Who is Eligible?

To be eligible for funding, an organization/program must:

• Be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit agency
• Provide services within Hardin County
• Be operated and organized in compliance with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination

We welcome proposals for projects that benefit a broad spectrum of the community or a chronically underserved segment of the population. We look for projects which:

• Address significant community issues
• Present innovative, creative, and practical proposals that build on community strengths
• Present clear work plans that show the ability to achieve the project’s goal
• Focus on strategic innovations that encourage cooperation, create efficiencies and reduce duplication of services
• Develop the leadership potential of the community
• Involve the people served in the planning and implementation of the program
• Demonstrate quality, vision, effectiveness, collaboration and good management;
• Provide a plan for sustainability beyond the funding period

What We Fund

We award grants in the areas of Health and Human Services, Education, Neighborhoods and Community Development, the Environment, Children, Youth, and Families, and Arts and Culture.

1. Health & Human Services

Encompass social service projects that benefit the underserved segments of our community. For example, issues of homelessness, health care, hunger, poverty, and the elderly.

• Empower the underserved to seek solutions
• Promote self-sufficiency
• Programs that focus on long-term approaches to issues
• Provide independence to the elderly and/or to persons with disabilities
• Improve access to health care
• Strengthen the capacity of human service organizations to serve their constituencies

2. Education

Encompass community education projects that serve all age groups and segments of our population.

• Increase literacy and basic skills development
• Develop efforts that address the needs of students who are most at-risk for dropping out of school or not enrolled
• Promote inclusiveness and diversity
• Provide creative approaches to improvement of our educational system.

3. Community Development

Programs that address community development, both social and economic.

• Encourage community responsibility for solving community problems
• Develop leadership opportunities for youth, minorities and the economically disadvantaged
• Benefit the community’s low- and moderate-income population
• Ensure equal-opportunity in housing, services, and economic opportunity
• Build capacity for non-profits and neighborhood organizations

4. Our Environment

Programs that address our natural resources and environment

• Enhance awareness of regional environmental issues
• Encourage responsible stewardship and conservation of our natural resources

5. Children, Youth & Families

Programs that enhance the quality of life for children and youth through opportunities to enhance their intellectual, emotional, physical, and social development.

• Support models that encourage an alliance of shared responsibility and coordination of resources among schools, parents and community-based organizations
• Enhance life options of youth through such means as improved basic skills and development of work, life management, and leadership development skills; and reduction of risk-taking behaviors.
• Support efforts to enhance parental understanding of strategies they can use to improve the educational attainment of their children.

6. Arts and Culture

Programs that increase access to and awareness of arts and culture.

• Encourage participation and heighten awareness in the arts and culture among underserved populations.
• Increase public exposure to and appreciation of different ethnic and cultural art forms.
• Support efforts that encourage life-long learning experiences.

What We Do Not Fund

In general, grants are not made from the Community Grants Program for the following:

• Ongoing project support and operating support
• Annual and capital campaigns
• Equipment, unless it is essential for the program
• Budget deficit
• Endowments
• Individuals
• Recurring funds
• Religious purposes (this does not exclude grants to religious organizations for non-religious purposes)
• Multiple grants to the same organization in the same year
• Grants to organizations which have HCCEF grant projects not completed
• Projectds for memorials, statues, and plaques