Salem Community Foundation Grant

The Salem Community Foundation, established in 1966, serves the Salem, Ohio community through philanthropic support aimed at improving the quality of life for its residents. The Foundation is a nonprofit entity that manages endowment funds to award grants in several focus areas. It is governed by a Board of Directors that meets quarterly to review grant proposals and approve awards, ensuring alignment with community priorities and charitable regulations. Grants provided through the Foundation are sourced from community endowments, reflecting long-term commitments to the well-being and development of the Salem area. The Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are registered with the State of Ohio Attorney General’s Office. These organizations must provide services within the Salem area and demonstrate alignment with the Foundation’s priorities in the areas of arts and humanities, health and human services, public and community services, and education. Applications are considered based on a demonstrated benefit to the broader Salem community and the potential to enhance existing resources without duplicating services already provided by other organizations. Applicants must contact the Chief Operating Officer, Brittany Maniscalco, at 330-332-4021 before submitting an application. The Foundation offers financial assistance grants through a formal application process that requires submission by set deadlines for consideration during the quarterly board meetings. Grant application deadlines are December 1, March 1, June 1, and September 1 for board meetings scheduled the following month. While the grant application is provided as a PDF form, all applicants are advised to confirm eligibility and scope prior to applying. Grants typically support specific projects rather than operational budgets, endowments, or individual financial needs. Exceptions are only made in rare cases where donor instructions specify otherwise. The Foundation places emphasis on funding requests that demonstrate cooperation among organizations, address unmet needs, and foster long-term sustainability or efficiency. Projects that encourage community matching or are at the final stages of funding are also viewed favorably. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with the Foundation’s goals, reach and impact within the community, innovation, and ability to improve self-sufficiency or eliminate service gaps. The grantor strongly discourages applications for religious activities, general operations, deficit reductions, or federal agency requests. Organizations must be fully tax-exempt prior to applying. In addition to general grants, the Foundation also partners with Kent State Salem Campus to administer the Salem Community Foundation Tuition Grant Program. This initiative provides a 20% tuition discount to eligible students who reside in specific local school districts and are enrolled at the Salem Campus. The next deadline for tuition grant applications is January 27, 2025.

Call the COO before submitting; collaborative or final-dollar projects preferred.