The Gratiot County Community Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the citizens of Gratiot County through its grant program. The Foundation's mission is to support creative approaches to community needs and problems that will benefit the widest possible range of people, aligning with its strategic priority to address broad community well-being. This grant initiative is a direct reflection of that mission, inviting applications for projects that offer innovative solutions and have a significant positive impact within the community.
The primary target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Gratiot County. While applications from outside the county may be considered, a significant number of Gratiot County residents must be served. The impact goals are broad, aiming for improvements in physical, mental, and moral conditions, as well as addressing needs in community development, arts and culture, environment, education, health and wellness, social services, youth projects, and recreation. The Foundation seeks to achieve measurable results through projects that demonstrate a clear potential for impact and benefit a wide demographic.
The Foundation's priorities and focuses are centered on sustainability, impact, innovation, local involvement, collaboration, and fiscal responsibility. Grant applications are carefully reviewed for the organization's ability to provide ongoing funding for the project after the grant term, the potential reach and number of beneficiaries, and the creativity of the approach. Furthermore, the extent of local volunteer involvement, collaboration with other organizations, and the commitment of the applicant's Board of Trustees or Directors are crucial considerations, reflecting the Foundation's theory of change that community-led, collaborative, and sustainable initiatives create lasting positive change.
Expected outcomes include projects that are well-managed, fiscally responsible, and demonstrate efforts to secure matching funds, ensuring a robust and impactful use of resources. The Foundation typically focuses on program-related expenses, though salaries and operating expenses directly linked to program delivery may be considered on a case-by-case basis. They generally do not fund annual fundraising, operating expenses (unless program-related), religious or sectarian purposes, political purposes, loans, multi-year funding, or completed projects. These guidelines reinforce the Foundation's strategic priorities for targeted, effective, and sustainable community investment.
