The Capital Region Community Foundation offers Impact Grants to support strategic, high-impact projects that benefit the residents of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties in Michigan. These grants are designed to foster transformative and sustainable community improvements through innovation, expansion, and collaboration. The goal is not to support ongoing operations, but rather to help nonprofits significantly increase the long-term impact of their programs or services.
Impact Grants are open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities that primarily serve the tri-county area. Projects must meet at least one of the following criteria: significantly enhance the long-term impact of a program or organization, expand services to reach underserved populations, or promote collaboration between two or more nonprofits to address critical community issues. For example, funding might support equipment to improve a food pantry's offerings or the expansion of a successful program to a previously unreached population.
The application process includes a two-step submission: a Preliminary Application, followed by a Full Application by invitation only. The preliminary application window is from April 14 to May 14, 2025, and applicants will be notified by mid-June whether they are invited to submit a full application. The final application window is from June 23 to July 23, 2025, with decisions announced by late September 2025.
A key requirement of the Impact Grant is a dollar-for-dollar cash match, which must be secured before funds are distributed. While the match is not required at the time of application, a clear plan to obtain it must be included in the proposal. The Foundation may consider leadership gifts early in a campaign to help leverage additional fundraising.
Applicants must upload several documents, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets, operating budgets, board member rosters, letters of support, and, when applicable, media assets or construction photos. Operational expenses are not eligible for funding. Projects involving capital purchases or facility improvements must include relevant visual documentation.
The program is administered by the Foundation’s Community Investment Team, which includes Cindy E. Hales, Ed.D., LaToya Turner, and Tracy Russman. For additional support or questions, applicants can contact the Foundation at info@ourcommunity.org or by phone at 517-272-2870.
