GRANT ELIGIBILITY 

The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation awards grants to both private and public organizations. To be eligible for a grant, organizations must be classified as either a 501(c)(3) by the Internal Revenue Service or as a governmental agency (for capital expenditures and/or capital improvements).

Organizations may only be funded once in a 12 month period, and, if prior funding has been received, a final grant evaluation must be completed and accepted before applying for any additional funding. The Greater Grand Island Community Foundation serves the greater Grand Island area. Except when extraordinary circumstances apply, only programs and projects in Hall County will be considered for support. Requests must also fall into the initiatives aligned per grant. 

Preference will be given to programs/projects that meet one or more of the following criteria: 

• Reach a broad segment of the community
• Assist those whose needs are not being adequately met by existing services
• Promote cooperation among organizations and are developed in consultation with other groups
• Improve the organization's effectiveness
• Encourage sustainability of the grantee through matching gifts and funding from other sources
• Promote accessibility of programs to include underserved and underrepresented populations
• Show financial and/or in-kind support from multiple sources. Requests to entirely fund projects or programs are rarely funded by the Grand Island Community Foundation 

Grants for the following purposes will NOT be considered: 

• 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 the Grand Island Community Foundation
• Requests for additional funding for projects that have already been approved and funded
• For ongoing projects and programs, applicants must address funding for maintenance and operations
• Incomplete requests

GRANT REQUIREMENTS 

GGICF strongly encourages any nonprofit organization considering applying for a grant to contact the Foundation before beginning an application to discuss the appropriateness of the request. 

GGICF has one standard application for all grant requests that are available through our website. Only complete applications with all questions answered and required attachments will be reviewed by our Distribution Committee. No handwritten, faxed, or emailed proposals will be accepted. 

In addition to providing GGICF with information about your organization and the project and/or program you are seeking funding for, you will be required to attach the following documents: 

• IRS Form 990 for your most recently completed fiscal year
• Audited financial statements for your most recently completed year
• A list of your board of directors that includes their name, office held, contact information, business affiliation, and board term dates
• Your organization's current operating budget
• Most recent IRS Letter confirming your organization's tax-exempt status, if applicable
• Your organization's most recent annual report, if available
• Any additional documents (brochures, pictures, articles, etc.) you feel will help our understanding of your program and/or project

GRANT APPLICATION 

To be considered for funding completed grant applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. on May 1 or October 1.

When the 1st falls on either a Saturday or Sunday, grant applications will be due by 4 p.m. on the following Monday. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline and access to the online grant application is closed promptly at 4 p.m. Grants and all supporting documents submitted become the property of the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation. 

APPLY HERE