Special Project Grants

The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County offers Special Project Grants aimed at supporting impactful projects across key sectors including community development, health and human services, parks and environmental initiatives, and youth and education. This grant opportunity is part of the Foundation's commitment to improving the quality of life for residents of St. Joseph County, Indiana. The Foundation actively partners with nonprofit organizations in the region to support innovative and sustainable programs that meet pressing community needs. The purpose of the Special Project Grants is to catalyze community-led projects that align with the Foundation's strategic areas of focus. Funding is designed to support special initiatives rather than general operating expenses. Eligible project types include but are not limited to capital improvements, program expansion, pilot projects, or one-time initiatives that address community development, youth services, environmental enhancement, and public health improvement. The Foundation emphasizes measurable outcomes and sustainability in the projects it supports. Eligibility is restricted to nonprofit organizations serving citizens of St. Joseph County, Indiana. This geographic limitation ensures that grant dollars directly benefit the local population. Applicants must demonstrate 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and show that their projects serve the residents of the county. No other types of entities, such as for-profits or government agencies, are eligible. The Foundation requires that grantees acknowledge the Foundation’s support in any public communications related to the funded project. The grant cycle has two fixed deadlines annually: March 1 and October 1. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are due the next business day by 9:00 a.m. All applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online grant portal, which opens six weeks prior to each deadline. Applicants are encouraged to review the grant guidelines carefully before submission and may use the Foundation’s sample budget template when preparing their proposal. Although the Foundation does not require a pre-application step, it does provide helpful resources such as grant writing tips to strengthen submissions. The review process includes evaluation of project alignment with focus areas, expected outcomes, and feasibility. Applicants should prepare detailed project descriptions, goals, budgets, and timelines to ensure full consideration. The Foundation provides contact support for any questions or accessibility needs related to the application process. Program staff are available at (574) 232-0041, and the Foundation’s office is located at 305 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601. Additional communication can be directed to their mailing address: P.O. Box 837, South Bend, IN 46624. There is no mention of a specific individual contact name or email address in the available material. Special Project Grants are recurring with application cycles held every March and October. Based on the current date of 2025-10-15, the next anticipated deadline would fall on 2026-03-03, since March 1, 2026 is a Sunday and the application is due the next business day at 9:00 a.m.