Hamilton Community Foundation Grant Program

The Hamilton Community Foundation (HCF), based in Aurora, Nebraska, administers a quarterly grant program designed to support unmet and emerging charitable needs within Hamilton County. With a strong commitment to community enrichment, HCF encourages philanthropic investment and fosters collaboration across various community sectors. The foundation’s grant initiative provides financial assistance to organizations that demonstrate clear, measurable impact in service to Hamilton County residents. Funding decisions are guided by a set of general guidelines to ensure fairness and impact, especially given that the number of applications typically exceeds available funding. Eligible applicants include organizations with IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, as well as community groups working on public benefit projects. The foundation prioritizes projects that have a direct impact on the residents of Hamilton County, fill a documented need, and show a capacity to attract public support. A history of successful operations for at least one year is also expected, and applicants must demonstrate that funding from other sources is limited or unavailable. HCF explicitly excludes tax-supported school systems and municipalities, projects requesting over 50% of their total funding from HCF grants, general operating expenses, events, and any entity with unused funds from a prior grant. Grant applications are accepted quarterly, with four application cycles each year. For Quarter 1, applications open on December 1 and close on January 8, with notifications issued during the second week of February. Quarter 2 runs from February 25 through April 1, with notifications in the second week of May. Quarter 3 opens May 25 and closes July 1, followed by August notifications. Quarter 4 opens August 25 and closes October 1, with notifications released in the second week of November. All applications must be submitted online by 4:00 PM on the respective deadline day. The application process is entirely digital, and applicants are encouraged to read the full guidelines and confirm the correct grant type—Quarterly HCF Grant or Women in Philanthropy Grant—when applying. If only one grant type appears on the portal, it indicates that other opportunities are not currently open. Applicants must also ensure that all past grant reports and receipts have been submitted and finalized before applying again, as only one grant per organization is awarded annually. Grant funds may only be used for project costs incurred after grant approval, and successful applicants are expected to complete their funded projects within 12 months. Evaluation is based on the strength of community need, potential impact, organizational capacity, and the project's feasibility and funding justification. The foundation emphasizes prudent fund use, urging applicants to request only what is necessary to complete the project. Funding is often competitive, with some projects denied due to resource limitations. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the Hamilton Community Foundation before submitting their proposals to discuss eligibility and alignment with foundation priorities. For inquiries, the foundation may be reached by phone at 402-694-3200 or via email at [email protected].

Request only necessary funds; avoid applying if unused funds remain from a prior grant.