Hanover Life Squad Fund Grant

The Hanover Life Squad Fund Grant is a community-focused funding initiative supported by the Hamilton Community Foundation. The fund was established in 1999 following the closure of the Hanover Life Squad, which had served for 26 years. Its founding was spearheaded by Joseph B. Pater, owner of Kellin, Inc., who was the only original squad member still in service at the time of disbandment. He was joined by board members Dennis Byrd, Marcia Roemer, Janet Pater, and Tim Roemer. This fund was conceived to honor the legacy and dedication of local emergency services personnel by providing targeted financial support to similar organizations in need. The purpose of the Hanover Life Squad Fund is to support the essential work of local fire departments and emergency medical services (EMS) in Butler County, Ohio. The fund focuses on ensuring that these organizations have the necessary resources to effectively protect and serve their communities. Grant funds may be used for a variety of needs, including equipment purchases, training programs, staffing needs, and operational supplies. The overarching goal is to strengthen the capacity of local Fire and EMS agencies, particularly in smaller and more rural communities. This grant opportunity is specifically intended for organizations that operate within Butler County, Ohio, with a preference given to those based in Hanover, Reily, Oxford, or Ross Townships. Grants are available in amounts ranging from $500 to $10,000. While matching funds are not strictly required, applicants are strongly encouraged to provide matching contributions equivalent to the amount requested, as this may enhance their application's competitiveness. To be eligible, organizations must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit entities as recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. Applications from individuals are not accepted. Additionally, any organization that has received a previous grant from the fund must submit a completed Grant Outcome Evaluation Report before applying for new funding. There is no restriction requiring applicants to wait a full year between applications, allowing for more frequent funding opportunities if eligibility requirements are met. Applications must be submitted through the Hamilton Community Foundation’s online grant management system. All submissions are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on September 30 of the current calendar year. Late applications will not be accepted. Applicants are advised to use current versions of Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browsers for the best experience and to avoid Internet Explorer. Notifications regarding funding decisions are typically issued within one to two months of the deadline via email. For assistance with the application process, applicants may contact Tracy Eads, the Community Investment Officer at the Hamilton Community Foundation. She can be reached by phone at 513-863-1717 or by email at info@hamiltonfoundation.org. Approved grantees must log into their account to sign the grant agreement and may request funds within two years of the award date. Follow-up reports may be required and will be managed through the online portal.

Applicants are advised to use Google Chrome, Firefox, or Safari and avoid Internet Explorer. Applications should be saved often and answers backed up in Word. Review by a second party is also recommended.