Priority Needs Fund

The Troy Foundation’s Priority Needs Fund was established in 2021 by the foundation’s Governing Board with an initial allocation of $260,000. The fund was created in direct response to findings from a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment conducted by Measurement Resources Company, which identified pressing areas of concern in the Troy, Ohio community. These included public transportation, childcare, mental and behavioral health, and access to affordable housing. To bolster its response, the board committed an additional $385,189 in 2022. Since its inception, over $330,000 has been awarded to programs that address these specific areas, reflecting the foundation's deep commitment to targeted, data-driven grantmaking. The Priority Needs Grants are part of a broader effort by The Troy Foundation to remove systemic barriers to access and improve quality of life for all Troy residents. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that align with the key strategic areas outlined in the needs assessment, particularly those employing collaborative models or partnerships across organizations. The fund prioritizes programs with a clear and inclusive implementation plan that considers diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), ensuring outreach and impact extend to all sectors of the community, including underserved or historically marginalized groups. Applications must address at least one of the following strategic focus areas: (1) enhancing the availability of affordable and accessible public transportation for all residents, especially shift workers; (2) expanding access to state-certified and quality childcare options from infancy to pre-K, particularly for non-traditional work hours; (3) improving access to mental health and behavioral services to combat substance misuse and increase overall community wellbeing; and (4) increasing the availability and quality of affordable housing options, particularly those that address generational wealth barriers and historical discrimination through redlining. Proposals must also demonstrate the use of a DEI lens in their service delivery, and provide data showing how the program will equitably serve Troy’s diverse population in terms of race, age, gender, income, and ability. Applications to the Priority Needs Fund follow the same submission schedule and review process as The Troy Foundation’s general quarterly grant cycles. For 2026, grant application deadlines are February 16, May 15, August 17, and November 16, with reviews taking place the month following each deadline. Applications are due by 4:00 PM on each deadline day. Applicants will be notified in writing of award decisions within 10 days of the Distribution Committee’s review. Accepted applicants must submit a Grant Acceptance Form before disbursement of funds and a Final Report Narrative within 90 days of grant use or project completion. There are no pre-application requirements such as a letter of intent or concept paper. However, applicants uncertain whether their project qualifies under the Priority Needs Fund are encouraged to contact the Foundation’s grants staff for clarification. The fund is open to a wide range of nonprofit organizations serving the Troy area, and grants may be submitted in addition to applications through the regular grantmaking process. The Foundation values collaboration and encourages proposals that involve joint efforts between organizations. Key contact for the Priority Needs Fund is Nathan Kleptz, Grants Manager, who can be reached at (937) 339-8935 or via email at [email protected]. While the grant opportunity itself does not have a dedicated PDF document linked publicly, more information may be obtained directly from the Foundation or by referring to the Priority Needs Fund Grant Information and Guidelines. Awarded projects will be required to report on impact metrics, including the demographics of populations served and success in addressing the identified needs, and may be asked to provide media-quality documentation for reporting and publicity purposes.