The Drayton Area Community Foundation's grant program is designed to support projects and non-profit organizations within a 10-mile radius of the City of Drayton. Affiliated with the North Dakota Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, the Foundation's mission is to build a local fund and annually recommend grants that benefit the Drayton Area. This aligns with their strategic priority of fostering community development through local involvement and support.
Target beneficiaries for these grants include 501(c)3 non-profit groups and government agencies such as schools and park districts, provided they are based within the specified 10-mile radius. The primary impact goal is to serve residents and create an overall positive impact on the community. The Foundation does not make grants to individuals, and grants to religious organizations are limited to non-denominational activities that serve the entire community.
The Foundation prioritizes funding based on several key focuses. These include the merits of each project, the organizational management and integrity of the applicant, and the level of local involvement and community support demonstrated through fundraising and in-kind gifts. A low priority is placed on funding day-to-day operations, and the Foundation generally avoids multi-year commitments. Organizations are also limited to one request per calendar year.
Expected outcomes and measurable results are considered by the Advisory Board through the number of residents served and the overall impact on the community. The degree to which a Drayton Area Community Foundation grant will affect the success of a project is also a significant factor. This reflects the Foundation's theory of change, which posits that strategic investment in well-managed, community-supported projects will lead to tangible benefits and positive transformations within the Drayton Area.
