Foundation Accepting 2017 Grant Applications

First Round Applications due February 1
The Foundation is now accepting applications for the first of two 2017 Community Funds grant rounds. These grants support specific projects or programs throughout Marshall County typically focusing on the arts, education, health and human services, recreation and the environment.

Community members who serve on MCCF’s Grants Committee evaluate the grant proposals and conduct site visits during a competitive application process.

“The grants that the Foundation awards speak to the passions and dreams of our neighbors in Marshall County,” said Linda Yoder, Executive Director of the MCCF. “The nonprofit community here is vibrant and cutting edge – something to truly celebrate. The Foundation is proud to be a part of their life-changing work.”

MCCF is also accepting grant proposals for the Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund. Proposals are accepted once each year for this endowment fund that supports environmental, educational, or recreational projects directly related to Lake Maxinkuckee.

Grant applications for both the Community Funds and Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund are due by 4:30 pm, Wednesday, February 1, 2017. Applicants must be organizations with 501(c)(3) IRS status or organizations with 501(c) IRS status whose request is charitable in nature for the following:

        Start-up costs for new programs or the expansion of needed programs 
         One-time projects or needs

The Community Funds at the MCCF are some of the most flexible and responsive of the Foundation’s 340 funds. Earnings from the Community Funds make the biannual grant cycle to Marshall County nonprofits possible. Donations to Community Funds at MCCF from individuals and corporations are always welcome and provide a way to make a permanent investment in the community for ever-changing needs. The larger the Community Funds become, the more in total grant monies may be awarded.

In addition to the MCCF Community Fund, several new unrestricted funds also support emerging needs in Marshall County. These funds include the Barbara and Ralph Winters Community Fund, the Brian and Patricia Kitch Family Community Fund, the C & M Overmyer Unrestricted Endowment Fund, the iAB Financial Bank Community Fund, the John and Kay Finlay Community Fund, the Philip and Sylvia Bieghler Community Fund, and the Paul and Carol Nye Community Fund.

The first grants from unrestricted funds at MCCF were awarded in 1995; since then MCCF has awarded over $3.5 million in total grants to the community from these funds alone. The growth of unrestricted funds now enables MCCF to award more than $190,000 annually in unrestricted fund grants to Marshall County nonprofits on an annual basis.

Apply here.