knows how to turn goals into action. Established in 1994, TCCC was founded on the principles of inspiring and supporting the community by addressing healthcare gaps. The clinic serves individuals without insurance or those in transition between care.

In 2024, TCCC submitted a Greater Impact Grant application to upgrade their technology to attract more medical volunteers and process patients more efficiently, addressing a critical need in their operations. This initiative aligned perfectly with GGICF’s Vision 2030 priorities of enhancing quality of life and fostering an inclusive culture. With the support of the grant, TCCC implemented their technology upgrades and entered 2025 with renewed momentum and modernized tools to serve their community better.

In addition to this vision-driven rubric, we also utilize a complementary evaluation tool that assesses critical factors such as an organization’s financial sustainability, operational capacity, and the innovation and necessity of its project or program. Stay tuned for our next newsletter, where we’ll take a closer look at how this additional lens informs our grant decisions.

At GGICF, we believe that aligning our grantmaking with our vision is how we turn aspirations into reality. Together with our community partners, we are working to make Hall County a place where everyone can thrive.

If you are part of a private or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, we encourage you to contact Sara Tall, GGICF Program Officer, to learn how your project or program aligns with our Vision 2030 and identify the grant program that best fits your needs.