Fall Education Grant Fund

The Education Grant Fund is administered by the Russell County Area Community Foundation, a regional philanthropic entity committed to enhancing educational opportunities within the communities it serves. As one of several funding streams offered by the foundation, this program is designed to support initiatives that improve access to, and quality of, education across Russell County and its surrounding service area. It shares the application cycles and general grant policies with the foundation’s broader portfolio, including the Community Impact, Public Health, Disaster Relief, and Youth Activities Grant Funds. This grant program is focused specifically on education-related projects. The foundation encourages applicants to propose innovative programs or initiatives that offer measurable educational benefits. While the foundation is open to a wide range of project types, it does not typically fund general operational expenses such as utilities, salaries, or repetitive annual programs. For schools, in particular, the fund excludes requests for items or services that should ordinarily be funded by the school district, such as textbooks or standard building maintenance. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, government bodies, and religious institutions. Projects must serve the geographic area supported by the community foundation. The foundation allows individuals or ineligible organizations to apply through a fiscal sponsor that qualifies under one of the accepted entity types. All projects must be completed within a year of the grant award, and any unused funds must be returned to the foundation along with a final report and supporting documentation. The Education Grant Fund accepts applications during two annual cycles: Spring (February 1–March 30) and Fall (August 1–September 30). The submission process takes place through the foundation’s Grant Portal, where applicants can also access final report forms. The portal requires applicants to agree to a photo release consent form when submitting media content. Technical support for the application process is available via the foundation’s contact number. Grantees are required to submit a final report upon completion of their project. This report must include receipts detailing how grant funds were spent and photographic evidence of the completed work. The foundation maintains strict guidelines for refunding unused grant dollars and enforces a clear policy on allowable expenses to ensure fiscal responsibility and mission alignment. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly outlined but are likely aligned with impact, feasibility, and alignment with the foundation’s educational goals.

Avoid submitting for regular operating costs or routine district expenses; propose new, one-time projects