Carroll Community Fund Grants

The Carroll Community Fund was established in 1994 to empower residents of Carroll County, Ohio, to contribute meaningfully to their local communities. This fund is dedicated exclusively to supporting initiatives that address a wide range of local issues. It operates under the stewardship of a nine-member board from the Carroll County Foundation, which is affiliated with the Stark Community Foundation. Each year, this board evaluates and awards discretionary grants to nonprofit organizations that work directly in or for the benefit of Carroll County. The fund supports diverse projects that aim to create immediate and positive impacts in the community. It is structured to address local concerns across a broad spectrum while observing specific funding restrictions. Grants are generally not provided for operating expenses of established programs, debt reduction, endowment funds, recognition dinners, or conferences. However, exceptions may be made in critical situations where the survival of a key program is at stake. Preference is also given to arts and recreational proposals that demonstrate community support and utilize existing facilities. Applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities, government entities, or private agencies located in or directly benefitting Carroll County. Religious and private educational institutions may be considered if their proposals meet specific criteria ensuring secular and community-focused intent. Proposals related to computer lab buildouts for schools and annual fundraising campaigns are explicitly ineligible for funding. The fund offers four grant cycles each year—Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall—with applications always open online through Stark Community Foundation’s Grant Portal. The deadlines fall on the first day of February, May, August, and November respectively, with award notifications made in the same month as the deadline. All applications must be submitted through the online portal; no paper submissions are accepted. Grants are awarded based on discretionary review by the board and may be contingent upon certain conditions being met within one year of the award date. If contingencies are unmet after this period, the grant is rescinded. Applicants will be notified of the board’s decisions via mail. Additional information can be obtained by contacting the Grants Administrator, Robyn Guedel, via phone at 234-458-2913 or email at rguedel@starkcf.org. This grant program recurs quarterly, providing predictable opportunities for local organizations to seek support. The next anticipated deadline, based on the recurring schedule, will be February 1, 2026, with subsequent cycles continuing through the year on the same quarterly cadence.