Special Project Grants

The Special Project Grant offered by the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County is a funding opportunity designed to support nonprofit and public agencies serving residents within St. Joseph County, Indiana. With an emphasis on community-driven solutions, this grant program is structured as a challenge grant, wherein the Foundation matches each dollar raised by the applicant organization with an equivalent dollar. This model is designed to incentivize local fundraising, maximize the impact of each grant, and foster a sense of shared investment among community members and organizations. Founded with a mission to strengthen and improve the quality of life in St. Joseph County, the Community Foundation is committed to fostering innovation and collaboration among local nonprofit agencies. The Special Project Grant focuses on areas such as community development and urban affairs, health and human services, parks and environmental initiatives, and education and youth programs. It intentionally excludes most traditional arts and culture proposals, instead encouraging those applicants to apply through the separate ArtsEverywhere Grants process. However, if a project primarily relates to health and human services and leverages the arts as a method or tool, it may still be considered eligible for this grant. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and public agencies recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The program explicitly requires that the organization be able to raise the required matching funds—only cash donations qualify for this purpose, while pledges and in-kind contributions are not accepted as matching funds. Additionally, organizations must not have received a Special Project Grant in the previous cycle and must have at least two years of operational history to be eligible. Applications are accepted twice annually, with deadlines on March 1 and October 1. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the submission is due by 9:00 a.m. the following business day. All applications must be submitted through the Foundation’s online portal. Required documents include a detailed project budget outlining sources of revenue and expense items specific to the proposed project, a current board roster identifying officers, and recent financial documentation, including an income statement and balance sheet for the most recently completed fiscal year. An IRS determination letter is required only if it is not already on file with the Foundation. The selection process involves a review by the Foundation’s Grants Committee. Organizations with outstanding proposals may be contacted for additional information or be subject to site visits, depending on the Committee's discretion. Final decisions are made during the Foundation’s board meetings in April and November, following which applicants are promptly notified. Grantees are expected to meet their matching requirements within a 12-month timeframe and are subject to evaluation to ensure completion of the project as described. Grant performance and outcomes play a critical role in the organization's future funding prospects. The Foundation does not typically fund certain categories, including operating support for established programs, endowment campaigns, religious purposes, and various recurring or individual-focused expenses such as travel for groups, post-event funding, and annual appeals. The Foundation prioritizes projects that demonstrate a strong community benefit, promote excellence in nonprofit practice, and foster innovative, collaborative approaches to community improvement in St. Joseph County.