Fields-of-Interest Grants

Donor-Funded, Foundation-Guided

Fields of Interest Grants support projects and programs that address unmet charitable needs and unique opportunities in areas including animal welfare and wildlife conservation, arts and culture, basic needs, children and youth, community enrichment, community health, education, and veterans services. These grants are made possible by donors who care deeply about these causes and trust the Foundation to direct support where it’s needed most.

Grant Eligibility

Greater Grand Island Community Foundation awards grants to both private and public organizations. In order to be eligible for a grant, these organizations fit within the following parameters:

  • Organizations classified as 501(c)(3) charitable organizations by the Internal Revenue Service and in good standing. 501(c)(3) private foundations may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

  • Governmental agencies for capital expenditures and/or capital improvements
  • Organizations may only receive one award per 12-month period
  • Organizations denied funding may reapply for a different program or project in the same 12-month period, but not for the same project/program
  • If prior funding has been received, all assigned follow-ups with due dates before the grant award date must be completed and accepted prior to applying for additional funding in any Greater Grand Island grant program
  • The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation serves the greater Grand Island area. Excepting when extraordinary circumstances apply, only programs and projects in Hall County will be considered for support
  • Request must fall within at least one of the Field of Interest areas (see below)
  • All applicants must meet with Foundation staff to discuss their proposed project/program prior to starting the application

Ineligibility

Grants for the following purposes are not eligible:

  • To individuals
  • Religious or political purposes
  • Endowments, capital campaigns, or annual fund drives
  • Fundraising event sponsorships or creation of fundraising event collateral materials
  • Programs that create an indefinite, long-term commitment by Greater Grand Island Community Foundation
  • Request for additional funding for projects/programs that have already been approved and funded
  • For ongoing projects and programs, applicants must address funding for maintenance and operations
  • Incomplete requests

Funding Requests

Requests must fit into at least one of the following categories:

  • Animal Welfare and Wildlife Conservation - These grants promote economic support and development for animals and their homes. They can assist organizations with supporting sheltered or strayed animals and the conservation of wildlife and their natural habitat.
  • Arts and Culture - These grants should strive to stimulate thought, communication, and creativity through programs in the arts and humanities that enhance or develop the common aesthetic spirit through education, creation, or performance.
  • Basic Needs - Nationally, the basic needs approach focuses on addressing poverty and is one of the primary methods used to determine absolute poverty. It attempts to define the resources for physical well-being. Immediate "basic needs" include food, water, shelter, clothing, sanitation, health, and physical and mental well-being.
  • Children and Youth - These grants should help children grow - physically, socially, and intellectually into healthy, mature, and productive adults through programs that ensure all children are supported, nurtured, and protected in their homes and community. Programs should focus on childhood development and the reduction of at-risk behavior through activities, education, and prevention programs.
  • Community Enrichment - These grants should improve community services, promote economic development, and encourage residents to become actively involved in community enrichment projects and programs by providing the training, tools, and resources needed.
  • Community Health - These grants should encourage healthy lifestyle choices that promote healthy behaviors and provide access to the resources needed to build healthy individuals, neighborhoods, and communities.
  • Education - These grants should focus on supplementing the educational system to ensure children have access to the tools they need to build a foundation for life-long learning. The programs and/or projects should help people learn to cope with life's challenges, gain skills to better care for their families, and ensure access to academic and technological opportunities, thus allowing individuals to develop their personal, social, and professional skills.
  • Veterans Services - These grants provide funding for veteran-related programs and projects that are designed to support organizations that offer services and assist local veterans and their families. These services are provided by local organizations and can include rehabilitation, health, education, and much more.

NOTE: The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation rarely funds requests to entirely fund projects or programs.

Evaluation Criteria

The following criteria are utilized by the Distribution Committee when evaluating proposals and making funding recommendations to the Board of Trustees:

  • Submitted application and materials
  • 2030 Vision
  • Current evaluation rubric
  • Knowledge of the organization
  • Prior funding

Preferences

Preference will be given to programs that:

  • Align with 2030 Vision
  • Align with the current evaluation rubric

Have questions or ready to start an application? Reach out to Sara, Program Officer, at 308.381.7767 or info@gicf.org.

Nonprofits

Turning Passion into Purpose.